Ask An Expert
Do you have a question about spearfishing? Then ask an expert!
MAKO Spearguns has enlisted the support of Jim Fyfe to answer any questions you might have about the sport of spearfishing and spearfishing gear. Jim, who is quite modest, will be the first to tell you that it is impossible for one individual to know everything there is to know about our sport. However, Jim has logged more dives and hunts in his life than many of us dream about. Jim is so passionate about this sport, he is happy to share his experience and knowledge with you.
Below is a brief bio on Jim, but I can sum it up by saying that Jim is a true friend to all who respect the ocean and its inhabitants. He is a true ambassador of the sport of spearfishing.
Jim has been an active spearfisherman since completing scuba certification in 1973 as a teenager. For over 30 years, he has been actively engaged in both scuba and freedive hunting. Living in southeast Florida for the last 20 years provides the opportunity to dive year round in the Atlantic and also the Gulf of Mexico. Jim learned to scuba dive in New Jersey and has a number of years of cold water experience in freediving and scuba in both New Jersey and Maine.
Currently he spends approximately half his diving time on scuba, hunting depths between 60 and 190 ft and generally freedives in the 30 to 70 ft range. For scuba hunting he uses either a line shaft gun or a freeshaft gun and pole spear, however for freediving he prefers a float line and a line speargun.
Jim is currently employed in the field of stormwater management, however his education includes a BS in Biological Oceanography and a graduate degree in Environmental Engineering. He is married with three children and the whole family enjoys snorkeling and boating. Both pre-teen sons are learning to freedive and spearfish, while his daughter is happy to sight see underwater.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What gun length do I need?
Desired gun length depends on what you are hunting and the conditions in which you are hunting. You must first remember the length of a Railgun is determined by the length of its' barrel. For example, a 100cm Railgun has a barrel length of 100cm (about 39.5 inches). After adding the length of the grip/with loading butt (about 7 to 9 inches long) and the length of the muzzle (2 to 3 inches) to the barrel length, your 100 cm gun is actually 48.5" to 51.5" long depending on grip and muzzle type.
Predator Pro Railgun Length Chart
Railgun Name |
Grip |
Barrel |
Muzzle |
Spear Overhang |
Overall Length |
90cm |
7.0" |
35.50" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
55.75" |
100cm |
7.0" |
39.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
59.50" |
110cm |
7.0" |
43.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
63.50" |
120cm |
7.0" |
47.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
67.50" |
130cm |
7.0" |
51.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
71.50" |
Iconic Pro Railgun Length Chart
Railgun Name |
Grip |
Barrel |
Muzzle |
Spear Overhang |
Overall Length |
90cm |
9.0" |
35.50" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
57.75" |
100cm |
9.0" |
39.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
61.50" |
110cm |
9.0" |
43.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
65.50" |
120cm |
9.0" |
47.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
69.50" |
130cm |
9.0" |
51.25" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
73.50" |
140cm |
9.0" |
55.00" |
2.25" |
11.00" |
77.25" |
Now having an understanding on how Railguns are measured, you will want to consider the following:
Normally, the bigger the fish you are hunting, the longer the gun you will need. However, you don't want a gun so long that it is difficult for you to load. Also, when hunting in low visability, a shorter gun is better.
2. How many bands and what thickness of bands should I use on my gun?
First of all, it is important to note the band configurations of a single 20mm band or two 16mm bands are powerful enough to kill anything in the ocean. There are several things to consider when choosing your desired band configuration:
1) A gun with a single band can be loaded quicker than a gun with 2 bands.
2) A gun with a single band has less drag than one with 2 bands.
3) For longer guns, two 16mm bands will be easier to load especially for shorter people or those with pre-existing injuries.
4) Our guns in 120cm length and longer include shafts with a 3rd tab to be used as a resting stop. This allows the hunter to pull to the resting tab, rest and reposition, and then finish loading.
5) When hunting small fish, a single 16mm will certainly be enough power for a productive hunt. When hunting larger fish, two 16mm bands or a single 20 mm band will be fine.
