If you are spearfishing for the first time, you will want to consider what type of pole works best for you. There are three basic types. All three store their energy in rubber tubing. However, beyond that, they all have particular and differing features. Here is a quick preview of the three basic types of spearfishing poles.
Speargun
A speargun is an underwater spearfishing tool that allows you to shoot a spear at a fish. The typical speargun is comprised of a spear, a barrel, and a handle with a trigger. The two most common subtypes of the speargun are rubber-powered, which is made of wood and/or sealed tubing metal and air-powered. Because it has a triggering mechanism to hold the spear steady, less manual force is needed to control the spear than with the other two types of spearfishing poles.
Polespear
A polespear is an underwater manual tool with a long-pointed shaft and an attached elastic loop for propelling the spear. Often, this type of spear is capable of folding up so as to be travel-friendly. The pole spear is frequently confused with the Hawaiian sling. However, the elastic propelling loop on the Hawaiian sling is not attached. This form of spearfishing pole is better for those who are more physically inclined since it involves more personal and constant control of the spear.
Sling
A sling, as mentioned, is somewhat different than a pole spear. This difference is mainly in the propelling loop. The loop is attached to a metal or rubber tube on the Hawaiian sling to form a bow. This tool is used to propel the spear like an arrow. It is shot like a regular bow and arrow, except that a Hawaiian sling shoots the spear through a small hole in the tube. The result is a more powerful shot than with the more manual polespear.
Watch the Wooded Bearsman’s spearfishing skills
In the video, The Wooded Beardsman embarks on a survival challenge while using spearfishing gear from Scuba.com!
