Hey guys, this is my first speargun, and I obtained it for free! Would anyone be able to give me any information on it (e.g. gun type, when it was produced, quality, anything really)?
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Info on Undersee Hunter
- Thread starterWodantheWanderer
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
, There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
Hi there. Welcome to deeperblue. That looks like a reasonable gun. How long is it? Have you ever spearfished before? It looks like a euro style gun, maybe the other members could correct me if I'm wrong. I can see that it doesn't have a rail. Which is ok unless you want to target monsters at long range. Since it seems that you are new to spearfishing, it won't be problem.
Where do you live? Where you hunt will usually dictate the type of spearing you'll be doing. So I'll say it's a reasonably good gun for you to start with. Seems like a good length to start put with and to hunt smaller reef fish with. Just a suggestion that is a general suggestion for all new to this sport: i see there's a clip at the bottom of the gun to attach a floatline to. Use it, it will save you the frustration of losing your gun on your first outings.
Hope I could help. Stay safe and happy hunting. Cheers. Mozzie
Where do you live? Where you hunt will usually dictate the type of spearing you'll be doing. So I'll say it's a reasonably good gun for you to start with. Seems like a good length to start put with and to hunt smaller reef fish with. Just a suggestion that is a general suggestion for all new to this sport: i see there's a clip at the bottom of the gun to attach a floatline to. Use it, it will save you the frustration of losing your gun on your first outings.
Hope I could help. Stay safe and happy hunting. Cheers. Mozzie
Hey Mozzie, thanks for the info! I'm not sure what part to measure, but I believe it is 110cm. I am new to spearfishing, particularly with a gun. I have done some polespear fishing and not had a ton of luck, and my future father-in-law had this sitting in his shed and gave it to me. I had a friend outfit it with bands and line. It's in perfect working order and I took it out for the first time yesterday to get a feel for shooting and loading it in the water, which seemed easy enough.
I'll only be taking it off of rocks and around reefs. I'm down in Vic but I will be up in Ulladulla, NSW for a couple weeks over Christmas. So, I will have plenty of time to get comfortable with it. I have all the gear I need ( I think), float, float line (with stringer), knives, wet suit, boots, gloves, fins, gun, positive attitude, etc.
Hi. Ok, that's a good length gun to start with,sounds like you don't have trouble to load it. Yep, sounds like you got all the gear you need to start off with. Let us know how it goes. Post some pics of the fish you shoot. Last words of advice is to dive with a buddy. With a buddy the chance i a shark eats you ishalf and not hundred percent. Hehe. Be safe.
lol. I'll post some pics once I get something! I don't really have a dive buddy but I will have someone to watch from the rocks in case of emergency.
Ok. It's better than nothing. But in the future see if you can get a buddy. It's also more fun to dive with a buddy. Stay safe. Have fun. Mozzie
Cheers again. BTW I contacted Undersee and they think this line was produced 25-years ago. This speargun is nearly as old as me!
That is a older style (prob 20+ years ago) undersee speargun produced here in Sydney, Australia
the closest gun to that they make now is the woodie mark 2.
http://www.spearguns.net.au/speargun_-_woodie_mkii_railgun.html
Its a very basic gun, and compared to modern spearguns won't perform particularly well due to the heavy 8mm spear and thick speartip.
If you changed to a thinner spear it may shoot better.
Once upon a time that was a very good speargun over here.
the closest gun to that they make now is the woodie mark 2.
http://www.spearguns.net.au/speargun_-_woodie_mkii_railgun.html
Its a very basic gun, and compared to modern spearguns won't perform particularly well due to the heavy 8mm spear and thick speartip.
If you changed to a thinner spear it may shoot better.
Once upon a time that was a very good speargun over here.
Yeah, it's a bit clunky compared to the new ones, but it should be fine for a first gun. I can't argue with free!
Am I able to just swap a spear size? Will it still sit as securely? BTW, for reef fishing should I use both bands?
