what diameter dyneema should I use for my shaft line?

[StellarJello]

Currently, i use a mono line however I want to change to dyneema and I am still confused about what diameter dyneema I should get in order to not reduce the shaft velocity significantly. My gun is an 80cm inverter roller with 2 10mm bands (planning to put another 10mm). I usually hunt in shallow water.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

This might help.

Testing different shooting lines - Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum

Testing different shooting lines All About Guns

www.spearboard.com

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Well damn. That link used to include a link to actual videos showing tests with various lines, but it doesn't seem to are there anymore.

 

[StellarJello]

Well damn. That link used to include a link to actual videos showing tests with various lines, but it doesn't seem to are there anymore.

there's a video in it actually. Btw thanks!

 

[DiveHacker]

I use 1.5

Don’t have experience with thicker. It sounds to me 1.5 would be good for you.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

there's a video in it actually. Btw thanks!

Weird. It didn't show for me before, but now it does.

OK, now that's you've seen it, I'll give you my experience for what its worth. First, that stiff spectra is far better than other limp spectra/dyneema that I've used. I tried the 1.4 mm for a while. It shoots at least as well as mono when it doesn't tangle. But you have to be very careful to string it tight with no slack. If you don't get mono tight the natural stiffness where it goes around line guides or releases takes up the slack, but the spectra is limp. I took quite a few shots with no problem until one day I had a band tangle and stopped the shaft just short of an estimated 40 pound yellowtail. That was very disappointing. So I reloaded and on the next shot had a momentary band tangle that caused the shaft to lose speed and go under the fish. Maybe it was that particular gun but at 83 I can't afford missed shots like that.

My favorite was that Catchall 1.2 mm coated cable. It doesn't float around like spectra and is easy to string up in the water. It may shoot better than mono. But as the discussion mentions at length, its hard to cut. I still have it on my biggest gun that I use in open water where I won't be down in the kelp and murk, and I carry a pair of shears in case I need to cut it. What wasn't mentioned in that heated discussion is that the stiff spectra is almost as hard to cut as the cable. Try it on land with a sharp knife and then imagine trying to cut it in hurry while holding your breath.

So my conclusion- after trying all those lines, I'm back to mono except for on that one big gun that has cable. I hope this helps.

 

[StellarJello]

Weird. It didn't show for me before, but now it does.

OK, now that's you've seen it, I'll give you my experience for what its worth. First, that stiff spectra is far better than other limp spectra/dyneema that I've used. I tried the 1.4 mm for a while. It shoots at least as well as mono when it doesn't tangle. But you have to be very careful to string it tight with no slack. If you don't get mono tight the natural stiffness where it goes around line guides or releases takes up the slack, but the spectra is limp. I took quite a few shots with no problem until one day I had a band tangle and stopped the shaft just short of an estimated 40 pound yellowtail. That was very disappointing. So I reloaded and on the next shot had a momentary band tangle that caused the shaft to lose speed and go under the fish. Maybe it was that particular gun but at 83 I can't afford missed shots like that.

My favorite was that Catchall 1.2 mm coated cable. It doesn't float around like spectra and is easy to string up in the water. It may shoot better than mono. But as the discussion mentions at length, its hard to cut. I still have it on my biggest gun that I use in open water where I won't be down in the kelp and murk, and I carry a pair of shears in case I need to cut it. What wasn't mentioned in that heated discussion is that the stiff spectra is almost as hard to cut as the cable. Try it on land with a sharp knife and then imagine trying to cut it in hurry while holding your breath.

So my conclusion- after trying all those lines, I'm back to mono except for on that one big gun that has cable. I hope this helps.

thanks for your detailed insight. Based on your experience Imma stick with mono, too bad I couldn't find stiff spectra here in Indonesia. I probably can't sleep that night or week if my spear didn't reach that monster

 

[StellarJello]

I use 1.5

Don’t have experience with thicker. It sounds to me 1.5 would be good for you.

that was I thought, going to give it a try with 1,5.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

If you want to try it, this place in Florida is where I ordered mine. I don't know if they ship overseas but they might. But then I'd stick with mono.

