Speargun

The basic components of a speargun are a spear, a stock or barrel, and a handle or grip containing a trigger mechanism.

Band-powered spearguns, which are the simplest and cheapest to maintain, with rubber being the predominant material, come in two types: those made from wood (often referred to as a Hawaiian sling), and those of sealed tubing metal or composite and/or a combination of these materials construction: referred to as the stock or barrel respectively.

[1] A rubber-powered speargun, besides the barrel, has the following parts: A pneumatic gun differs from a rubber model in that it has a thicker spear that goes inside a sealed internal barrel encased in a hollow sealed outer casing that contains the air which is at ambient pressure until it is pumped up by hand to a pressure usually equal to one strong rubber band.

Once at the required pressure the spear is forced down the barrel to engage the trigger mechanism and is then loaded and ready.

Traditionally, rear-handle spearguns are popular in Europe and mid-handle guns were used in North America, however as spearfishing has developed as an international sport these distinctions have blurred.

This is the most common method for taking fish by speargun and the majority of the other types of setups use the mentioned connection options to the shaft.

The fish will then gradually slide up the float rope as the diver swims until it rests underneath the buoy.

The spearfisher is then able to subdue the fish from the buoy or float line while retaining possession of his gun.

This setup can be used in conjunction with elastic bungee-style rope and a body board style float with locking cleats.

Reel setups are useful when ocean structures such as built up reef or kelp gardens prevent the spearfisher from towing a buoy.

If the fish is too large to hang on to, the diver can tie it off or release it, only losing his spear and rope.