Pnumatic for hole fishing ?

[devondave]

A couple of years ago I moved from my native westcountry , to Bromley :head. This meant my nearest spearing destination was the Sussex coast .
Here , I've had to develop a different style of fishing to that used in Devon and Cornwall , no more lying around waiting for something juicy to turn up ( aspetto ) or sneaking through the stringweed indian style ( can't remember the name for that one ) .
Instead , it's hole fishing or searching around and in stuctures , also looking for flatties on the seabed .
Now I have decided my guns are too long for this type of fishing , first I thought of a 60 or 65cm band gun , but lately I felt myself being drawn to the darkside .
Of course I blame the insidious influence of the Dark Lord Foxfish for this state of mind , ( look dear , it's not my fault I need another new gun , I've been corupted by forces beyond my control ) .
I have three questions about pneumatics and please bear in mind I've never even fired one .
Is a pneumatic suitable for hole fishing ?
Is there a pneumatic that can double as a hole gun and also replace a 75cm band gun ?
Finally , can I have one of the new OMER Airbaletes , I mean , would it be suitable ( please say yes ) :inlove .
Thank you in anticipation .
Regards ,
Dave .

 

[foxfish]

Short air guns are really easy to Load but have very limited range so pretty much perfect for hole hunting.
They are even better for hunting flatties because you can grab the gun around the barrel when hand spearing them.
The longer airguns say 90 + are best fitted with a dry barrel system so you can shoot long range that is unless you can justify £260 + for the airbaletes?

 

[spaghetti]

Short pneumatics are THE gun for hole fishing: pack loads of power in a small weapon.

Get one with power reducer: you push a button and temporarily reduce power to shoot into rocky holes, so you won't destroy your tip or bend your shaft against the wall of the hole. Then you can switch back to full power for shooting in open water).

Mares Medisten (70), Mares Spark 70, Asso 65, Cressi Sl 70, all with power reducer.
The new Omer Airbalete is tempting, but the shortest one is 80, a bit long for holes.
I also would not shoot a Mamba into a hole: you don't need extra velocity for hole fish, and you can damage the Mamba thingies by shooting against the rock.

Cool discussion here:
http://forums.deeperblue.com/american-spearguns/66020-specialized-guns.html
(BTW: a 55cm or 40 cm is even better for hole than a 70, but a 55 and 40 have a very short range for open water: less polivalent than a 70).

 

[devondave]

Thank you guys , only on db can you post a question and get the two best experts around replying in minutes .
So , a pnumatic ( pnuematic ? ) it is .
Discovered an Airbalete costs £325 from Apnea , have to think about that one .
( Umm Airbalete , £325 , umm Airbalete , £325 ... )

 

[Old Man Dave]

I agree. Pneumo's are great hole fishing guns. I used a 60cm for years to blast congers, wrasse etc. One big advantage of an air gun is you can fire it right next to your head, ie when you stick your head in a hole and have the gun next to you. Don't try that with a rubber gun, as you'll have no ear left.

I miss the old air gun but just don't fish like that anymore so...

Dave.

 

[devondave]

Ha ! Three best experts around ...

 

[popgun pete]

A Mares Ministen or Miniministen makes a good hole gun, the Ministen has the power regulator while the Miniministen is only single power.