spearguns for panfish

[bglaeser]

I am looking for a speargun to use on panfish with a small diameter shaft and point so as to damage the fish less and leave a better fillet. I think Jon mentioned he has one like this, but I don't remember on what thread. Any suggestions for a speargun that causes less damage to the fish?
~Brian

 

[Jon]

Any small Euro gun would work.

OMER makes some as short as 60cm, but I wouldn't buy one longer than 75cm for the inland lakes around here. There are plenty to choose from. I used to own a Rob Allen and liked it well enough, but have since moved up to a custom made mid-handle wood gun- at twice the price.

Jon

 

[bglaeser]

what size diameter shaft and tip do these guns have?

 

[Jon]

6mm or 6.5mm

 

[BaerClaw]

i am looking to do some pan fishing in my native state wi, and am looking at ideas on what i should use. first question is polespear or speargun? and i was wondering if anyone had soem models that they would recommend. i have done alot of carp fishing with my JBL 31" magnum custom, because this is my primary gun i'm looking for something i can use for panfish without spending too much. i was also wondering what tip style would be the best. thanks. james

 

[Whopperhead]

I use this one for panfish- with a trident speartip- it works well. puts smaller holes in them, plus I aim for the head.

JBL D6 Mini Carbine Speargun (D-6) from LeisurePro.com

--------Scott

 

[BaerClaw]

thanks thats acshuly the one I had my eye on! any other suggestions or helpful hits?

James

 

[Whopperhead]

I'll shoot them with my regular speargun also- but I aim for the head- If I miss I miss- If I hit them - they're dead. It also doesn't waste any meat. I always keep my D6 attached to my float - just incase I decide to "switch it up". Works great on Gills, Perch and Crappies.

------Scott

 

[BaerClaw]

i might just have to give that a try then. have you tried a polespear? i've never tried one but i'm curious and contemplating getting one. but i don't know if they have the reach i'm looking for. i want to get some crappies but they seem very skidish, and i need something that reaches just a little farther than my JBL 31" magnum. plus i don't want to put a quarter size hole through it. head shots would work but they would be very difficult, but i might give it a try. i just don't want to waste fish. thanks.

james

 

[spaghetti]

I agree with Jon: a 60 or 75 lightweight eurogun will do the job. I rarely hunt those fish, but 've noticed that, even if curious and quite easy to get close, they're still quick, nervous and very reactive. Sometimes enough to dodge the spear if shot from too far.
I try to get the closest I can before shooting, and if they come frontally I don't wait them to turn: I aim to their face between the eyes. Don't worry if it seems a too small target for frontal shooting: the fish will turn, and the shaft will hit them on a side.
All this said, a very lightweight gun is the one to pick IMHO, because it provides a quick and instinctive aiming.

 

[Fondueset]

I, of course, allways agree with Spaghetti, and Jon knows everything there is to know about Wisconsin under water.

The JBL carbine is a very inexpensive and cheaply made gun. The one I had was very subject to jamming from sand and would bounce harmlessly off a small carp at point blank range. Sometimes it would simply not fire - putting me in the awkward position of having a loaded gun with a fully depressed trigger. (this was awhile ago - it is possible JBL has changed the design - though it looks the same from the outside.)

If you every plan to spear anything a little bigger or further away I would suggest a good 75cm euro gun - light, maneuverable, instinctive to aim and very versatile.

A good polespear will shoot at least as far as that JBL - but with more power.

 

[Amphibious]

A good polespear will shoot at least as far as that JBL - but with more power.

+1 a good pole spear (like the ones Linghunt makes on ebay) is deadly on panfish