Questions From A Newbie

[Stoaty]

Greetings All,

My first spear gun arrived through the post yesterday - it's a Velos 75 (what ever that means?). It is 2 years old and hasn't been used. I've had a quick browse around here to try to understand how to rig it up properly and I have test fired it once in the garden (I know I shouldn't but couldn't resist!). A couple of questions for you experienced folk (if you'd be so kind);

1. Loading it seems to be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable on my chest - any tips?
2. There is some evidence of perishing on either end of the two bands, although it seems to be surface only - should I replace them anyway?
3. I will use it in England on the South Coast - is my water skiing "steamer" type wetsuit sufficient (5mm I think, but maybe 3mm?).
4. I'm a diver too - can I use my dive fins?

That's all I can think of for now, other than to ask if there are any licence requirements, or a closed season to consider. Can you spear fish through the UK winter months?

I look forward to hearing from you - any help/advice gratefully accepted.

Regards,


Stoaty

[Whopperhead]

Stoaty-

As far as loading the speargun, I actually put the butt of the gun in my hip (more comfortable)

I would not shoot the gun out of the water again, Just not safe.

You probably don't need to replace the band(s) but I always carry back up with me "Just in case" one were to break.

I'm guessing you will get cold in that wetsuit- The best suits to dive in is "Open Cell" on the inside of the suit. Search the forums for "Freediving wetsuits" My recommandations to my friends is always "5mm open cell - Elios" But that's just me

Your fins - when you say "diver" you mean Scuba? which if that were the case, I'm guessing that they are maybe 15 - 18" long and really flexible. They "WORK" but you'll have much better luck out of a freediving fin.

Just my 2 cents (or what ever that translates in Euro's) I'm sure others will Chime in- Good Luck Spearing!!!!!

[Stoaty]

Thanks Whopperhead - my first reply!

I'll have a look around for a new wetsuit and take your advice on the Rubbers (back up is best!). I'll stick with the rest of my kit and get in the water a few times before I buy anything else.

What do you know about the gun itself, it's branded a Dempka Velos - 75 I dont know whether its carbon fibre or alumium, although it does have a slider on the main body, which has a groove in it to support the spear I guess? I didn't see this on the more recent aluminium bodied ones. It's all I can do to cock it though!

Thanks again

Stoaty

[Whopperhead]

a 75 is meaning 75cm - which might be good for where you spear- or you might want longer- If it were carbon, that would be nice and should float with no spear on it. For future puchases - get either carbon or WOOD. I think some aluminium float too with no spear - but either way if your killing fish- it's a good gun! have you tried pulling it back in the water? it might be easier.

[ILDiver]

On the wetsuit, if your comfortable in it for the amount of time your in the water, it will work. The open cell suits are nice, but not required. I have an Omer and love it.

The gun, it depends on vis and the type of fish you plan to hunt. Does the gun have a reel? Or is it a short stretch of line off the Muzzle?

Cocking the bands should be tough. There are several threads on the proper way to pull the band(s). I tried the chest method and it did not work for me. I used the hip and I got it but not easy. I've tried the chest method again and figured it out and it's much easier than the hip method. A chest pad on your suit may help too, so the butt end does not dig in.

Good luck.

[Stoaty]

Thanks Chris,

It's very difficult to load for the reasons you describe (comfort). I think I must have short arms too, because from the chest loading position, I can only just get my fingertips to the rubbers (2 X 17.5mm).

I practised a bit last night at home using my hip, which makes the reach easier and is more comfortable. I think I'll stick a nice comfy pad on the sternum area of my suit and learn the chest method in time.

Regards,


Mike

[HEDS]

Hey ,welcome to the forum !, You'r 75 gun sounds ideal for the UK!
I would change the bands if they are 2 yrs old - you wont get optimum performance out of these!
You dont need a reel , because most of the fish we shoot around here are in the 1 - 5lb range .
You'r wetsuit will be fine - although an opencell would allow you to stay in longer, I have a Diveskin.net 5mm suit which im well chuffed with.
Dont worry about loading - it is much easier in the water, practice chest loading!
Id say that the season for us in the Uk finishes around October ,reasons being - viz would be crap in winter [i would imagine] ,daylight hours reduced , less fish around the shore [pollock,bass,mullet], also it would probably be bloody cold...
Have Fun

[Stoaty]

Thanks Heds,

My rubbers are 17.5mm twins (no use, but 2 years old!), where do I get new ones and are they gun specific?

Shame about the "season" I wasn't expecting much Vis', but didn't realise that the fish move out in winter. The cold was a given really

Advice on the new rubber would be good and perhaps a bit more advice on another little excitement that I ran into last night. The gun hasn't ever been used and the line was attached to the spear through a hole in the spear, but nbot in the end of it. There was an untidy knot stopping it pulling through when fired and this was going to work smoothly in the water. I therefore cut and removed the lind and threaded it through the hole in the very end of the spear and used a crimp to tidy the line up. When I did this, I didn't consider clicking it into the trigger housing first and it ended up too tight - so I cut it and tried again!!

This has left me short on line, to the extent that I can't tidy the line up around the trigger arm to keep it out of the way when diving. I've made an extension with nylon cord, which has done the job (or seems to have), but a bit of me thinks original is best. Are the lines, cords and bungees all standard for a 75 gun and easy enough to get hold of?

Bit long winded, but I'm there now!!

advice always appreciated

Stoaty

[HEDS]

I have never heard of this gun - and i dont know whether there are 'specific' fittings for them.
You can give this gun a shot to see how it performs with the two yr old rubbers, there are plenty of affordable euro guns on the market with available spares and add-ons - save some money and treat yourself this xmas!
As for your Line :
You could use a 'bungee' - a piece of rubber to compensate on the length of the line , this also reduces shock when the shaft misses the target/fish.It also acts as a shock absorber when pulling fish back in .

I use a braided cord as a line , this is good because it has some give in it , i buy this in a local hardware store , its dirt cheap, and you can change it often.

I buy most of my stuff from apnea.co.uk . however there are loads of sources for spares.Its just finding them thats the trouble.

[Stoaty]

The gun is produces by Spetton (although this one is branded Dempka?). I think I can buy spares for it from the Spetton dealers - I'll ask. The line is like a heavy fishing line and it has the bungee you mentioned.

Looks like I've got some trawling to do to find what I need, as I'm not planning on a new Xmas pressie before I've tried this one out!!

Cheers Heds,


Stoaty

[Pastor]

You can buy spares at Spearo and apnea another useful source is Leadertec who sell all sorts of bits and bobs such as the line you are after

[ILDiver]

I use a muzzle bungee:Spearfishing and Freediving Equipment - Lines & Fish Stringers - Muzzle Bungee - Technosport Inc. And then either mono line or dyneema line from that to the spear.

As for the bands, a pic of your gun would help to see how it is rigged now and to see the gun in general. Most likely you could buy rubber and tie your own wishbone in and make them any length. You might even be able to change it to say a single 20mm band?? Not sure of your spear diameter and everything.

As for the loading, I have a 90cm gun. I have to reach out with one hand and grab the wishbone and then put the butt on my chest and then grab with the other hand and pull it down. You'll get it I'm sure. Just be careful with the gun, I wouldn't even set the wishbone into the notch when practicing to load it, and definately don't get it over the notch and just snap it, or let it go quickly. If the trigger got bumped or the spear not locked in, you could fire the spear while loading. Make sure it's secure.

Good luck! Oh and welcome!