WTB Speargun

Getting back into diving and would like to pick up a speargun. I have only used a sling/pole in the past so this will be my first gun.

Thanks,
Joseph

It is a very broad question.
You should be more specific on where you like to use, what you like to hunt, and what is your budget.
Typically 60-70cm gun is recommended in northern California.

Very true, I'm just planning on hunting the locals (lingcod/rockfish/halibut) . I was checking out the AB Biller 42" special for reference, thinking it would be a "do all" gun for up to 10' shots. Avoiding specifics also is a way to welcome recommendations!

PATHOS is a very popular brand and you should check them out at a local dive shop.

60-75 cm Rail/euro guns are most popular now days for NorCal. JBL and AB Biller used to be a couple of decades ago along with pneumatics.
Can't go wrong with 75 cm Rob Allen or Pathos paired with a 35 -75ft floatline, length dependent of your hunting depth.
Good luck!

Ditto what everyone else said. I’ve had both the Rob Allen and the Pathos and like both a lot for what they are. Both are reliable and both will take a beating. If you’re serious about 10-foot shots, I’d look at the 82cm Pathos. You can rig it for longer shots on blues and olives, and when I owned mine I struggled to find a hole I couldn’t wedge it into. Because of the design it’s not that much bigger than a 70cm Rob Allen, but you get a little extra power. It’s nice to have the extra reach on those clearer days in Monterey. But a lot of guys on the north coast like to go shorter (60-75cm). Really you can’t go wrong with anything in that range. I just wouldn’t go over 90cm band stretch (I personally like a 90 for around here, but a lot of people think even that is too big, and it definitely isn’t necessary).

Hey mendolunker are you in mendo?
I am in ft bragg and have a few extra guns I am considering parting with.

Thanks for the replies everyone, exactly the input I was looking for.

Divenfish- I was born & raised in Redwood Valley so my name is in reference to the County, not the Town. Currently living in Vallejo (while the wife is in school) but this post is part if my preparation for a bday dive likely out of RG 7/20. Feel free to pm me with what your thinking.

I agree, 60-80 is a great size, with 75 being the most popular. Pathos and Rob Allen are the two brands you hear the most about. I own a Pathos 60 as a back up gun but primarily hunt with a two band wooden 80 because like Andrew (scorpaenichthys) said, having some extra distance is helpful for midwater column fish. I've taken shots at fish with my 60 that just didn't reach the target and that is frustrating to me.

One thing in addition to factor into your choice: Open barrel. Don't go closed barrel for the type of hunting you describe (especially halibut) since a surprising % of shots taken on fish are not far away enough to let the spear clear the end of the barrel which means something is likely about to break (muzzle bridge, shaft, etc). I've broken a closed barrel on a ling before.

Also consider durability. Our type of hunting is significantly harder on guns since we're letting them drop on rocks to mark spots, shoving them in rock cracks to get the precise angle shot, etc. Pathos will take a beating.

Last bit of advice to consider is floatline v. reel. I feel like this is the most "personal preference" topic so I'll just offer my opinion. Even though my guns have reels, I still use a floatline for these reasons: 1) it's easier for my buddy to spot me and safety dive for me if needed 2) I can mark holes/fish/scallops for myself or for a friend 3) I can secure my fins to dive board while hiking, entering/exiting the surf, 4) when I shoot a fish at the end of my breath hold, I can still fight it up from the surface without needing to pull out a ton of line from my reel.

Contact Parviz at red triangle spearfishing in your area to learn more about it or send me a PM with specific questions. You're also welcome to try out any of my guns if you find yourself in the Monterey area.

- Eric

Eric- thanks for the great info. I got pretty well geared up last summer (besides switching to a speargun) and have been using a float line already so that is what I will stick to for now.

Ps. I love how this thread has gone in the direction of "what is practical for our area" vs "here's an old piece of equipment to buy/sell", the information y'all are providing is sure to help others wading through the huge variety of spearguns available on the market.

So last night my new speargun arrived, what was supposed to be a Pathos Laser Open Pro 75CM.  Instead they sent me a 90CM version of the gun.  Question is, should I keep it?  I'm going diving tomorrow (first time since my son was born, yay!), but can always resort to using the old sling..

So last night my new speargun arrived, what was supposed to be a Pathos Laser Open Pro 75CM.  Instead they sent me a 90CM version of the gun.  Question is, should I keep it?  I'm going diving tomorrow (first time since my son was born, yay!), but can always resort to using the old sling..

Personally, I don’t notice much of a difference hunting with my 70 vs. a 90, especially after I spend some time with a pole spear. If it were me, I’d probably hang onto the 90, as it’ll give you a little more flexibility if you travel down south or have days with better viz. I don’t find the extra ~8 inches to be all that much of a hindrance except in the tightest of holes. But I think I’m in the minority when it comes to max gun length for this area. If you’re concerned about length and what you really want is the 75, I’d exchange it. You’re gonna have it for a while, may as well be shooting what you want to be shooting.

My buddy thought a 90 would be better than 75. He regretted that decision and now shoots a 75. But Andrew is right, 8in might not be that big of a deal (insert joke here).

Also, I hear vis in mendo is bad right now. Hope you get out there and enjoy anyways! (Vis in Monterey is great and swell is small if you can make it down!)

Use it and also buy the other gun. Two guns are better than one. 

I always take a backup just in case.

Sounds like I'll be going with my gut feeling- this thing is getting salty! Hope the vis isn't too bad, going to start the day under water and then float on top after. Thanks again guys!