New Spearfisher here

[DJaeger1]

Hi all

Have been looking into spearfishing for a while now with a friend. We live in California in the Norco/Corona area. Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated along with good places for beginners to start out at. Feel free to PM me if there is anyone local that wouldn't mind helping out a couple of rookies hahah.
Been trolling the threads and internet for a while getting info but there is alot to take in.

 

[DJaeger1]

Also .... where is a good store I can buy gear from? is Mako a good beginner gun? Thanks

 

[Oliver Olson]

Also .... where is a good store I can buy gear from? is Mako a good beginner gun? Thanks

Not enough can be said about Mako. Every thing they sell and do is top notch. We just bought their Comp. fins. only 90.oo Nothing even comes close for performance.

 

[Mr. X]

Welcome. As you are in California, I suggest you search for & read posts by forum member Bill McIntyre.

 

[MozSpearer]

Also .... where is a good store I can buy gear from? is Mako a good beginner gun? Thanks

Hi there. Mako seems to be a good make. Haven't had a chance to try one out though. I must tell that Rob Allen is an excellent make. Deadly accurate too. It kinda isn't on cheap side but it will give you a lot of bang for your buck for years to come. No, I don't have a product endorsement agreement with them. I have an old model and its super accurate!!!

Don't know where you can get one where you are. Maybe others know?? That gun will serve you for a long time. I read about a guy who got a HUGE marlin with a 20 year old gun. Hope i was of some help. Cheers

 

[Mr. X]

As well as Mako, Sumora have a good W. Coast website featuring various railguns
Hammerhead & Florida Freedivers (Rob Allen) are other places to explore.

 

[BatRay]

I second the recommendation on Bill McIntyre's posts. He hunts wsb and posts some great trip reports.

 

[Skyblueshii]

Thanks for sharing, I have alot of interest in spear diving.

 

[Mr. X]

Also .... where is a good store I can buy gear from? is Mako a good beginner gun? Thanks

I believe the Mako (USA) is similar to the Rabitech (SA) railguns - I think both are (partially?) made in Taiwan. The Rabitech's are highly rated - as are their SA competitor Rob Allen. I would expect the same of Mako - although haven't seen much feedback on them, they look good to me (the company posts on DeeperBlue sometimes). Railguns are especially good for very large game fish but also work fine on smaller fish.

Are they good beginner guns? Probably wouldn't be my first recommendation to an absolute beginner but I started with a Rob Allen railgun and it was fine. They are used by some of the most experienced spearos in the world but they are not a bad choice for beginners as they are relatively simple & the Dyneema wishbone is more user-friendly than the metal wishbones used by many spearguns. Railguns are typically bigger, heavier & more powerful than typical euroguns. Beginners often obsess about power but actually other factors are often more important in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Now I know why my ears were burning.

When a total beginner asks for advice, I never know where to begin. There is just so much to cover.

I agree with the recommendations for Mako or Rob Allen guns. I have friends who own Rob Allens and they seem to be well built. I haven't laid eyes on a Mako, but I'm sure they would be suitable too. I would think something in the 90 cm range would be a good starter for our smaller fish.

There is no substitute for meeting spear fishermen in person, perhaps over a beer (bought by you). I'm not aware of any clubs out in your area, but the OC Spearos would probably be the closest to you.

http://www.ocspearos.org

Its a relatively young club with members of varying abilities, and it would be worth your while to attend one of their monthly meetings. The club isn't burdened by a feeling that its members invented spearfishing shortly after they walked off the Ark, but it has some very accomplished spearos as members.

Another possibility would be the LA Fathomiers, but I think that would be a longer drive for you.
http://fathomiers.net/wordpress/

Both of these clubs welcome non-members to their meetings.

BTW, my wife trailers her horse out to Norco for monthly barrel racing competitions.

 

[Sidubai]

Hi There,

My first advice before talking about any gear or spots, is to first get educated about the sport and freediving. Get a course first, understand the risks and how to avoid them, learn good techniques and start on proper solid base.
You will go through loads of equipment and make your own choice...All rail guns are pretty similar and all more or less accurate, then its a matter of build quality and local support.

Dive safe and enjoy the blue.

Sid.

 

[tonyeynon]

Hey bro,

Good on ya and welcome to the amazing sport of spearfishing. While some of it is based at the UK, Spearo Hub has plenty of beginners guides and hunting techniques which should help. Good luck buddy