How to Choose a Speargun: Buyer's Guide

Why Choosing the Right Speargun Matters

A speargun is the most personal piece of gear a spearfisher owns. The wrong choice means missed shots, frustrated dives, and wasted money. The right one becomes an extension of your body underwater. This guide walks you through every decision so you can buy with confidence.

Band-Powered vs. Pneumatic Spearguns

The first fork in the road is gun type:

• Band-powered (rubber band) spearguns are the most popular worldwide. They're reliable, easy to maintain, and work well in a wide range of conditions. Most beginners and intermediate divers start here.
• Pneumatic spearguns use compressed air to fire the shaft. They're powerful and compact for their length, but require more maintenance and a learning curve to load and care for properly.

For most divers, a band-powered gun is the right starting point.  We at Blue Water Hunter mostly stock band powered.  

Choosing the Right Length

Speargun length is measured in centimeters and is one of the most important decisions you'll make:

• 50–75 cm: Tight reef diving, caves, and murky water with low visibility. Highly maneuverable.
• 75–100 cm: The all-around sweet spot for reef fish and moderate visibility. Great for beginners.
• 100–130 cm: Open water, pelagic species, and clear blue water. More power and range.
• 130 cm+: Big game bluewater hunting. Requires experience to load and handle safely.

A good rule of thumb: match your gun length to your typical visibility. If you can see 10 meters, a 90–100 cm gun is a solid choice.

Enclosed Track vs. Open Track

• Enclosed track: The shaft rides inside a channel, improving accuracy. Great for beginners.
• Open track (railgun): The shaft sits on top of the barrel. Preferred by experienced divers for its power and feel.

What About Reels and Lines?

For bluewater or pelagic hunting, a reel or float line is essential — it keeps you connected to your fish after the shot.  Because we have kelp beds, we suggest float lines as reels can be a big mess and challenging to bring in after shooting a big fish.  

Ready to Shop?

Browse our full selection of spearguns at Blue Water Hunter — from entry-level reef guns to high-performance bluewater rigs. Not sure which one is right for your setup? Reach out and we'll help you dial it in.  Questons, give us a call or better yet, come into the shop.