input needed on gun choice PLEASE!!!

[loneranger]

New to spearfishing. i just bought the JBL XHD 53" sawed off Magnum for everyday spearing. im looking for an open water gun and really like what i see on the Mako Oceanic pro 120 Blue Camo. (never seen one in person) would this be a good choice or would i be better going with something else??? Opinions PLEASE!

 

[fishimani]

I have tried quite a few brands of speargun for my more "open water" endeavors... personally i prefer a 120com rob allen for a good starting gun without breaking your budget. Dead accurate and very durable gun (i get tossed onto coral reefs and dragged by large pelagics often (not as often as i would like sometimes:t) but rob allen has always been a good brand for me. If you are willing to upgrade your arsenal i would reccomend riffe euro guns or any riffe gun for that matter....but the comfort and quiet of a riffe comes at a hefty price tag. I hope this was a little helpful and good luck!!!

-Pete

 

[fishimani]

One word of caution... be careful with those damn metal wishbones on your JBL....they can take your friggin finger off...:blackeye......trust me.

-Pete

 

[loneranger]

Yep...already been warned about the wishbones. plan on changing those REALLY QUICK! lol thanks

 

[thedodd]

I have the Mako Oceanic Pro 110. its a sweet gun and ive used and seen the Rob Allen and the Rabitech which have alot of simliar characteristics. I liked the Mako alot more so i bought that one. The Rob Allen has no loading pad and if i am remembering correctly is closed muzzle. I also don like the RA shafts as much, Mako's new low pro shark fins cant be beat. The rabitech is more similar but has more plastic parts and a stick on rail. I got the green camo and it came looking way cooler than i even expected and im shure the blue will too. The Customer service is the biggest decision maker to me, Dano is like talking to a spearfishing buddy ask him any question and hell make shure and get you the right gun.

 

[thedodd]

I really like the trigger mech and handle too note the loading pad, a big plus especially on a 120

 

[loneranger]

which reel is that dodd??

 

[pylon]

whats wrong with the metal jbl wish bones ? ive used my jbl mini magnum with no issue this winter. like loneranger though i wanted a bluewater gun and ended up with a jbl 450 magnum xhd . i plan on changing the muzzle to a gulf style though . should i plan on changing the bands while im at it too ?

 

[loneranger]

love the XHD sawed off Magnum, but i have heard more than one person warn of the metal wishbones breaking and taking a finger off with it. the dyneema cord like that is used on the mako guns are much safer if they break. im a new spearo but i know its hard to pick your nose with missing fingures! lmao!

 

[hteas]

For the last 10 years I have only used my Rob Allens. The 90 has a a open muzzle, the 100 has an open muzzle cut down from a closed, the 110 has a Hammerhead muzzle, and the 130 has an old closed muzzle (so far). I see no need for anything else, except for my pole spears.

 

[thedodd]

The reel is the annodized blue aluminum reel from mako with 140 ft of high viz line. the reel is much nicer than the plastic reel they offer (used both) and the billet reel handle is spring loaded and folds in to reduce drag.

 

[thedodd]

i have a jbl sawed off mag with metal wishbones as well and im not so happy with it. however adding a shark finned tab shaft and dynema wishbone bands is a valuble upgrade and does alot for that gun.

 

[thedodd]

whats wrong with the metal jbl wish bones ? ive used my jbl mini magnum with no issue this winter. like loneranger though i wanted a bluewater gun and ended up with a jbl 450 magnum xhd . i plan on changing the muzzle to a gulf style though . should i plan on changing the bands while im at it too ?

I dont know what you mean by gulf style? maybe (open muzzle) I would change those bands no matter what. they arent so dangerous when there new or atleast a season old. in my experience but they are noisy. loud enough to clear a reef. i got more out of my jbl by dropping down to two 16mm dynema wishbone bands. more range and better acc.