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3 Types of Spearfishing Poles

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on September 30, 2014

If you are going spearfishing for the first time, you will first 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 very specific and differing features. Here is a quick preview of the three basic types of spearfishing poles.

Speargun

spearfishing

A speargun is an underwater spearfishing tool which allows you to shoot the 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 are 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

spearfishing

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 to be capable of folding up so as to be travel friendly. The pole spear is often 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

spearfishing

A Hawaiian sling as mentioned is somewhat different than the pole spear. This difference is largely in the propelling loop. On the Hawaiian sling, the loop is attached to a metal or rubber tube to form a bow. This tool is used to propel the spear like an arrow. It is shot like a normal bow and arrow with the exception 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.

For even more information, take a look at this comprehensive review of pole spears!

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro