modding euro guns

[Craig Thailand]

Hi all,
I am fairly new to the world of spearfishing so please be patient. I am an english guy but i am lucky enough to have been working in Thailand for the past 5 years. Unfortunatly i work 7 days a week unless i ca clear my office work for a weekend at the beech. Anyways i have been fishing on and off for 10 years but nothing like you guys are talking about on this site!!
My mate has asked me to join him on an oil rig in the gulf for a couple of days to shoot some 'big' fish and the problem apparently is my gun. I have just bought a 150cm, twin rubber spear gun the sales rep at the shop said i can put another rubber on it and double the strength. From what i understand this will increase the impact of the spear but not the range. My question is will the trigger mechanism/safety lock withstand the added pressure? Sorry if this is a silly question thats been asked a million times before. Thanks in advance.
Craig

 

[miles]

Hiya

Welcome Craig!!!

Two 16mm bands on most euro guns should be OK. What make of speargun did you get? I'm assuming that it'd be a South African railgun, as very few manufacturers make guns in that length.

Regards
miles

 

[Craig Thailand]

Hi, I have been looking on the net and it is not a railgun. It is made by a company called Champion. It is hard to get good gear here and my cressi that I brought over from England is past its best, hence getting this. It is made in Italy, I have never heard of them before, but it seems like fairly good quality.
One question, apart from adding an extra rubber, should I messure the gun from butt to speartip, like i did, or the barrel? If the barrel alone I would say around 100cm max. I am in the office right now so I cant say until I get home, I also got a small multiplyer reel, then cable tied it to the underneath of the barrel and use 300lb line.

 

[miles]

Hiya

Euro type guns are measured by the BARREL length only. The only Champion grip that i know is made of metal with the safety button on the top of the grip. Would help alot if you could post some pictures or even a link to what the gun looks like. If the barrel is 100cm, then its a fairly small gun. Depending on what diameter spear you have, it might not be a good idea to fit a second band. The thinner spears, which are normally found on smaller euroguns, can't handle the power of 2 bands. The spear will wobble/whip, causing the gun to be wildly in-accurate.

Multiplying reels won't work very well as a speargun reel. They're not designed to operate underwater and will seize up very quickly. Secondly, cable ties are not strong enough. If you can't get a proper spearfishing reel, rather look at a salt water fly fishing reel or if you have access to some tools, make your own reel.

I wouldn't suggest you using a reel though. Rather stick to a normal floatline and float, as there is less chance of you losing your whole rig.

Regards
miles

 

[Craig Thailand]

Well, i didn't realise that it was quiet so in depth. It's a good thing though i really wanted to get into spearing this year so its great. When you say that cable ties are not strong enough do you mean that these fish will rip the reel from the cable ties!? That is a lot of power.
It looks like i am going to have to rethink my modding stratagies, so you would recommend using a saltwater flyreel, it makes sense but i thought the fish would rip it apart, it looks so weak. As you can see i really have no experiance with modding these guns but it is gonna be great learning. Are there any good books that i can get about spearing in general? Thanks for your help so far Miles.

 

[miles]

Hiya

The reel is simply a holder for line. Spearfishing reels generally don't have drag setting like a conventional fishing reel. Its either free or locked up. You don't use a spearfishing reel like a fishing reel. You'd shoot a fish, he takes some line, if it's a reasonalbly sized fish, then you the fish in by HAND. After you've subdued the fish, then only you reel the line back onto the reel.

This is a very good thread on how to rig your gun, adding another band, what knot to use when tying bands, reels, reel lines, etc:
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=64504"]Dummies Guide to Rigging a Speargun[/ame]

Here's another thread on the basic diving equipment needed:
[ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=65300"]Dummies guide to Spearfishing - Part I[/ame]

Here's a article on the BASIC type of spearguns:
http://www.deeperblue.net/article.php/720/41

Books. There is some reading material available, but its highly unlikely that you'd be able to get them locally. Here's a thread discussing some of them: http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?t=64516&highlight=spearfishing+books.

Another invaluable source of information is THIS forum!! We have a diverse selection of talented spearo's who are always ready to help out!! The spearfishing section is very good in answering many of your questions and if you are freediving, the freediving section is THE BEST on the net!!

Happy reading!!

Regards
miles

 

[Craig Thailand]

Thanks Miles, i will give it a read then get back to you before my holiday. So excited im hunting the net for info like a rabid dog on heat! It's been nearly a year since i have been in the ocean, work (real estate) is crazy here in
Thailand now.
Anyways my ozzy mate and I have vowed to get in the water at least twice a month this year, excluding holidays. I know it sounds like nothing but when you live 250k from the nearest worth while spearing spot and get one day a week holiday it seems like alot more.
Thanks again, Craig