I'm a longtime freediver but relatively inexperienced spearo, looking to get more serious about spearing on the north coast, mostly sonoma and mendocino areas. I'm curious how people prefer to rig for rockfish, ling, cabezon... anything you might shoot after a short paddle or swim from shore.
I have an old 24" Biller style gun that I inherited. It's a sea hornet but I gather they are the same thing? Came with a double flopper that has a retaining ring. I'm finding it a little slow and have lost some fish when the shaft didn't fully penetrate. I think I need to change something.
Has anyone tried changing the point on a gun like this? I'm wondering if I should look for a single flopper that can match these threads. Or even a new shaft? Is that an option on an old gun like this?
I'm open to being told I should look for a new gun altogether, but would like to make this one work better if possible.
Thanks for any input.
BigJim:
I'd say invest in a 70-90cm open muzzle Railgun like a Rob Allen or a Pathos, Meandros etc, set it up with a stock single flopper shaft, put a reel on it and never look back...
I resisted for awhile and tried the double flopper rock points on Billers and Riffes etc...but once I went over to the rail gun I've had a lot more success...
Few pics attached of Cen/NorCal fish taken with the setup described above...it will take down most anything you come across in our waters.
Red Triangle isn't selling gear anymore, but you should be able to get what you need from The Freedive Shop.
Ps…here’s an old vid I made of taking some fish with Pathos guns. RA works just as good. All pretty similar. Most of this was with a floatline instead of a reel, but I’ve been using a reel 99% of the time last few years…but floatline works fine also for up here.
https://youtu.be/CiabzKgCdT4?si=LK16WxhcxJ980JEc
Here’s some more recent footage of fish taken with similar set up and reel:
https://youtu.be/WSQPfMadvfM?si=yLZBRSmE_qeYBZYM
mw:
Jesus. I didn’t even know stripers got that big on our coast. I’ve seen them like that back east but… and you shot those?
I guess you’ve made your case for that rail gun.
BigJim:
--- Quote from: mw on October 23, 2023, 09:00:43 PM ---Jesus. I didn’t even know stripers got that big on our coast. I’ve seen them like that back east but… and you shot those?
I guess you’ve made your case for that rail gun.
--- End quote ---
My daughter did a good job making them look big for the pic :smt005
I had some luck with them back in 2016 but haven't since then...tbh though I switched focus to other species more recently....still fun to jump in the surf and look for them though....we are lucky to have such a cool fishery right off our shore.
:smt001
Sincerely,
Jim
essrigr:
Hey there, glad to see some other members freediving and spearfishing here, I have been going down to Monterey lately, any time you want to join in you are welcome to get in touch. I would also say to get a bigger gun, I am using a 32 and 48 inch gun. I usually go down to Monterey every two weeks, always enjoy company, take care, Ron.