Help needed urgently !!!!!! gun selecting

Hi guys

I am looking to buy another speargun... For about R800-1000 At the moment I have a Rabitech Stealth pro 120cm with 18mm powerband.  But the problem is that I find it very hard to handel in the water (I am only 14 years old).  I only do shore dives of the coast of KZN and only shoot small reef fish so what gun do you recommend???? And what rubbers????? I will REALY appreciate honest  advise  SAFE DIVING!!! 

Divan

Spearlover wrote:

Hi guys

I am looking to buy another speargun... For about R800-1000 At the moment I have a Rabitech Stealth pro 120cm with 18mm powerband.  But the problem is that I find it very hard to handel in the water (I am only 14 years old).  I only do shore dives of the coast of KZN and only shoot small reef fish so what gun do you recommend???? And what rubbers????? I will REALY appreciate honest  advise  SAFE DIVING!!! 

Divan

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Hi Divan

A shorter gun is usually easier to load. If you can grab both sides of the rubbers with the gun already  against your chest then you will not have to strain as much.

Having said that the gun that you have is good for the clear blue waters that you are likely to encounter up there and it would be a pity not to have access to a valuble tool.

You could look at the rubbers that you are using but too much loss in power might defeat the purpose of having a longer gun and its  reach.

One thing that you might consider is doing a little resistance training.

Given your age, I would seriously recommend that you speak to a physio or similar professional before beginning any training. Your joints are still growing and you can really do yourself a harm!

There is plenty time when you are older to stuff up your joints. (My friends who were in the army had the knees of a 70 year old when they were in their late 20's!)

Another friend of mine becomes super man after a few drinks and only works out that he is Clark Kent when he wakes up the next morning with sprains.

He has been gifted with the ability to predict the weather from the scar tissue in his shoulder but that is a story for another time and a superpower that he would rather do without.

Take the gun with to the physio and explain what you would like to be able to do.

They might recommend lighter weights and inclined fly movements.

You kind of do a bench press in reverse.

good luck

Hello Divan :welcomesea:

A 120 with a 18mm rubber will be tough to load unless you practice to get it done in 2 movements and then it will still be pretty hard to pull it all the way to the second notch on the spear.

If you have some cash to burn then I'd say go for a 90 in the Rabitech (or since you are in KZN Rob Allen) range. A 90 will complement your 120 well as it is a good size for reef / cave hunting and will be easier for to you to use until you have grown into your 120.

I'd however say, before you go for the 90 first try and fit two 16mm bands to your gun. Individually are MUCH easier to load and 2 bands should give you more or less the same hitting power as the current 18mm that you have on your gun.

You will be able to order those bands directly from Louis at Rabitech. Drop him a mail
(rabitech@netactive.co.za) or give him a call (021 903 0442) with the gun type and length. He'll be able to sort you out chop-chop.

you have a few choices, because you dive in Durbs you need the extra length so I would suggest getting a 6.5mm spear with one 16mm rubber and converting your existing gun. If you need a second gun you would first need to see whether a 90 wont be a bit short. The best is to pop into Freedivers or RA and go cha with them.
They will do the conversion for you at their shop and will also give you tips on loading the gun.
Freedivers 031 3033442
RA 031 301 2241

Hi guys

I just wana say a BIG thanx to all of you for taking the time to reply and giving me your advise!!! This will help me very much. I will let you know what I get.  Also thanx for the nice welcome!!!  I will also go and see a phiso just to make sure that I don't hurt my joints  And one more thing, witch brand do you guys prefer and is it worth it to get a reel fitted ????  ONce again a BIG THANX to all of you!!!!!::slr::

Spearlover wrote:

Hi guys

I just wana say a BIG thanx to all of you for taking the time to reply and giving me your advise!!! This will help me very much. I will let you know what I get.  Also thanx for the nice welcome!!!  I will also go and see a phiso just to make sure that I don't hurt my joints  And one more thing, witch brand do you guys prefer and is it worth it to get a reel fitted ????  ONce again a BIG THANX to all of you!!!!!::slr::

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Hi Spearlover

The only reason that I mentioned the resistance training is that a lot of guys don't realise that the gun loading muscles are an unusual combo of the little used muscles between your shoulder blades,your shoulders, back and chest.

I am quite opposed to younger participants in a sport being pressured intoto meeting the same threshold as older practitioners.

As other writers have confirmed, the long gun has a role in your home waters and it would be a pity to miss out.

all my guns have reels on them!

Hi Divan,

I started roughly at your age and the earlier the better, but we were a lot less informed and did some stupid things.

I use only 16mm rubbers on all my guns ( personal preferance).

Load your gun with your palms facing down, that uses your biceps.