As your going to Ulladulla you're not likely to bump into large pelagic's (Although I have seen some large kingfish at that time of the year on the bomby out the front of the harbour, but its not a species I'd target there). I would buy a couple of prangers for the spear, get rid of the line slide & swage the mono straight to the shaft, use only one loop of mono & not two & use just one rubber. This will make it far more functional for the mowies, trumpeter, wrasse & leatherjackets you'll most likely encounter & have success with going rock hopping in this area.
Sharkey
Sharkey
A few questions:
Why prangers over flopper tip?
Why one rubber? The spear is quite thick and heavy compared to what I see on modern guns. Would it still have enough fire-power?
Would you remove the line slide just to reduce friction?
Ulladulla is still a temperate zone & the fish you will mainly be targeting will be reef fish in the 1-2 kg range. You will not have as many "glancing" hits on fish with a pranger on fish this size particularly with the 5/16 spear you have. A heavier spear is an advantage with a pranger not a disadvantage, you only need to buy a cluster head & not a new spear if you go this way.
You only need one rubber with a 4-1 stretch to get the best out of this set up for reef fish in the 2kg range. I have fished many years of competition with nothing more than one rubber & a pranger. Its not my first choice for some pelagics in the 15-30 kg range but your target fish are going to be in the 2kg range. For interest I have shot & landed many tuna & reef fish well over 50 kg with a pranger, though for this specialist type of spearing I'll have a 6ft & 3/8 spear & 6x 8 inch barbs in the pranger, pushed by three stout rubbers. Its a "stopping" gun when you need to stone the fish & not have them fight, I only mention this because a pranger is an extremely effective spear tip when used in the right situations.
Yes, I would remove the line slide because of friction, also because a double loop is too much & too slow to reload, & a single loop is not enough length. By removing the line slide you get increased range because of less drag & buy swaging the mono to the spear you get the extra length that goes down through the muzzle with the shaft. It's not just a compromise between one & two loops its much more efficient accurate & faster than either.
Cheers
Sharkey
You only need one rubber with a 4-1 stretch to get the best out of this set up for reef fish in the 2kg range. I have fished many years of competition with nothing more than one rubber & a pranger. Its not my first choice for some pelagics in the 15-30 kg range but your target fish are going to be in the 2kg range. For interest I have shot & landed many tuna & reef fish well over 50 kg with a pranger, though for this specialist type of spearing I'll have a 6ft & 3/8 spear & 6x 8 inch barbs in the pranger, pushed by three stout rubbers. Its a "stopping" gun when you need to stone the fish & not have them fight, I only mention this because a pranger is an extremely effective spear tip when used in the right situations.
Yes, I would remove the line slide because of friction, also because a double loop is too much & too slow to reload, & a single loop is not enough length. By removing the line slide you get increased range because of less drag & buy swaging the mono to the spear you get the extra length that goes down through the muzzle with the shaft. It's not just a compromise between one & two loops its much more efficient accurate & faster than either.
Cheers
Sharkey
Awesome Sharkey! That's the kind of info I'm after. Ok, well, I'm going to see if I can get some crimps early in the week, and rig the line to the shaft. I will also stick with one band for now , and when I get up to Ulladulla I'll stop in at the dive shop and get a new cluster head! Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Can you post a photo with a tape/measure laying out beside your gun? The undersea factory is only 500m from my Sydney residence & I could go down & bother the new owner for the old "hunter " dimensions, but I'd prefer if you helped yourself (welcome to spearfishing, we are renowned for our individuality, independence & self reliance in the aquatic world).
I've already posted on how to improve the handle (did you get a blister on your second finger?Hmmm?) & how to rig the mono, but there are few more simple things that can be done to improve this bit of kit, but some measurements would be helpful. Don't listen to the folks who advocate European guns for Aust, they rarely shoot fish over 15 kg.
Cheers!
