I have been spearing quite successfully with a 75 for the last few years and have bagged plenty of fish. However on the days when things get tough and you only get a few distant glimpses I find I could do with an extra couple of feet range. I'm looking at a 100 thinking it would give me that range but at what cost?
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Is a 100+ gun overkill in cornwall?
- Thread starterTeamchilds
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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I love the accuracy of longer guns BUT.. they are slower to track.
For me I find rather than range being an issue I am often in a situation where the fish appears to my side and i need to track the gun quickly. This was the main reason for my decision to buy the XXV Gold (90cm). It has a smaller dia barrel so IMO tracks quicker. There is a long thread on this gun if you search!
It depends on if you are happy with a rack of guns where certain ones do not get used frequently. Sure I reckon you'd use it but maybe not as frequently as your 90, or your 75.
Its ok to have a Quiver
.. but as I have stated before if you stick to the same brand and colour your wife / girlfriend will think you only have 1 rofl .. :friday
For me I find rather than range being an issue I am often in a situation where the fish appears to my side and i need to track the gun quickly. This was the main reason for my decision to buy the XXV Gold (90cm). It has a smaller dia barrel so IMO tracks quicker. There is a long thread on this gun if you search!
It depends on if you are happy with a rack of guns where certain ones do not get used frequently. Sure I reckon you'd use it but maybe not as frequently as your 90, or your 75.
Its ok to have a Quiver
.. but as I have stated before if you stick to the same brand and colour your wife / girlfriend will think you only have 1 rofl .. :friday
I've no experience in english waters, but I reckon that 90cm is much popular among english spearos, while 100 + is not as much popular in the UK. There must be a reason, of course: follow the main stream and you can't go wrong.
Out of geography, anyway, you'll realize what a significant increase in shooting range you may get switching from a 75 to a 90.
Try a 90 for good visibility and keep the 75 for short visibility and narrow rocky bottoms. This is my humble suggestion.
Out of geography, anyway, you'll realize what a significant increase in shooting range you may get switching from a 75 to a 90.
Try a 90 for good visibility and keep the 75 for short visibility and narrow rocky bottoms. This is my humble suggestion.
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Thanks for the speedy reply
I would like to still be able to track sideways quicker. I was looking at the hf2 as well as the xxv, would they in a 100 get the best of both?
I would like to still be able to track sideways quicker. I was looking at the hf2 as well as the xxv, would they in a 100 get the best of both?
I haven't tried the HF2, but the XXV gives its best in the 90 length, I can say for sure: perfect mix of decent range and great manouverability.
For a 100 or longer I'd get a gun to be slightly more "massive", to endure recoil and keep stable in favour of long, sniper shots. Seatec Snake 100 comes to mind: massive and stable, but still sweet tracking for such a lengthy and massive gun...
But, again, why not a 90?
For a 100 or longer I'd get a gun to be slightly more "massive", to endure recoil and keep stable in favour of long, sniper shots. Seatec Snake 100 comes to mind: massive and stable, but still sweet tracking for such a lengthy and massive gun...
But, again, why not a 90?
If you like airguns, the Mamba does seem to cover all the bases on paper. But there is more to airguns and Mambas than that. I will say no more
A 90 bandgun would give you 5x 15cm = 75cm (or 70cm for an XXV) more range than a 75cm gun -- about 2.5 feet, the couple of feet of extra range you are looking for. A 100cm gun would give you about 125cm / 4ft more range
My 2 cents: I think a 100cm gun would probably be fine for Cornwall. Your own experience is the important thing though - you know where you dive and what the conditions are like. Although the vis. I had diving on the Lizard was not that great, I know that the sea can often be very clear in Cornwall. I was surprised when Ickledevil said that he used a 110cm gun in Dorset one day. I dived the next day with my new 75 but wished I had my old 90 as vis. was unusually good - certainly anything of 90-120 would have been quite reasonable that day (it wasn't fishy tho').
I'm not sure why Spaghetti has such a thing against the Omer XXV in 100cm, esp. as UK fish are usually not so big. I have the XXV 75 & 90 & would happily get a 100 if diving in the Med. more than a couple of times. Perhaps the more substantial Cayman handle works better on the longer sizes? I'd be happy to use an XXV 100cm in Cornwall, although I think a 90 (or 82) would get more use as an everyday gun.* I've never experienced recoil as an issue on either of my 90cm guns - so would be surprised if the 100 would be much different. Also, the XXV uses a 5cm shorter spear than most spearguns, its overall length would be more like 95cm with the power & range of a 100cm eurogun. With the slim, light barrel & spear (25mm & 6.3mm respectively), I would expect that its turning moment (& power) would be comparable to my 90cm RA railgun.