There are lots of techniques that the vertically challenged use to extend their reach.
Go read up about shallow water blackout.

Spearlover wrote:

Hi guys

I just wana say a BIG thanx to all of you for taking the time to reply and giving me your advise!!! This will help me very much. I will let you know what I get.  Also thanx for the nice welcome!!!  I will also go and see a phiso just to make sure that I don't hurt my joints  And one more thing, witch brand do you guys prefer and is it worth it to get a reel fitted ????  ONce again a BIG THANX to all of you!!!!!::slr::

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My opinion re. the reel vs float is: different tools for different applications.

In some scenarios a reel will work better than a float (try swimming through a kelp forest with a float-line and float) and in some scenarios a float is better than a reel.

Check this article where Matt gives a good overview of reels vs floats:  http://www.wildblue.co.nz/articles/toreelornottoreel/?editMode=1

Hi guys

Once again a HUGE thanx to all of you for this advise, it is realy helping ma a lot!!! Must say I don't thing 2X16mm is such a badd idea, think thats what is goeing on my Rabi as soon as I do a little more resistance training! Alsow a reel. That articale on reels "to reel or not to reel" gave me a lot of answers an it will be a great read if aneyone whants to give it a shot!

Divan

Hi mr Eckart

I saw you on Freedivers weebly and just want to know if you happen tp sell some of their gear?  If so What (more or less) will a railgun and a reelgun cost???  looking fore something with a 16mm rubber an about 90-100cm, Not sure yet.

Divan

Divan,
I do have a shop and I can get you just about any brand... I'll pm you ...

Hi guys

One more question...  Witch gun is best a Rabitech, Freediver, Rob allen???

Divan

Hi Spearlover

Firstly welcome to Sealine.
Regarding 'best' gun... I have only dived with Rob Allan rail guns. I presently have 2, a 1.1m & a 1.2m I haven't used anything else (except a Champion gun when i was a kid) so i can't really comment on the other brands. I haven't had any problems with my guns, except for replacing the odd spear and rubber.

If you are shore diving shallow, ie backline, shallow reefs etc. Then a shorter gun would be more viable. Hunting on Aliwal, one would use anything up to around 1.6m (barrel length). Give the guys at Freedivers & Rob Allan a call, or visit them. Then at least they can give you an idea face to face.

Stinker

Eckart wrote:

Divan,
I do have a shop and I can get you just about any brand... I'll pm you ...

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Hi Eckart.

Someone told me to chat to you. I also want to get into spearfishing. Don't know what kind of gun i need, but i'm planning to dive False bay mostly... Please pm me some info also...

 

THX....

Hey Spearlover & Jmax,

Welcome to this wonderful Sport! It is a true priveledge!
Regarding guns, I have a freedivers 1.0 and an omer 1.1. Both very versatile for here in the Cape. Both guns are very comfortable and accurate. It is my technique or Overexcitedness that leaves much to be desired at times.
The advice from the guys on this site hold's a lot of weight. It's good to see a willingness to learn. You'll learn quickly for sure!

Cheers,
L

when it comes to which guns are the best, it's actually hard to say...personally I think it all comes down to personal preference and experience.
If you have one bad experience with a specific brand you are less likely to spend your money on that brand again.
the other factor is shape, some people like big handles (Rabitech, Pelaj) while the other people like smaller handles (Freedivers and Rob Allan, also the old Champion handles). The smaller handles fit better in your hands and generally suit more people but then again this is just some experience and it's best to try them... ask your mates what they use and if you could use their guns to see the difference...
will give you both a pm...

Spearlover wrote:

Hi guys

One more question...  Witch gun is best a Rabitech, Freediver, Rob allen???

Divan

Click to expand...

Hey Divan,

I have gear and guns of all 3 brands mentioned and must say so far they have all performed admirably.

You will alos notice if you read international forums that all three brands are highly respected and sought after, so I really don't think you can go wrong with either.

As mentioned in other posts, the most important aspect will be choosing the one that fits you best and you will only really get a feel for each if you go and try them out.

Cheers
ls

Ps: If you want to have a look at something different look at Riffe spearguns (http://www.speargun.com). Most probably as close as I would come to calling a speargun beautiful...

.

Thanks for that Mangi...
He he he... Funny thing that... I used to feel the same way as you. How time changes one.

LS - Beauty is an excellent description of their range of equipment! Most Spearo's I know veiw the Riffe range the way most people view supercars! You know the look... Distant gaze, Mouth slightly open... and the eventual drool...

I'm hoping to go for a dive on Saturday or Sunday (Family Depentant) before the forecasted monster swell hits...

Chat soon.
Cheers,
L