HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FIRST SPEARGUN FOR SPEARFISHING?

The question may seem very complicated as the manufacturers of spearfishing equipment are numerous and all offer a wide choice of models.

We will try to answer as many of your questions as possible to help you in your choice and thus allow you to discover this discipline in the best conditions. To be able to choose your hunting crossbow, also called a harpoon rifle, we will explain:

• Choose according to hunting technique

• Choose the right length for your crossbow 

• Choosing a harpoon gun with an open or closed head?

First of all, no need to direct you to an item that is too high-end, loaded with options complicating the grip and operation of the crossbow. The same goes for a product that is too low-end which will have poor performance discouraging you in the practice of this sport.  

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The different spearfishing techniques

There are 4: Hole hunting, Indian style, casting and agachon.

Hole hunting , as its name suggests, involves exploring the cavities in which fish hide and therefore surprise them in their habitat. A short rifle of 50 to maximum 75 cm will be preferred, a longer crossbow would be disabling.

Indian hunting , this technique consists in using the underwater relief to advance step by step, in the greatest discretion and thus surprise a fish. A rifle of so-called medium size will be preferred, not too long to have good mobility in the water and not too short to maintain a comfortable shooting distance. We will therefore choose a crossbow whose length will be between 75 and 105 cm.

Casting hunting , this method aims to let itself sink vertically towards a prey and therefore surprise it from above. One can thus surprise a fish which swims between two waters or which is simply posed on the bottom resting or feeding. We will therefore choose a crossbow between 90 and 105 cm to have a correct shooting distance.

Agachon hunting , we could also call it hunting on the lookout. It is therefore a question of choosing an “agachon station”, regardless of the depth, the main thing being to choose / determine a spot as being an area suitable for the passage of fish. This technique is also based on the natural curiosity of certain species. Once in position, well hidden, the hunter will make throat noises, release a string of bubbles or lightly scratch the rock with his hand or the butt of the crossbow to arouse the curiosity of the fish. Everyone goes with their own technique depending on the results obtained.

A rifle of at least 105 cm is therefore recommended to have a good firing range.

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The right length for your rifle

50, 75, 100 and 130 cm, What does this correspond to? Quite simply to the length of the tube, excluding the head and the butt.

The shorter a crossbow, the more it will be intended for proximity hunting such as hole hunting. In a cramped space like a hole, a short crossbow will obviously be more maneuverable and will therefore allow you to be reactive in your shooting. Just as a so-called long crossbow (beyond 100 cm) will be useful for more distant shots, as for agachon hunting (on the lookout).

  We can therefore conclude that there is a specific type of crossbow for the different hunting techniques.  

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What length of crossbow to choose when you start spearfishing?

As we do not know which types of hunting we will choose or at least prefer, we recommend choosing a so-called "versatile" length. It will allow you to introduce you to almost all hunting techniques. 

It is therefore necessary to orient yourself towards a crossbow of 75 cm or maximum 90 cm. You will be able to do hole fishing, Indian fishing and a little casting. Also, the cocking of the rifle is a bit laborious the first few times, so it is better to have a medium sized rifle to facilitate this.

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Harpoon gun with open or closed head?

Preferably, for the sake of ease of rearming, direct your choice towards a crossbow with a so-called "closed" head. It will be much easier to find your way around when you have to put your arrow back in place after a shot. Crossbows with so-called "open" heads are recommended for a more experienced underwater hunter.

Also prefer a harpoon gun equipped with a so-called Tahitian arrow (in one piece with a point). It will provide more precision and increase the shooting distance.

For the bungee cords, generally these models of crossbows are delivered with elastic bands of diameter 16mm that provides a quite sufficient power and a difficulty to stretch within the reach of all.

The shell is the metal part that engages in the notch of the arrow when you cock your rifle. A so-called "articulated" model will be more resistant over time and easier to fit into the notch of the arrow. For safety and practical reasons it is very important to wear a pair of neoprene gloves.

The integral arrow guide is always a plus for precision. If your budget allows it, there is no reason to deprive yourself of it. However, on lengths between 75 and 90 cm, we can do without.

The material of the tube, to begin with, an aluminum model will be perfect at first and even later. There are also many high-end rifles with aluminum tubes.

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What to remember to choose well

To summarize all the information, to start spearfishing, you should orient yourself towards:

An aluminum crossbow, 75 or 90 cm, with a closed head, a Tahitian arrow, a set of 16mm diameter bungee cords and if the budget allows an integral arrow guide.

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