Personally, I find trying to track with a 90cm barrel frustratingly difficult/slow. There are probably techniques that help reduce drag but I am having a lot more fun with my 75 currently. Perhaps using a longer barrel is less about tracking and more about anticipating the path of a fish and having them come to you/cross your path?
*If I were allowed only one gun for Cornwall, it would be a 90 or 82cm gun. If I were allowed only one gun for Devon it would be an 82cm gun. For Dorset, a 75cm gun (although would be happy enough with a 70 or 80).
A 90 bandgun would give you 5x 15cm = 75cm (or 70cm for an XXV) more range than a 75cm gun -- about 2.5 feet, the couple of feet of extra range you are looking for. A 100cm gun would give you about 125cm / 4ft more range
My 2 cents: I think a 100cm gun would probably be fine for Cornwall. Your own experience is the important thing though - you know where you dive and what the conditions are like. Although the vis. I had diving on the Lizard was not that great, I know that the sea can often be very clear in Cornwall. I was surprised when Ickledevil said that he used a 110cm gun in Dorset one day. I dived the next day with my new 75 but wished I had my old 90 as vis. was unusually good - certainly anything of 90-120 would have been quite reasonable that day (it wasn't fishy tho').
I'm not sure why Spaghetti has such a thing against the Omer XXV in 100cm, esp. as UK fish are usually not so big. I have the XXV 75 & 90 & would happily get a 100 if diving in the Med. more than a couple of times. Perhaps the more substantial Cayman handle works better on the longer sizes? I'd be happy to use an XXV 100cm in Cornwall, although I think a 90 (or 82) would get more use as an everyday gun.* I've never experienced recoil as an issue on either of my 90cm guns - so would be surprised if the 100 would be much different. Also, the XXV uses a 5cm shorter spear than most spearguns, its overall length would be more like 95cm with the power & range of a 100cm eurogun. With the slim, light barrel & spear (25mm & 6.3mm respectively), I would expect that its turning moment (& power) would be comparable to my 90cm RA railgun.
Personally, I find trying to track with a 90cm barrel frustratingly difficult/slow. There are probably techniques that help reduce drag but I am having a lot more fun with my 75 currently. Perhaps using a longer barrel is less about tracking and more about anticipating the path of a fish and having them come to you/cross your path?
*If I were allowed only one gun for Cornwall, it would be a 90 or 82cm gun. If I were allowed only one gun for Devon it would be an 82cm gun. For Dorset, a 75cm gun (although would be happy enough with a 70 or 80).
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I dont know if there is ever going to be one gun for all occasions - hunting in the weed might not require a long gun but long guns tend to be more powerful. A powerful gun can send the spear clean through a fish at close range, once this happens there is very little chance of the fish escaping. short guns are more maneuverable but have less power & a fish with a spear stuck in its body can easily rip a big hole & escape.
Twin bands on short guns give huge recoil & restrict the tracking, a 90 is a very well established gun for the UK & a 75 very useful - lets face it most of us own more than one gun!
Air guns without a dry barrel system are powerful but not very nice to fire because of the escaping air & recoil. On the other hand dry barrel air guns (mamba) are very very powerful & have very little recoil, in other words are a joy to fire!
Visibility is another issue, in open water a single band 100 is going to be very useful if the water is clear.
So many variables I suggest you start a collection like the rest of us
Twin bands on short guns give huge recoil & restrict the tracking, a 90 is a very well established gun for the UK & a 75 very useful - lets face it most of us own more than one gun!
Air guns without a dry barrel system are powerful but not very nice to fire because of the escaping air & recoil. On the other hand dry barrel air guns (mamba) are very very powerful & have very little recoil, in other words are a joy to fire!
Visibility is another issue, in open water a single band 100 is going to be very useful if the water is clear.
So many variables I suggest you start a collection like the rest of us
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re. power & piercing. I've had the 6.6mm spear of my RA 90 bounce off two unusually big fish; I was using a 20mm rubber the second time. I wonder if the slimmer 6.3mm spear of the XXV might pierce more easily - less mass but perhaps a finer point & more speed?
Or perhaps the answer is a shot angled from behind, to go under/between the scales/gill plate.
A couple of years ago Spearo Dave mentioned using a 120cm speargun in Cornwall but only at one specific location.
Or perhaps the answer is a shot angled from behind, to go under/between the scales/gill plate.
A couple of years ago Spearo Dave mentioned using a 120cm speargun in Cornwall but only at one specific location.
