Have you ever tried your hand at spearfishing? This ancient way of hunting is facing a resurgence, due to its simplicity and ease. Anyone can get started with pole spears, as long as they have the basic equipment and know how to swim.
If you want to learn about pole spears, their types, advantages, and how to choose the right one, read on.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Pole Spears
- OUR TOP PICK: Scuba Choice 5' Travel Spearfishing Two-Piece Fiber Glass Pole Spear
- RUNNER-UP: Spearfishing Traveler Pole Spear
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Aluminum 3 Segments Pole Spear for Spearfishing
Comparison of the Best Pole Spears
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What is a Pole Spear? What are They Used For?
A pole spear is an underwater tool used in spearfishing, which is comprised of a pole, a spear tip, and a rubber loop. It is usually between four and ten feet long and is made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, graphite, or wood.
Pole spears can be used to catch fish of all kinds and sizes, such as sheepshead, flounder, taug, lionfish etc. Pole spears are mostly used in shallow water and around jetties, or rocky coastlines. You can use them for recreational fishing, as well as to improve your spearfishing skills when scuba diving and snorkeling.
Pros and Cons of Using a Pole Spear
Pros
- Easy to Maneuver
- Much Faster to Reload Than a Spear Gun
- Helps Train Beginners for Close Quarter Work
- Good in Shallow Waters
- More Affordable Than Spearguns
Cons
- Can’t be Used in Deeper Waters as You Have Less Range
- Extremely Lightweight Pole Spears Have Little Mass so There is Little Velocity Behind Them
Key Characteristics of a Good Pole Spear
Let’s talk about selecting a pole spear. A pole spear has three main parts; a shaft, tip, and an elastic band. The elastic band provides the power behind the shot.
Pole Spear Float Line Setup Source
Sizes - Spears come in different sizes, but the three most common lengths are five feet, six feet, and seven feet. Any of these will work, but the six-foot length is great for a beginner.
Materials - Pole spears are constructed from carbon fiber, aluminum, or fiberglass. Each material affects the weight of the spear, which will affect the speed and stopping power of your throw.
A material that is heavier, such as aluminum, twill move through water at a slower rate but will have a greater stopping ability. Heavy bands are required for propulsion when using heavier spears, which can cause hand fatigue much more quickly.
Carbon fiber spears are much faster and provide sufficient stopping power for smaller fish. Hybrid versions are also available, combining aluminum and carbon fiber to give you the best benefits from both materials.
Remember, choose the material for your spear based on the kind and size of the fish you are hunting.
Tips - Spears have different tips, including the paralyzer, the single barb, and the double barb. Choosing a tip depends on the size of the fish you will be hunting and the environment.
For smaller fish that you can pin against rocks in shallower environments, the paralyzer tip will do the trick. For bigger fish such as cobia, grouper, etc., it is beneficial to use a flopper tip (e.g. single or double barb tip). The barbs keep the fish from coming off and for those trophy bluewater fish, using a double barbed spear-tip is recommended.
Review of the Best Pole Spears
The following are the best pole spears available in the market, in terms of value for money and
Best Overall:
Scuba Choice 5' Travel Spearfishing Two-Piece Fiber Glass Pole Spear
PROS
CONS
This five-foot long pole spear is constructed from fiberglass and has a three-pronged paralyzer tip with a stainless steel barb. The tip is 12-inches long and has an 8mm diameter thread.
The spear comes with a black rubber sling and a bag for carrying around conveniently. It can be broken down into two 24-inch poles and the 12-inch paralyzer tip.
Bottom Line
While this is a great spear for fishing underwater, keep in mind that some fish can get away from the spear tips unless you hit them in the center. Also, avoid hitting rocks or hard objects to keep the spear tips sharp enough for fishing.
The spear does not come with instructions, however, in most cases assembling it is easy enough. Make sure you clean the fibers off the spear after delivery.
Runner-up:
Spearfishing Traveler Pole Spear
PROS
CONS
Designed for portability, this three-piece spear measures 6' 7" when put together and breaks down to only 27.5-inches long for easy storage. It is constructed from high-strength, corrosion-resistant, anodized aircraft aluminum.
This means you’ll avoid painful fiberglass splinters in the hand. The spear tip is a five-pronged cluster (paralyzer tip) with "sure grip" barbs on each prong. With the spear, you also get a latex Power Band to propel the spear.
Bottom Line
This is a high-quality spear for fishing in both freshwater and in the sea. Keep in mind that Mako spears do not work with aftermarket tips and you can only use Mako spear tips. Make sure that the rubber band is of high quality as well before attempting to fish, or it may break while you’re fishing.
Best for the Money:
JBL Breakdown Travel Polespear
PROS
CONS
When fully assembled, this JBL travel pole spear is six feet long and when collapsed it measures just 26-inches. This makes it great for traveling and carrying around in a car. It comes with a barbed paralyzer spear tip, a wing rock point tip, and a sling.
The poles are made from tempered aluminum which is hard gold anodized. The black surgical rubber sling is adjustable for power variation and is replaceable.
Bottom Line
While very accurate and well-made, this pole spear stands out for its portability and ease of adjusting the power variation in the elastic band. However, beware of the issues some buyers have reported with fish not remaining speared on the tips.
4. Aqua Lionfish Mini Spear with Tip
PROS
CONS
This is a small, compact pole spear with a lightweight fiberglass construction. It has a stainless steel tip and is 21-inches long with a 1/2" diameter. The pole has a 6mm male thread and a removable 6-inch stainless steel six-prong tip.
To use the spear, just run the 6" latex rubber sling between your thumb and forefinger and then shoot the spear after stretching it along the shaft. This spear is ideal for lionfish hunting.
Bottom Line
This is the perfect pole spear to keep on your next lionfish hunting expedition, as it is designed specifically for those fish. The well-balanced, durable fiberglass construction and five-point tip will help you snag every lionfish you aim at.
5. Aluminum 3 Segments Pole Spear for Spearfishing
PROS
CONS
This spear is over 6’ 6’’ long with the tip connected and is made of three aluminum segments which can be put together in various configurations to make it various lengths. It is ideal for traveling with and can be safely carried in a suitcase when flying.
Bottom Line
The tips need sharpening, after which they will perform much better underwater. It is a good spear for beginners, but the tip thread is not compatible with other commercial tips, so you’ll have to work with the tips from only this manufacturer.
How to Use a Pole Spear
If you want to start fishing with a pole spear, it’s important to know how to do it right. The spear is essentially a long pole with a spear at the tip and an elastic band for force at the back. To shoot one, you take the band on the back of the spear and pull it up as far as you can, ensuring that it is tight.
For accuracy, you can bring it out in front of your face so that it’s in a straight line with your line of sight. When approaching the fish that you’re targeting, give a few hard kicks just to give yourself myself a little extra speed – this will give the pole spear a little extra speed and momentum.
When you release the band and the spear travels towards the fish, just hold onto the band and retrieve the spear. For safety, always have a buddy, remain aware of your surroundings, and don't spearfish in places that are off-limits for fishing.
Watch the following video to learn how to fish using a pole spear.
Conclusion
Fishing with a pole spear is an ancient way of hunting fish, providing both a challenge and a very enjoyable experience where you can see the fish which you’re catching. When selecting a pole spear, keep in mind the material, size, and tips which will be suited to the environment where you’ll be fishing and the kinds of fish you’ll be catching.
Check out our list of top recommendations for some great spears that will make your next fishing trip a great adventure.
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