MAKO SPEARGUNS BAND CHART |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5/8" (16MM) Diameter Bands |
|
3/4" (20mm) Diameter Bands |
GUN LENGTH |
SHORT |
MEDIUM |
LONG |
|
SHORT |
MEDIUM |
LONG |
70 CM |
|
17" |
18" |
20" |
|
22" |
23" |
25" |
80 CM |
|
18" |
19" |
21" |
|
23" |
24" |
26" |
90 CM |
|
19" |
20" |
22" |
|
24" |
25" |
27" |
100 CM |
|
21" |
22" |
25" |
|
25" |
26" |
28" |
110 CM |
|
22" |
24" |
27" |
|
27" |
28" |
30" |
120 CM |
|
24" |
26" |
29" |
|
29" |
30" |
32" |
130 CM |
|
27" |
29" |
32" |
|
31" |
32" |
34" |
140 CM |
|
29" |
31" |
35" |
|
33" |
34" |
36" |
150 CM |
|
31" |
33" |
37" |
|
37" |
38" |
40" |
*Short: More strength and experience required for loading |
|
|
|
*Medium: Average strength and experience required for loading |
|
|
*Long: Less strength and experience required for loading |
|
|
|
3. Which muzzle should I choose?
In deciding which muzzle to use, it is important to understand the differences and similarities between the two (open muzzle / closed muzzle). Both muzzle types can support a single band configuration as well as a double band configuration and can be changed easily. A closed muzzle has a small tunnel that the spear passes through. This small tunnel keeps the spear in place but does not hold the spear tight to the rail unless you use an "overshaft" wrapping technique (see "how to section"-gun rigging/overshaft wrapping). The open muzzle is just that. It is open, meaning there is no tunnel to keep the spear in place. Therefore, the shooting line is "overshaft " wrapped in a manner which holds the spear in place and tight to the rail. The main difference between the two is in the loading process. Loading a closed muzzle gun requires the back end of the spear to be inserted into the muzzle first and then guided back into the trigger mechanism whereas, with the open muzzle, the spear can be loaded without inserting the back end of the spear through the muzzle. Reloading an open muzzle tends to be a bit faster and the line holds the spear tight to the rail. Whether using an open muzzle or a closed muzzle, the "overshaft" wrapping technique allows for the gun to be fired while sideways or upside down because the shooting line is wrapped over the spear holding the spear tight to the rail. This is beneficial when hunting reefs or rocky ledges where a shot might be attempted when you are upside down.
4. What is the difference between the Iconic-Pro Railgun and the Predator-Pro Railgun?
Both the MAKO Predator Pro series and the MAKO Iconic Pro series are high quality Railguns. And when rigged properly, both guns can kill anything in the ocean.
The Predator Pro Railgun is an all around great gun offering power, accuracy and durability for any diving and hunting conditions and is priced much less than other high end Railguns.
The Iconic Pro Railgun has a slightly thicker barrel and heavier grip making it the gun of choice among the most demanding blue water hunters while still priced lower than other high end blue water guns.
Whether you decide on the Iconic or the Predator, you have already made a great choice. There is just no comparison between the performance of a high quality Railgun, custom built to your exact specifications, verses that of a standard euro gun or wood gun.
5. What type of spear is better? Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel?
Without question, oil quenched carbon alloy spring steel shafts are far superior to stainless steel shafts. Stainless steel shafts bend much easier than Carbon Alloy Spring Steel shafts. MAKO Spearguns offers only the highest quality oil quenched carbon alloy spring steel shafts which are tempered to 2100Mpa. Each spear is decoiled from the heat treated bulk roll and hand straightened and checked for quality prior to machining. A quarto phase coating is then applied to ensure anti corrosion protection which is 4 to 5 times better than conventional electrogalvanising used on cheaper shafts.
7. Are shafts with pin tabs stronger and better than shafts with notches?
Absolutely! Notched shafts which are standard issue on all basic euro style guns are 50% weaker than shafts with pinned tabs. To produce a notch in a shaft, material must be removed from the shaft, rendering a major weak point in the shaft. MAKO Spearguns offers only shafts with pinned tabs which render no weak points at all.
Expand All / Collapse All
Email us with your spearfishing related questions at: jim@makospearguns.com