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TC i have an HF2 90 which i get on very well with. It's not easy choosing a second gun, justification, etc, but a 100 HF2 sounds pretty good. my first gun for night and low vis is a beuchat 75, for me the 2 guns make a good combi. I suppose how much you need the extra power/length depends on what fish you're hunting and how close you generally get?
must admit i'd have looked into a mamba if i thought i could load it, look after it, etc.
must admit i'd have looked into a mamba if i thought i could load it, look after it, etc.
I bought a cayman carbon 110cm last year and used it in sussex when the viz was good and the bream were in. Had some great fun with it and shot a lot of fish which would have been out of range otherwise. The cayman carbon is a superb gun and I have been very impressed with it.
It is very difficult choosing a second gun but if like me after spearing for a number of years the buying of guns becomes part of the enjoyment of the sport you end up with an arsenal to choose from. I have guns ranging from 68cm (hole gun with a titanium trident, through a couple of 75, 80, 90 (wooden from totensum, superb gun) to as mentioned 110. Of course all the guns in the world won’t make you a better spearfisherman only practice will do that.
Kev
It is very difficult choosing a second gun but if like me after spearing for a number of years the buying of guns becomes part of the enjoyment of the sport you end up with an arsenal to choose from. I have guns ranging from 68cm (hole gun with a titanium trident, through a couple of 75, 80, 90 (wooden from totensum, superb gun) to as mentioned 110. Of course all the guns in the world won’t make you a better spearfisherman only practice will do that.
Kev
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I use a Mares Cyrano 850 (85cm) airgun for nearly all my hunting, and a Rabitech 100cm for a back-up gun. I find that the Cyrano is way easier to track with, short enough to go poking into holes and through weed etc, and the range is only 2-3" less than the considerably longer Rabitech. The Cyrano packs a heavier punch too, and I don't have a Mamba kit fitted yet. Go on......join the dark side.
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Thanks for all your help
I have gone for a HF2 100, I really want the extra range and I can always take the 75 when the vis is poor. The HF2 will hopefully deal with the recoil better than the XXV. I will let you know how I get on, although that may be a while looking at the swell this week.
I have gone for a HF2 100, I really want the extra range and I can always take the 75 when the vis is poor. The HF2 will hopefully deal with the recoil better than the XXV. I will let you know how I get on, although that may be a while looking at the swell this week.
rofl I remember getting my first gun. Long before finding the forum!! I bought a 90cm Comanche for no reason other than my mate had just got a 75cm Beuchat and I wanted a longer one :t
I think your first gun influences your position on choice and preference. Even in my local soup if I had only one gun it would be a 90cm not the frequently referenced 75cm.
enjoy the new gun :inlove
I think your first gun influences your position on choice and preference. Even in my local soup if I had only one gun it would be a 90cm not the frequently referenced 75cm.
enjoy the new gun :inlove
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Good choice, it's very easy to handle even in that lenght and so well balanced in water!I would say a stunning gun considering its price!
Hi Mr. X
Interesting to hear that a 6.6mm spear bounced off a fish. I use 6.7mm Rabitech stainless spears (basically the same thing) just that I change the tri-cut tip to a bullet shape - I find that the tip remains sharp longer and I have driven that spear through a 14kg black musselcracker (they have scales as hard as a person's nails and the size of a 1 euro coin) using single 18mm Omer Energy rubbers. Those who have shot these fish before will know that they do not swim right up to you!
I personally have never had a spear bounce off a fish! Sometimes I had shot fish too far and all one sees is a pin prick (the spear would have passed through but you feel the jolt of the line running out).
I like the spears with recessed barbs but no-one in SA makes them so I use what we can get! I have an OMER 7mm one and the penetation is really impressive! Perhaps this may be an option if your spears are bouncing of your fish.
Cheers
Interesting to hear that a 6.6mm spear bounced off a fish. I use 6.7mm Rabitech stainless spears (basically the same thing) just that I change the tri-cut tip to a bullet shape - I find that the tip remains sharp longer and I have driven that spear through a 14kg black musselcracker (they have scales as hard as a person's nails and the size of a 1 euro coin) using single 18mm Omer Energy rubbers. Those who have shot these fish before will know that they do not swim right up to you!
I personally have never had a spear bounce off a fish! Sometimes I had shot fish too far and all one sees is a pin prick (the spear would have passed through but you feel the jolt of the line running out).
I like the spears with recessed barbs but no-one in SA makes them so I use what we can get! I have an OMER 7mm one and the penetation is really impressive! Perhaps this may be an option if your spears are bouncing of your fish.
Cheers