Make me an argument for polespear over gun for beginner

[moose_grunt]

I've lurked the forums off and on for years, as I've flirted with spearfishing and freediving several times, but never stuck with it. Instead, I always ended up scuba diving, eventually progressing to full trimix (300 ft) and rebreather while living in NC. I've moved out to the Pacific (Saipan), and there's no support for that type of diving, so I'm looking for something else to do in the water. Bringing home dinner sounds nice....

So here's my dilemma. I've tried spearfishing in the past, and never stuck with it, out of frustration. I had a cheapo 4' AL polespear while I lived in Okinawa, and never had much success. I could get close, but not close enough. If I got a fish, it was pure luck. Looking to get back into it now, hunting similar reef fish in similar conditions, I'm not sure if I want to try a polespear again, or go straight to a gun. The desire for success (aka bring home at least one or two fish for dinner) and financial considerations play the biggest part in this decision.

I've checked out the local stores, and the cheapest polespear I can get is $60 for a 5ft AL one-piece Seahorse, going up to $140 for the 7ft graphite one-piece Seahorse. On the other hand, I can get a ready-to-go 100 cm Rob Allen Snapper for $270 with full local support. I'm on the fence about which direction to go. I get the arguments for starting with a polespear, but I think a 5ft is going to be just as frustrating as the 4ft that I gave up years ago was. It seems that hunting an open reef with 30-50 ft vis, I'd need the 7ft to stand a chance. The cheapest 7ft I can find here is almost $100.

What advice do the experienced spearos out there have? I'm leaning towards saving my money and getting the Rob Allen, but I'm interested to hear arguments as to why I should I pay the man the money and get a 7ft AL polespear (or pay a bit more for a 7ft fiberglass or graphite model). One of the main arguments I've seen for getting a polespear is economy. At these prices, however, it seems as if that money is better off invested in a speargun. I don't really want to spend almost $300 to see if I stick with it, but on the other hand, I don't want to spend $100 on a polespear that may (likely) get replaced with a gun in the near future.

What say you? Thoughts/comments/suggestions?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Mr. X]

With that kind of (very good) visibility, I wonder if a 100cm RA will be long enough?

There was a video on the Japan thread of somebody successfully using a hand-spear with a slip-tip to fish for large bass - unfortunately it looks like the link is now broken It whetted my interest so I looked into what is available. You can get a few pole spears (here in the UK) for around £22-£25 (~$30-$40 -not cheap but affordable) they are fairly short & basic and probably Chinese made - but perhaps adequate for our often poor visibility? A cheap but decent speargun would typically cost about twice that. But nice pole-spears (e.g. American or Italian name brands) are expensive - more expensive that many very good spearguns - and (so) are not readily available here. Probably worth checking ebay/Amazon to see what is available there.

The simplicity of a pole spear appeals to me but so does the simplicity and convenience of a bandgun. Pneumatics hold little appeal for me. I think to use a polespear well you would need to develop new skills (a good thing) but I live far from the sea so need to make the most of each visit. If I lived near the sea I would get a good polespear (but I'd certainly keep my bandguns).

Have you considered making you own pole-spear?

 

[Okis]

I would go for a speargun and maybe later get a polespear(or even a smaller speargun if the prices are almost the same)for holes. I've just began spearfishing, i live in Thailand and the viz here isnt as good as where you live but still pretty decent. I got a 120cm Rob allen and our monsoon is on its way so been alot rain and winds making the water murky. This made me feel that my gun was way too big for reefhunting but just a few days ago the water went back to normal. I feel lucky i started out with this gun because even if i can get just a few meters away from the fishes im after i am having a hard time with learning to aim and timing my shoots resulting in ALOT of misses.

For example - i spent the two recent days hunting the inshore reef with 2-3 hours in water. I've only been able to bring home one fish during this time, i also got two smaller size parrotsfishes that i cut up in the water and used for for bait and attracting bigger ones but without luck.

I cant imagine the frustration i would feel if i only had a polespear now in the beginning, just using a speargun in clear water for the first time is pretty difficult!

I think a gun around 1100-1200 would be suited better since your water is clearer than mine and then later on maybe even getting a longer one.

I myself will get me a smaller one soon since 120cm is still overpowered for what i hunt right now and im getting paranoid about all these rockshots after i miss.
And i have a polespear arriving next month, but that one will be only for holes.

 

[Pinniped72]

Polespear vs Speargun, both will catch fish but with one your improving your odds. It all depends on your attitude to spearfishing, if you want the best chance of getting fish go with the gun, if your in it more to enjoy the sea and can accept reduced odds of catching fish go with the polespear, if you want to become Poseidon himself, can accept low odds of catching and are in it to get as close to nature as possible, use a handspear There are exceptions I know, but most of us aren't signed by Riffe and have a pole spear named after us..... if only Whatever your choice, dive safe and enjoy.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

With your clear water, you will be much more effective with a speargun. The effective range and accuracy difference is pretty dramatic - especially for clear water.

Generally for reef hunting a 120 cm gun is very popular. Second choice would be 110 cm, and the 130 is better suited for openwater.

If you are trying to keep your costs down, don't forget that you will almost certainly want a reel or a floatline.

Can I also suggest that you take a look at the MAKO Predator Pro 3. Our 120 cm model is $206..

We offer such a low price because I sell direct - with no retail stores - We eliminate the middleman and the local mark up and we hand tie the bands on the day you order the gun and it will be shipped within one business day.

http://www.makospearguns.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MPP3GR

 

[Andrew Fogarty]

Get a twin band 110/120 gun with a 7mm shaft and take home dinner. For the money that Mako represents unbelievable value and would give many years of reliable hunting with very few wounded fish lost.

 

[moose_grunt]

Thanks for all the input. I was leaning towards getting a polespear, but all the advice here convinced me I'd be better off with a proper speargun in the 110/120 range. Now I just need to decide which. Unfortunately, Mako won't ship to Saipan, so I'll probably be getting a Rob Allen 120 from the local shop.

Thanks again, and wish me luck!