Sharkey
I've already posted on how to improve the handle (did you get a blister on your second finger?Hmmm?) & how to rig the mono, but there are few more simple things that can be done to improve this bit of kit, but some measurements would be helpful. Don't listen to the folks who advocate European guns for Aust, they rarely shoot fish over 15 kg.
Cheers!
Sharkey
Thank Sharkey, here are some photos. I'm really only just getting used to spearing around Port Phillip Bay at this point. Mostly small, reef, fish. I have read that a smaller spear will help accuracy. I have emailed Undersee about which spears will work in this gun, but have not heard anything back.
I haven't had any issues with the handle. I actually think it is pretty comfy, but I have fairly narrow fingers. I also, took your advice in Ulladulla and used a pranger head with a single band and a single loop of mono. It worked great.
I haven't had any issues with the handle. I actually think it is pretty comfy, but I have fairly narrow fingers. I also, took your advice in Ulladulla and used a pranger head with a single band and a single loop of mono. It worked great.
A longer spear would help with accuracy not hinder it. If you are keen to spend a few dollars then get the same diameter spear (5/16) in spring stainless, & an extra 100mm in length wouldn't hurt either. I'd keep on using a pranger around Port Philip bay & the 5/16 spear is good for this. The spring stainless spears usually come with better loading notches & these can be cleaned up even more with some emery paper to allow a dynema or articulated bridle to be used for the rubber. I'd remove that safety, the gun is safe when the rubber is unloaded. Never use or trust the safety. If you remove the shark clip from the bottom of the handle & attach it with a lanyard behind the handle along the guns centre line, you will have better accuracy as your rig rope won't be inclined to pull the muzzle down when its being towed.
Thats about it really.
Stay safe.
Sharkey
Thats about it really.
Stay safe.
Sharkey
Thanks for all the info again!
Do you know where I could get Spears other than Undersee? I don't remember seeing spring stainless on their site. Would the single rubber be enough to propel a spear that length? And is there any reason that I should go thinner on the spear?
I use the safety only on land to stop the spear coming out if the trigger is bumped in transit.
With the float line, do you mean wrap a lanyard around the grip and behind the trigger, or where should I attach the line?
Is there an issue with the wire wishbones?
I really appreciate the info you are sharing with me.
One last question, any tips on keeping the wood nice? The original finish is non-existent. I have basically just oiled and waxed it.
Do you know where I could get Spears other than Undersee? I don't remember seeing spring stainless on their site. Would the single rubber be enough to propel a spear that length? And is there any reason that I should go thinner on the spear?
I use the safety only on land to stop the spear coming out if the trigger is bumped in transit.
With the float line, do you mean wrap a lanyard around the grip and behind the trigger, or where should I attach the line?
Is there an issue with the wire wishbones?
I really appreciate the info you are sharing with me.
One last question, any tips on keeping the wood nice? The original finish is non-existent. I have basically just oiled and waxed it.
For the timber 2 pack polyurethanes are the best. I have always preferred Sea Hornet shafts for 5/16 spears, a 4'6 " (135o mm) should be right, but you will have to modify the back of the spear using a hacksaw & a good blade. Copy the spear you have now, it looks like its a modified SeaHornet spear already, but just not a spring stainless & a wee bit short. Attach the lanyard around the timber piece between the handle & the but pad, just make sure they are firmly attached in case a large fish tries to swim off with your gun. Wire bridals can fail, & in the worst case they might slice your fingers. A bridle that lays close to your spear is easier to move through the water & less likely to strum, it also gives a wee bit more power. A single rubber is all you will need on that gun. Some day you might need a larger gun but thats not until you want to start to shoot larger fish or get a bit of extra range on really cryptic fish in specific situations. If you stick with it you'll no doubt end up with several guns for very different purposes, but what you have now is an ideal starting point.
Sharkey
Sharkey
Awesome. Thanks, I'll start looking for a new spear and some info on dyneema bridle set ups. Thanks again!