SK boy, new to the sport, confused as every about guns

[Big Tom]

Story goes totally new to the sport, and I mean green never even held a spear gun. But, brother and I always loved going out swimming for hours at our cabin at Diefenbaker lake in Saskatchewan and many many times have talked about getting into spear fishing, and I found a buddy of mine who's got his diving cert and wants to go also so with 3 guys it's a go.

So I've been looking for finding a decent all around gun, likely have to order 3 in the end, but checking out the local dive shops yeah all they carry is JBL and being I live on the US border I can easily get stuff shipped South and save 50% or more from the local stores.

So I started looking, and pretty much was sold on the JBL Woody 38-Special which I could have brand new for like $180 - $200 Canadian shipped to my door... but then I started reading and of course hear nothing but bad about JBL and to basically avoid it like the plauge.

Now I don't know which way to turn, I mean I need a gun that does an alright job, I'm not looking for spearing tuna or anything crazy likely it's going to be the typical Pike/Walleye/Burbot in the less the 10lbs range and distance in SK I guess talking with a few shops we have to have the line a max 16' and talking with some local guys usually no further then 10' shots

So, what's some decent options? I don't want to blow piles of cash since I am new to the sport, but I don't want to buy something that's crap and won't last.

 

[Old Man Dave]

Welcome to DB Tom. Erik's the man in Canada (no offence to the others though). If he doesn't spot your post try a pm (private message).

Dave

 

[Erik]

Welcome sir, from sunny and frozen Edmonton.
We have all been in your shoes, and hopefully we can save you some $$ and poor choices.
JBL are not ALL that bad, but there are better precision instruments, especially for shooting smaller fish ie: 1 to 10 lbs, which is mostly what we get up here, yes?
OMER, SPORASUB, and other Euro guns are well-priced and very well built and accurate. Are you freediving/snorkelling, or on SCUBA? I recommend freediving for a few reasons, but mainly because most of the fish are within snorkelling and shallow freediving range. If you're stuck on SCUBA, you're really limiting yourself. Most lakes get very dark below 10 metres- I know there are exceptions, but those deep fish are usually salmonids that will not come anywhere near your noisy bubbles. MANY other reasons to freedive of course.
Get a 75 or 90cm Euro gun. Maybe try PM'ing jimdoe2you on DB- he is really good to us Canadians as he has come up on our west coast annual spearo trip a few times. Also Mark Labocetta at OMER USA is a great guy who can help you.
The Deeper Blue Shop link to Scubastore in Spain has some wicked prices, but you'll need to buy a few things to make the shipping costs worthwhile.
If you get anything from the States, make sure it comes via USPS then you will not get nailed for brokerage fees etc.
I come to Sask a few times in the Summer and shoot a few fish- let us know what you're up to and the Albertans could join you at some point. Also the July DB Spearo Trip to Port Hardy is in July this year!

 

[Erik]

Here's a great gun on Jim's webshop: Omer Cayman Speargun [Cayman] - $194.95 : The Spearfishing Store
Here's a decent gun through the DB Shop:
Imersion Concept Inox. Guns Guns, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, scuba

 

[Big Tom]

Erik, I know all about USPS shipping but I live honestly 5 miles from the US border, and I can get anything shipped to the town straight South 20minutes for $5 so always go that route! Plus the crossing guy is my niebour so 1/2 the time I never pay duty either :blackeye

 

[Erik]

Oh that's a great advantage! Are you in Estevan?

 

[Big Tom]

JBL are not ALL that bad, but there are better precision instruments, especially for shooting smaller fish ie: 1 to 10 lbs, which is mostly what we get up here, yes?
OMER, SPORASUB, and other Euro guns are well-priced and very well built and accurate. Are you freediving/snorkelling, or on SCUBA? I recommend freediving for a few reasons, but mainly because most of the fish are within snorkelling and shallow freediving range. If you're stuck on SCUBA, you're really limiting yourself. Most lakes get very dark below 10 metres- I know there are exceptions, but those deep fish are usually salmonids that will not come anywhere near your noisy bubbles. MANY other reasons to freedive of course.
Get a 75 or 90cm Euro gun. Maybe try PM'ing jimdoe2you on DB- he is really good to us Canadians as he has come up on our west coast annual spearo trip a few times. Also Mark Labocetta at OMER USA is a great guy who can help you.
The Deeper Blue Shop link to Scubastore in Spain has some wicked prices, but you'll need to buy a few things to make the shipping costs worthwhile.
If you get anything from the States, make sure it comes via USPS then you will not get nailed for brokerage fees etc.
I come to Sask a few times in the Summer and shoot a few fish- let us know what you're up to and the Albertans could join you at some point. Also the July DB Spearo Trip to Port Hardy is in July this year!

Yes, fish size is 1lbs - 10lbs normally, and honestly I prefer smaller fish anyway so likely 5lbs would be the biggest size I'm getting into

As to what I'm planning, it'll for sure be a mix. Freediving/snokeling on those hot days when you just want to be on the lake and in the water, but if my buddy wants to rent the scuba gear and go for a tour for fun we'll take the guns with us also. But mainly I'd like freediving, I know I used to be able to dive 15'+ and stay down for quite awhile... I'm alot older and fatter now so we'll see if I can re-learn

Yeah I'm game for a good fishing gathering, it's a pretty good sized cabin so I'm sure we could work out something, or worst case Douglas park is right next door!

