Reels on spearguns... do you REALLY need one for spearfishing?

Do you actually need a reel on your speargun? Short answer is no but in this video I explain some of the benefits of using a reel as well as some of the situation where they can be disastrous. If you are a new diver stick to using a float and floatline/rigline - if you can't afford to replace the speargun tomorrow, don't put a reel on it!

If you have any questions please leave a comment for me down below and I will endeavour to answer it.

DIVE GEAR:

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#spearfishingbasics

[monstermun]

Most popular set up in Norway is float line connected to the belt and belt connected to speargun with a separate short line. That way you can drop the belt without a second thought since you can just drag it up again. Major safety advantage in my opinion. If you are hunting bigger fish you simply clip out of the system. You also avoid the potential drag on the speargun from the float line as it's connected to you and not the gun.

[majdq]

I totally ditched reels especially in open water. I just tie the gun to a float ... can let go of the gun anytime and the float makes a diver very visible in open water so that you don't get lost or risk danger of boat runover. The slight incovenience of a float line is very easy to overcome and get used to. Reels are just too dangerous especially if you don't trust yourself to let go of an expensive gun when things go bad ... this has led to many spearos suffering SWB with fatal consequences.

[bigbopper]

Dan it's so easy to lose track of all the divers when you're the boat boy unless they have floats and flags. My nephew spent over an hour and a half drifting off Moreton because of a reel gun. Don't get me wrong because they have a distinct advantage at times so I'm not against reel guns. Getting back to your comment in floats and ropes on breaking headlands covered in Cunji I get it Lol ! However a seasoned spearo has developed good rope and float management as part of their skill set. I'd prefer to see newbies learning to use rope, float and flags first. Regardless of what system you use spearfishing without a good sharp knife that's easily accessible is the fastest way to the cemetery. Don't dive without a knife you pups !

[gunnarfjelstul]

Great video as always Dan! Reels are a must for diving kelp forests on the west coast of USA. I also just love the sound they make and the adrenaline rush when you shoot a proper fish on a reel.

[jimbojet]

Thank you Daniel. I do like your words of caution. I enjoyed this vid.

[DontStopBrent]

Dan. Thx for sharing your hard earned knowledge.

[thisissimonb]

I’m fairly new to spearing. from west coast of Canada. Most the time I’m carrying a bag for crabs (been hand crabbing for years)with a 75cm gun (not as much experience)with no float Or reel for rockfish, greenling or the occasional lingcod if I’m lucky. Been spending time in Mexico lately with some friends though, and the vid’s tipping me towards simply having a float on the end. Haven’t appreciated the benefits till seeing it in action. Your video’s given me some much needed insight though. Time to upgrade. Thanks!

[markmclaughlin]

this video is excellent. It just answered so many questions

[bastienm]

Mandatory to have a reel here in Normandy, we are mainly hunting fish in hole/crack and with the dirty water if you don t have time to get the fish after your shot, the reels give you the chance to come back on a second dive to finish the job 🤙

[miopera]

If you fish deep in pairs the man at the top can pull the fish out of holes fast with float and line if you don't use reels, and the man down can go up stress free to the surface without worrying about shit happening with reel or line.

[dhickman]

Great video, appreciate the nuts and bolts description.

[ItAintMeBabe]

Excellent ! You answered a lot of my questions. Thanks

[mariocinque]

The very important accessory for security in sea.
Compliments, ciao Daniel.

[joshyward]

Epic video, I recently lost a solid Sydney king from letting to much reel line out and it ripping the shaft out on the reef. The Kingy nightmares post dive are a real thing haha

[Jacedives]

Of all the line tangles on rubbers it always seems (from what I've watched) that traditional rubbers get snagged and not rollers. If a roller is going to muzzle wrap you generally won't reach the fish anyway as it happens before the shaft gets more than a metre or so out.

I love the flexibility of my reel gun, but I also use a drop weight with my float and rig line to mark my areas safely. Gives you better safety when rock hopping in big swell too.

[ryhanpeacefeather]

Helpful video. Different scenarios require alternative setups.
I have one gun. I surface fish in shallow water. I have a reel but have not used it as of yet. Just got a float and line. I will use the float mostly as a fish stringer. I have refrained from shooting lager fish than I could handle. Ready to step up my game with appropriate gear.

[uzairali]

Another quality production. Great advice! Keep it up!

[GabGon]

Great stuff as usual.
In the Azores instead of reels or a float line it was usual to use transparent aquarium tubing connecting the gun to the float when hunting for big pelagic fish.

[caseyvalentino]

I think I'll do both. Open ocean I'll use a rig line. Costal but deep with lots of rocks I'll do reel.😊

[galaxystar]

Beautiful video makes me want to and try my own hand at it. The vibes, wakes my instinct I wanna go, setup a playlist with *Metallica* One and *Delta Parole* Wasted and go off into my own world right this moment.