First gun for diving around Maui reefs.

[chadmiha]

Hey everyone, I just tried diving for the first time the other day with my cousin's 3 pronge and loved it. I wanted to buy a gun so that I could hit fish "in motion", and so I don't have to hit up so many holes. (I hope that makes sense.) I live on Maui and will only be diving around reefs. I was going to get the JBL 38 special NW but with so many negative comments on JBL's in general, I'm a little hesitant. Rife's sound like the way to go, but being a complete newb, I can't see myself spending more than $150-$200 on a gun. So, what gun should I get? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for listening

[azapa]

do you have a spear fishing supplier on your Island? if so, go in and ask, the staff will probably know your waters well and be able to recommend the most appropriate gun.

here you will get a million answers, my faves: Pneumatics from seac-sub, great, accurate, fast, deadly and cheap. Euro guns from Omer. I use 75 to 90CM length.

I think JBL is seen to be clunky and low - end, but I'm sure they work. Good luck and be safe

[chadmiha]

Thanks, I'll do just that.

[demasoni]

Hey Chadmiha,

Welcome to Deeper Blue

If you don't already know, check out Maui Sporting Goods and New Maui Fishing Supply. They're both in Wailuku and fully stocked with spearfishing supplies, dive gear, and knowledgeable staff (especially at MSG).

Also, take a look at the forums on Hawaii Skin Diver:

Hawaii Skin Diver Magazine Shop - The Breath of Freedivers Everywhere

You could also buy Hawaii Skin Diver magazines or look for someone who has a subscription as the some of the back issues are loaded with "How to get started in spearfishing" types of articles.

[OregonSpearo]

Originally Posted by chadmiha

Rife's sound like the way to go, but being a complete newb, I can't see myself spending more than $150-$200 on a gun. So, what gun should I get? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for listening

Go with a Beuchat Mundial 90cm:

90cm is the best compremise your starter gun. It's nimble enough to hunt in the holes. Water is fairly clear where you're at and you'll need the punch of a 90cm to shoot fish on the fly as you say. The Beuchat is dead accurate and you can't go wrong.

[chadmiha]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replys. Is the Beuchat Mundial 90 better than the Omer Cayman 90 Aluminum? It's $190 on amazon and I got a $50 gift certificate, so around $140 for the gun. I am also looking at the Omer Alien mask, but I dont know about my fins, any suggestions? I find it easier to talk on this forum than walking blind into a diving store here on Maui. So, thanks for all the help.

[chadmiha]

Hey demasoni, do you know anywhere in the Kihei/Wailea area that would be good for me to start off at? I just want to get the hang of things on some Manini. My cousin and uncle dive at Camp 1 side, but I dont have a wetsuit and they go EARLY. And I dont want to go too far off shore since I'll be by myself. Thanks.

[demasoni]

Hey Chadmiha,

Yeah, off Makena (Makena Landing, Puuolai, Gray Sand Beach) is good to start. Try to stay away from Wailea Beach and Ulua Beach as there are too many tourists, even though Makena will have its fair share of tourists too. Also, remember that the Ahihi area is a protected reserve, so no hunting.

The North Shore is much calmer these days with the impending south swell, you should go up there - the area behind Mama's Fish House is supposed to be good to start as well as Hookipa on a calm day.

Why are you shooting Manini? They are a decorative fish (Convict Tang)...

Practice your aim on some underwater targets or something...

BTW, if you couldn't tell from this post, I don't spearfish.

[chadmiha]

Thanks for the reply, I will check out those spots. I grew up eating Manini, my grandpa makes a soup from them. You should give it a try.

[demasoni]

Wow, I had no idea...

[apnea_beast]

go for the amazon cayman deal. you might want to think about a 100cm

[Mauicoop]

Hey, gimme a shout, I live in Kihei, lets go shoot some dinner!

[poacher]

In my opinion you would be better to go for atleast a 1m gun or an 110-120cm gun as I am guessing that the visibility is quite good in Maui so getting close to fish will not be easy all the time the 90cm gun would be more of a specialised gun for caves etc in areas with good vis.
You have some very nice guns made in Hawaii also try contacting your local gun makers for some advice.
Wong and Aimrite are 2 names that I have heard are good for service and quality. if you are on a tight budget you could buy a second hand gun made by one of these guys or even buy a trigger mech andshaft from them and make your own gun up.
Peter

[anthropisces]

I have used relatively long guns to hunt reefs, rocks, and blue-water. I have hunted extensively with the Riffe #3 standard, as well as the Rob Allen Railgun. I don't know which Railgun I have. I'm 6'6" tall and the tip of the gun comes up to my lower lip when stood on end on the floor. The Riffe is just a tiny bit shorter.

I like using the longest gun possible (within reason) for all my hunting.

As for the pneumatics, I don't like them. Their power is inversely porportional to the depth. This is of course because they operate through a pressure differential. The greater the difference, the more force applied to the spear. As you descend, the force outside the gun more closely approaches the internal forces (pressure). At some depth (much deeper than anyone actually spearfishes on breathold), the pressures inside and outside the gun would be equal and the spear wouldn't come out of the gun at all.

Hitting a fish hard and clean is what it is all about. That is best done with a relatively long gun. You will learn how to sneak it into rocks when you need to.

You'll be glad you have it when your eyes adjust to the darkness inside a hole, and Mr Big is nervously sillhoueted inside.

[Lynn7]

I knew a friend that stayed for a period of time in your area and he used the The Beuchat too and was very happy with it. I have no personal experience on the subject though

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