I think it'll be a fun sport to get into, so hopefully like you say you guys can help with my purchase and save me some cash and heartache by getting the proper gear right off the bat

 

[Big Tom]

Oh that's a great advantage! Are you in Estevan?

Coronach currently which is straight South of MooseJaw, work for SaskPower at the power plant. But I'm moving to Regina in the next few months which is causing me to hurry with this purchase since once I move I loose the ability to get cheap shipping.

 

[Erik]

That's awesome. You're and outdoors guy so you will LOVE spearfishing. Off topic, but do you ride? (Motorbike)

 

[Big Tom]

That's awesome. You're and outdoors guy so you will LOVE spearfishing. Off topic, but do you ride? (Motorbike)

Used to, never anything fancy but my dads old Goldwing 1500 cruiser and a buddy gave me a neglected '78 Honda CB550 I fixed/rode for awhile, and then a Susuki dirt bike... which I had a pathetic accident on and dislocated my shoulder and haven't really riden since. Now I'm more into sledding... although a few weeks ago I really launched the old Wildcat 700 and myself... still pretty sore... :friday


But yeah, still doing research and checking out the net. The guys at Hawaii skin divers alot of them really like the Omer brand so that's looking like a good choice. Got a few more models to check out before I make any decisions but yeah so far some decent advice! I'm glad I didn't put in that order for the JBL's... I think in a few years time I would've been kicking myself for doing it.

 

[Big Tom]

Anyone tried the Hammerhead Evolution?

Evolution Speargun by Hammerhead, Metal Guns - ScubasWorld

 

[Amphibious]

welcome to the site! great to have another Canadian around here!

I'll mirror Erik;s comments and put in a big endorsement for Jimdoe2you. he is the patron saint of Canadian Spearos, and a helluva nice guy. I get all my gear from him. for canadian waters I love a 70 - 75cm eurogun. (Rob Allen & Beauchat being my current Prefs, Omer is great to)

Anyone tried the Hammerhead Evolution?

Evolution Speargun by Hammerhead, Metal Guns - ScubasWorld

I have installed 2 Hammerhead Reef muzzles on my 70cm and 110cm (RIP) Rob Allen's. they are a fantastic mod. I've heard nothing but good thing about the Hammerhead guns, but have yet to get my hands on one. you can order Hammerhead products direct from the Factory. they ship to canada with excellent rates. Kevin is great to deal with.

 

[prairieboy]

Big Tom, I am similar to you only I used to spearfish with my dad who used a double band huge gun that was given to him from god knows where but was likely way over powered for what we needed. Then we "upgraded" to a air model and that thing wouldn't shoot straight then we kind of got away from the sport. Now, 20 years later I am 35 and wanting to get back into it. I was at a shop today in REgina and they showed me a bunch of JBL's which looked awesome compared to what I was used to as a youngster with my dad. Now I read that you have heard that they are not very good. I just want something that shoots straight, is safe and will allow me to shoot my limit of walleye and pike at candle/whiteswan lake. I am not interested in taking any monsters but likely would shoot a pike up to about 8 lbs and any walleye under that as well. What type of gun did you get, do you like it, and what type of arrow head is best?

 

[thedodd]

Mako Spearguns !

 

[Erik]

70 to 90 cm euro gun with a single band is perfect. OMER, Beuchat, Rob Allen to name a few. All good.
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[Old Man Dave]

Erik is right (as always ). Euro guns are deigned for this type of fishing and this size of fish. Developed from the old French Arbalette they have been refined over 50+ years.

Standard 75cm and 90cm long guns use a single screw in pair of bands usually 16mm diameter. The stocks are ali or carbon and usually 28mm diameter. Spears are 6.5mm diameter stainless steel with a single "flopper" barbed head and 130cm overall length (90cm gun) or 115cm long (75cm gun).

"Value" guns are Cressi Comanche or Beuchat (various models). Omer make great guns (excalibur) as do Immersion and a few others. Carbon is more expensive than ali and while you get what you pay for guns like the Cressi Comanche while cheap are real quality items.

Visit the DB shop (link at top of page - "shopping") and view a large selection of guns.

Good luck.

Dave.

 

[Erik]

You're too kind Dave. And don't know me that well obviously hahaha!

Really any gun will shoot fish and I fed myself well with a POS Jay Bee El for a few years, but there is nothing like a nice light/strong/accurate/quiet machine, ie: Eurogun.

 

[Big Tom]

Mako Spearguns !

That's the guys I ended up going with... about $200 for a new 80cm predator pro railgun, single 20mm band and open muzzle. Been a fantastic gun and perfect for our fish, and accurate first shot with mine landed a nice 4lb+ walleye.


Honest give the guys at Mako a shout and talk with Dano or Brad, tell him Big Tom from Saskatchewan sent you maybe he'll swing a deal... or charge you more... lol

 

[malderking]

What do you say to get them across the border? I'm in BC and when I asked customs about them they said if it resembled a crossbow that it would have to be 20inches or longer and it would HAVE to be two handed. Any way around that?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Erik]

What do you say to get them across the border? I'm in BC and when I asked customs about them they said if it resembled a crossbow that it would have to be 20inches or longer and it would HAVE to be two handed. Any way around that?

Thanks,

Michael

No worries. We take guns across and international with no concerns. Rubber band guns are usually over 20" and they don't look like crossbows. Customs people are very literal.


Erik