Hi Chase, I expect forum members will be able to help you, although the vast majority here spear while freediving (e.g. with snorkel) rather than SCUBA - it's cheaper, simpler - there are some that do SCUBA or both. Some will argue that snorkel is "more sporting" but that ain't necessarily so, others that it is more effective (less noise & flapping about). Daryl Wong's handmade spearguns are rated highly by staff member Bill McIntyre, out in California but $200 might not be enough - but, as you have a boat & SCUBA gear, perhaps worth considering? Tommy Botha in S. Africa makes big game woodies now. Forum member SettingSteel is down your way(Florida) and makes custom spearguns -- well worth checking out -- he'll know your conditions better than most.
Other options for wooden spearguns: Riffe, A.B. Biller, etc. If interested in those - search the forum to find what has been written before.
If you are serious about the $200 limit you might be better off considering non-wooden options, such as a South African style railgun (e.g. Mako, Rob Allen, Hammerhead, Rabitech, Orcas) or one of the bigger, tougher Euro-style spearguns (e.g. Omer, Beuchat, Seatec, C4, Cressi, etc.).
For what it is worth, if I were you, I would leave the SCUBA gear on the boat and buy an Omer Zoom snorkel & the best Mako railgun I could get for £200. Probably quite a long railgun (100cm+ barrel perhaps much longer) if you have the gin clear waters we see on TV. And save up for something by SettingSteel - but perhaps $200 is enough?