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema line that we use for all kinds of rigging solutions. This line is extremely abrasion resistant, cut resistant, UV stable, is very easy to handle in the water and is rated for a 550lb breaking stength. We use this for shooting line, wishbones, coring and many other...

benthicoceansports.com

It seems as if a lot of guys on this site have mentioned liking dyneema in the past. If they disagree with me I hope they will chime in. I'm just giving you my opinion but it won't hurt my feelings if others disagree.

 

[marco15499]

I would get 1.4 mm for your setup.

 

[DiveHacker]

Idk your setup but you have to be a little careful I mean theres always ways to get around stuff but I don’t think the 1.7 stuff would even fit in my plastic band inserts. The 1.4mm barley fits.

 

[DiveHacker]

that was I thought, going to give it a try with 1,5.

I must use 1.4 because I buy where bill linked. I thought it was 1.5 for some reason

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Idk your setup but you have to be a little careful I mean theres always ways to get around stuff but I don’t think the 1.7 stuff would even fit in my plastic band inserts. The 1.4mm barley fits.

What do band inserts have to do with it? We’re talking about shooting line, not wishbones.

 

[DiveHacker]

What do band inserts have to do with it? We’re talking about shooting line, not wishbones.

Ur right I got confused bc u used some of that line for wishbone haha

 

[marco15499]

If you want to try it, this place in Florida is where I ordered mine. I don't know if they ship overseas but they might. But then I'd stick with mono.

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema line that we use for all kinds of rigging solutions. This line is extremely abrasion resistant, cut resistant, UV stable, is very easy to handle in the water and is rated for a 550lb breaking stength. We use this for shooting line, wishbones, coring and many other...

benthicoceansports.com

It seems as if a lot of guys on this site have mentioned liking dyneema in the past. If they disagree with me I hope they will chime in. I'm just giving you my opinion but it won't hurt my feelings if others disagree.

Hey Bill, I don't use mono anymore after trying the Aussie stiff dyneema. If you don't like it, would you send me what is left? I'll pay the shipping.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Hey Bill, I don't use mono anymore after trying the Aussie stiff dyneema. If you don't like it, would you send me what is left? I'll pay the shipping.

I had a lot of 1.4 and1.7 but I think I gave it all away to a friend who likes is for shooting pargo and grouper in caves in Baja. I'll see if I have any more though.

 

[marco15499]

If you do, I'll be glad to use it. My kids and I don't use anything else.

 

[StellarJello]

If you want to try it, this place in Florida is where I ordered mine. I don't know if they ship overseas but they might. But then I'd stick with mono.

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema

1.7mm Stiff Dyneema line that we use for all kinds of rigging solutions. This line is extremely abrasion resistant, cut resistant, UV stable, is very easy to handle in the water and is rated for a 550lb breaking stength. We use this for shooting line, wishbones, coring and many other...

benthicoceansports.com

It seems as if a lot of guys on this site have mentioned liking dyneema in the past. If they disagree with me I hope they will chime in. I'm just giving you my opinion but it won't hurt my feelings if others disagree.

in the end, I ordered from an online store a 1.2mm Dyneema and 1.1 monoline to see which one I preferred. I can't wait for it to arrive at my doorstep. Thanks for the reference!

 

[marco15499]

in the end, I ordered from an online store a 1.2mm Dyneema and 1.1 monoline to see which one I preferred. I can't wait for it to arrive at my doorstep. Thanks for the reference!

Not all the dyneemas are the same. The only one that works as a shooting line in my opinion is the Aussie Stiff dyneema. If you bought another one, use it for your reel. 1.1 is way too thin as a shooting line, minumum I would use is 1.4 mm.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Not all the dyneemas are the same. The only one that works as a shooting line in my opinion is the Aussie Stiff dyneema. If you bought another one, use it for your reel. 1.1 is way too thin as a shooting line, minumum I would use is 1.4 mm.

Agreed. The stiff stuff is limp enough. The regular dyneema is just a tangly mess.