Need Help with Rob Allen

[gmata]

Hello at first i was thinking about buying a Riffe Euro Gun but i just read a review and i got a bit disappointed of the performance.

Some body suggested me to try the Rob Allen guns, I’ve heard a lot of good things about them but i don't know anything about them.

can anybody please tell me what are the pros and cons of the Guns, i was looking at the Rob Allen Double Band Vecta 120cm for use in both Reef and Blue water.

does anybody knows how is that gun set up? what kind/ size of bands, shaft etc. for some reason i cannot log in into Rob Allen website.

Thanks

Gonzalo

 

[marginatus]

I have one of those.
the shaft is 1.40 m
the bands are: 19mm: 75 cm and for 16mm: 65 cm

pros: accurate, long range, rail, tri-cut spear tip, non screw bands(circular bands - cheaper to replace)...
cons: not suitable for near rocks shots because it't so powerfull that will ruin the spear tip and/or spear.

if you have any more questions... i'll try to answer and some other menbers will join in

 

[gmata]

whats the thickness of the Shaft?

would the 120cm be a good gun for both reef/bw hunting?

is there anyways i can use a break away tip for this gun?

thanks

 

[Marwan]

gmata,
looks like you're tempted to buy "one gun for all types of hunting" my advice is it doesnt work.. i have a 120 rabitech, theoretically its good for both reef/bw hunting, but in reality when you hunt around reefs, the gun would be an overkill for most f the fish, youd be better off with something like 90-100 for reef, 120+ for blue water, if you could afford only one gun, buy the one that would suit the conditions you hunt in most of the time (i.e 90-100 if most of your hunting is around reefs)
that said you need to factor in the vizibility, if you are hunting in murky waters, the 90-100 could be unsuitable and you need something shorter like a 75 or even a 60, the size/species of fish is also another determing factor..
i would say if the vizibility permits and most of the hunting is around reefs/caves, you should be fine with 75-100 cm gun, go with a 120 or even longer if vizibilty permits and you hunt mainly blue water.
if budget permits get both
happy hunting cheers

 

[gmata]

Visibility is not a problem here in Baja Mexico .

what about 110cm? you said 100 for reef 120 for BW.

In reefs i like to hunt parrot fish wish have extremly thick skin, i used to shoot them with a JBL and the shaft would bounce whener i shot them.
One time i shot one and the shaft bounced off his head fortunetly the shaft hit it right in the brain killing the fish instantly, the fish just started floating, thats what i call a clean shot, No blood at all! But again that was a JBL!

i would love to buy 2 guns, i think im going to get a RA 120cm and Omer Excalibur 2000 100cm wish is alot cheaper.

What do you guys think?

Thanks Again!

Gon

BAJALIFE

 

[Marwan]

youre on the right track my friend
of course you could think carbon, which is more expensive but a lot nicer underwater as it is very light and manouverable...
you'll enjoy both more that way.

 

[gmata]

so how do you like your rabithech?

or should i go for the RA ?

 

[IB Boyd]

Hey Gmata, I live "up the street" here in San Diego. I have RA 90, 120 and 140's. If I could have only one, I would get the 120. I havent speared Baja yet, but the 120 is a pretty good choice for San Diego area if you are diving the bluwater edge of the kelp/reef(which I do) a lot...also as long as you arn't shooting directly into rocks. Buddy of mine has whacked numerous Leaopard grouper with his 120. My 120 has proven to be effective on Calico, WSB and yellowtail. I would say maybe go 110-100 if your shore diving a lot, and save up for a second biger gun 130-140, for biger fish/bluewater.
Good hunting,
Boyd

 

[Ted Budion]

Boyd is right. I dove in your area with RAs. My take is that the 120, even a 110 with a 7 mm shaft would be excellent for everything, except shorter (3 m from tip) range reef shots and strictly bluewater hunting (wahoo, billfish and tuna). If you use two 16 mm bands instead of one 20 mm, you can overcome the former shortcoming by unloading one band before shooting. I personally prefer to squeeze the band from underneath if the shaft has just one notch/pin, or load the band on the first notch/pin (from muzzle back) if it has two of those. But beware of gear-busting big pargos, though.

For strictly bluewater, IMHO you're better off with a 140, two 16 mm bands, 7.5 mm shaft, ballasted muzzle, two wraps of good quality 2 mm mono and breakaway system.

 

[gmata]

Hey thanks alot

I Just got Myself a Rabithech Stealth 110cm

sould be perfect to get some Pargos And Cabrillas.

 

[Ted Budion]

should be perfect to get some Pargos And Cabrillas.

Indeed, cabrillas, coconagos and pargo amarillos, raiceros and small pargos dientón, no sweat. Dientones bigger than 10 kg, you must place your shot very well and close. Bayas, hmm, maybe not. Pez fuerte, yes, but always use floatline and good float.

 

[gmata]

Excellent, now i just need to wait 2 more months to finish my deployment with the Us Airforce, so i can go to Baja.

 

[mjacobs]

How do you go about getting a 19 or 20 mm band inserted into the muzzle on a RA? I'm experiencing some difficulty changing to a thicker band than the 16mm. Insights welcome.

 

[Ted Budion]

You have to wet the rubber (water is fine) and strech it out (making it thinner), and it will come out or slide in easily.

 

[hauletime]

I am looking to buy a second RA bluewater gun. I currently have a 75CM, and I am interested in hunting Tuna, and Mahi Mahi. I have already puchased 100 feet of leader line and a 5 foot bungee to attach to a float. The Hanna Pa guy said I need to spend 500 USD + minimal. I usually hunt in Oahu, Hawaii where there is a shortage of stupid large fish. Could anyone make a recommendation on what size, or just go with another gun?

Best