Help: Spear line - how strong?

[Mr. X]

Accidently pinched my spear line & need to replace it quickly. How strong does it need to be?

I believe the Rob Allen "Mako" line that is original equipment on my gun is very strong -- 350lb+ maybe even more, tuna line.

I have a couple of options at hand & a few others that will take a little longer to sort out. Short term options:

- 50lb mono -- I'm thinking this might be enough for the short term, and I could knot it

- weed-wacker mono -- this is even thicker than the Mako line but I think it will probably still just fit through the hole in the spear. I've heard that it is very strong.

Longer term I could crimp this but short term I'm thinking of whipping the end for about an inch & half, as one of the Guernsey spearos did last year.

Advice/suggestions? (I might go spearing Monday -- hence the urgency. Failing that, off to Devon the following week.).

[Mr. X]

Well, the strimmer mono will just go through the hole in the spear & the 50lb mono is just too thin - it would cut into the muzzle end of my new 20mm rubber band. Might have to find a Sunday-opening hardware store tomorrow - maybe get some thinner strimmer mono. I found a place on-line selling 100lb mono -- would that be enough I wonder?

I'm trying to get hold of Mako-line but not too hopeful of getting it anytime soon. (Darn, I was in a good sea fishing store & a diving/spearing store yesterday too).

[Mr. X]

Ah well, I've used the weed whacker/strimmer line. It worked surprisingly well, although a narrower gauge would fit better (& probably work better in the weed whacker too*). Being larger diameter, it is even softer on the hand than the original line.

I whipped the ends for about an inch and a half & tested the whippings under load. I then glued the whippings with Epoxy resin, & smeared the ends of the mono with a solder iron to mushroom them out a little (per Miles' excellent rigging article).

*I bought the thickest whacker mono available some years ago -- thinking it would be tougher -- and it is, it lasts ages, but it doesn't auto-feed properly. I have a huge reel of this stuff, bought cheaply in the USA for about $5...probably a tiny fraction of the price of fancy Dyneema spear lines. Pity it's not green (or black or clear) though ...

[foxfish]

I use 150lb mono but others prefer stronger, up to 250lb.

[sunfish]

If you want to buy strong mono and crimps online look at the ads put by big fishing tackle shops in the back of the British sea angling magazines.They stock 150, 200, 250 etc. + crimps for same and also specialist tuna fishing mono.

[Mr. X]

Thanks guys. I checked the 2 on-line fishing stores that I have used in the past & the heaviest line they carry is 100lb -- so the Sea Angling magazine will be the next port of call. I might also check the hardware store for some thinner, more camo strimmer mono. I'm quite please with the temporary spearline that I rigged last night -- but it's rather bright and, being quite thick, it will be a tight fit through the muzzle opening when firing.

I've added some strimmer mono & whipping cord to the small repair kit I carry round. I'm trying order a second speargun currently -- want to avoid being left without a usable speargun on holiday.

[flyflicker]

Check here, order today and it will be with by Tuesday Scubastore - Diving Gear and Dive Equipment, Diveinn OR SPEARO UK LTD - ONE STOP ON-LINE SPEARFISHING RESOURCE will be even quicker

[glowworm]

Why such heavy duty mono?????

Do you have a bungee attached to your gun before the line to your spear???

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by glowworm

Why such heavy duty mono?????

Do you have a bungee attached to your gun before the line to your spear???

I would like to say: "because of all the 300lb bass we shoot" but you know that ain't so. For my particular speargun, the mono runs over the front of the rubber band -- anything too fine (50lb mono included), would cut into the rubber band. The larger diameter lines don't seem to do that. The thicker line can also withstand more abrasion, pinches, etc. (the pinch that caused me to replace the line went 2/3rds of the way through the line but did not break it). Also, being designed in SA, they do actually get 300lb+ fish over there. What do you use/recommend?

Yes, I have a bungee, it came on the gun. Thanks Flyflicker - good links

The original Mako spearline is 2mm diameter. The heavy duty strimmer cable is 2.5mm +/- 0.2mm. Both far stronger than would ever be needed for a British Bass - or even a US striped bass!

[Old Man Dave]

I reckon for the UK with euro style guns then the 160lb mono I use is about right. Thinner mono tends to tangle and if it tangles when you shoot then it will snap. Thicker than approx 160lb would tend to add drag and effect performance. Rigging with small crimps is best IMHO.

Dave

[glowworm]

I think i will stick to my 2mm dyneema rather than mono as i have had no problems with dyneema at all.

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by glowworm

I think i will stick to my 2mm dyneema rather than mono as i have had no problems with dyneema at all.

Sounds like that'd handle pretty much anything (600lb+?)

[azapa]

i just was having the same doubts re line thinkness after a wear-out this weekend. I too looked at strimmer line: don't use it as it is not the same structure as fishing line (was my auto-response). I agress that 160lb mono looks good for up to 20Kg prey (a gooood day here).

Foxy: any specifics on using mono and crimps on pneumatics that you would care to share? I am thinking of rigging my fave asso 65 with that. I have it pumped and shoot at full power. Would I get away without a bungee?

[foxfish]

Cant really see the point of not using a bungee? I have tried all sorts of line & rigs on all sorts of guns, at the moment every thing is rigged with 150 mono & crimps. I have a few different bungee set ups but always use one of some description.
Maybe where I live helps because mono, elastic cord & similar things are easily to find in one of the many fishing tackle shops or boat chandlers we have all over the Island.

[azapa]

thanks for the answer foxy. after a tangly weekend I am trying to remove everything that I don't neet from my kit. Its not the bungy I don't like, its the bungy, little bit of cord around it and an extra joint that bothers me. Also, a pneumatics spear has the spring on it that reduces shock.... Just and idea. I should probably just be trying it instead of asking

I got second place in a local spear fishing comp. and the w/e though, but can't help thinking that without the snags and tangles I would have won... next time...