You’re ready to leave the shore behind and hunt the vibrant world of the reef. But showing up with the wrong speargun is like trying to navigate a hallway with a ladder—clumsy, ineffective, and frustrating.
Introduce the Solution: Reef
This buying guide will break down exactly what size speargun for reef
Why Reef Fishing Demands a Specific Speargun
The underwater environment of a reef is dynamic. Unlike open water or bluewater hunting, where you might target wahoo or mahi-mahi at long distances, reef hunting is a close-quarters game.
- Maneuverability is Key: You’re constantly working in tight spaces—navigating around coral heads, peering into caves, and tracking fish through crevices. A long, cumbersome gun is impossible to turn and aim quickly. A shorter speargun is essential.
- Limited Visibility & Close-Range Shots: Most reef hunting shots are taken at a relatively close range, typically between 5 and 15 feet. You don’t need a cannon designed for the open ocean.
- Power vs. Control: You need enough power to penetrate tough-skinned reef fish, but not so much that you’re bending your shaft on rocks with every missed shot. Too much power also increases recoil, which can hurt your accuracy—a critical factor for ethical hunting.
Speargun Types: Band vs. Pneumatic
There are two main types of spearguns you’ll encounter:
- Band-Powered Spearguns: This is the most common type. They use one or more large rubber bands (power bands) stretched from the muzzle to the trigger mechanism to propel the spear. They are reliable, easy to maintain, and offer a smooth, predictable shot. Wooden spearguns and most aluminum models fall into this category.
- Pneumatic Spearguns: These guns use compressed air stored in a chamber inside the barrel to fire the spear. To load them, you use the shaft to push a piston back into the chamber, compressing the air. Pneumatic spearguns are very powerful for their size, making them excellent for hunting in holes and caves. However, they can have more recoil and are generally louder than band guns.
- For a beginner, a band-powered speargun is almost always the best choice due to its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use.
The “Sweet Spot”: Understanding Speargun Lengths
How are spearguns measured? This is a common point of confusion. The measurement of a band-powered speargun is typically in centimeters (cm) and refers to the length of the barrel. It is not the total length of the gun or the shaft.
- The Ideal Range for Reef Hunting: The sweet spot for barrel lengths is 75cm to 110cm.
- The Perfect All-Around Size: For most conditions, a 90cm speargun is the undisputed champion. It offers the best blend of range, power, and maneuverability. A 90cm speargun is powerful enough for medium to larger fish but still compact enough to swing easily around the reef. It is the best all-around speargun size for a beginner.
Factors That Might Adjust Your Choice
While a 90cm gun is the perfect starting point, certain factors might influence your decision:
- Water Clarity/Visibility: In exceptionally clear water, like the Caribbean, you might lean towards a 100cm or 110cm gun to give you a bit more range. In lower visibility conditions, a shorter speargun like a 75cm is better.
- Target Prey: Hunting primarily smaller fish like hogfish and snapper? A 75cm or 90cm is perfect. Consistently targeting larger, tougher reef fish like grouper? A 100cm gun with two power bands might be a better choice.
- Personal Preference: Ultimately, comfort and how the gun feels in your hand are important. A gun with an ergonomic handle and comfortable grip will feel like an extension of your arm and improve precision.
Amazon’s Top-Selling Spearguns for the Reef
1. Cressi Cherokee Fast (90cm)
- Why it’s a best-seller: A top brand name, incredibly reliable, and packed with features. One of the best spearguns for the money.
- Key Features: Magnetic spear lock, easy-to-use safety, ergonomic handle, aluminum barrel.
- Best For: The beginner who wants a high-quality, do-it-all reef gun from day one.
2. JBL Woody Sawed-Off Magnum (38 Special)
- Why it’s a best-seller: Legendary durability and power. A heavy-duty workhorse.
- Key Features: African Mahogany wooden speargun stock, time-tested M8 trigger mechanism, stainless steel shaft.
- Best For: Spearfishers who are hard on their gear and need something that will last forever.
3. Mares Sten Pneumatic Speargun (84cm)
- Why it’s a best-seller: One of the best pneumatic spearguns on the market, offering incredible power in a very compact package.
- Key Features: Pneumatic (air-powered) design, great for shooting into holes with high power.
- Best For: Divers who hunt in tight structures and need short-range punching power.
4. Salvimar Metal (95cm)
- Why it’s a best-seller: Features normally found on much more expensive guns, like a full stainless steel trigger mechanism.
- Key Features: “Metal” trigger mechanism for incredible precision, option to add a roller muzzle for more power.
- Best For: The ambitious beginner who wants a gun they can upgrade and grow with.
5. SEAC Sub Sting (75cm)
- Why it’s a best-seller: An extremely affordable and durable entry-point gun.
- Key Features: Simple, robust design, perfect for learning and hunting in very tight, low-visibility conditions.
- Best For: Absolute beginners, young hunters, or those who need a dedicated “hole gun.”
A Quick Word on Rigging and Other Gear
- Rigging: Most of these guns come “ready to shoot” with a single band and a basic flopper-tip shaft. For 99% of beginner reef hunting, this is perfect. You can add a reel later as you gain experience and start hunting larger fish.
- Other Essential Gear: Remember, the speargun is just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need a good mask, snorkel, a pair of long fins, a wetsuit appropriate for the water temperature, a weight belt, and a dive knife. Always check local regulations before you dive.
Conclusion
For most spearfishers hunting on the reef, a 90cm band-powered speargun like the Cressi Cherokee is the undisputed champion. It offers the ideal mix of power, range, and maneuverability for this challenging and rewarding environment.
Choose the model from our spearguns list that fits your budget and ambition, grab it on Amazon, and get ready to hunt the reef with the right speargun for the job.
