CrazyPFD

I have been spearfishing a bunch here recently and each time sharks have literally swarmed all over us. We didn't give up our fish but I would like to get a powerhead or bangstick. I do not know much about either. When I search for it I get this thing for an aquarium. So my questionsare which one should I get and what works better?

Orion45

http://www.beco-products.com/beco_catalog.htm

seanmclemore

i've been carrying a biller 357 mag powerhead that is threaded to go on my spearshaft. i can vouch that it shoots and it sure is comforting to have. i have it on an aluminum pole spear and it will go off just jabbing it against something like an aj. go get one.

countryjwh

do you dive with the pole spear at all times and just keep it on "safety" and break it out when you need it or do you just carry it down when you know sharks are in the area.

Daydreamin

My buddy hasa .45 cal mounted on a 3' shaft. I was the one carrying it the day we came across an 8-10' bull shark that was focused on us and could care less about the fish we had shot. It was right then that I realized that the length of thebang stickwas much more important to me than the size of the "bang". As aggressive as that shark was I began to doubt if I could hit him before he hit me. Fortunately we were able to avoid that show down. I have never been in the water when one was actually used but I have heard from others that a .45cal going off under water will hurt your ears. Others with experience might be able to point you towards a caliber that might be a "best" choice.

CrazyPFD

Is it ok for me to go down with the polespear, with a normal spearhead and carry the powerhead in my pocket unloaded of corse? I really don't want to go down there with a speargun and polegun. My experience with sharks so far, they come in close to what I am spearing, and glide in and out of my area. My thought is at that time, I would be putting my powerhead on. Any ideas or thoughts?

Also would the 12 guage be an ok one to get?

Orion45

I would not want to be the one firing a 12 ga under water or be anywhere close for that matter. Tooloud.Beco hasmodels that attachover the tip of your spear so you can firethem using your speargun (as if you were spearing the fish). What actually kills the fish is the gas expansion and not the bullet.

http://www.beco-products.com/beco_223_powerhead.htm

http://www.beco-products.com/beco_44mag_powerhead.htm

http://www.beco-products.com/beco_12ga_powerhead.htm

All said, I personally opted to buy a Shark Shield (Freedom 7) instead of a bang stick. I use it when spearfishing and never think about sharks. The sharks try to approach but don't get any closer than 10-15 feet. The Shark Shield is expensive but I don't worry about spearfishing in bad visibility or ascending through murky waters, by myself, and carrying bloody fish on my stringer. Here's the link to the Shark Shield website:

http://www.sharkshield.com/Content/Home/

PM me ifyou have any questions about my experiences with the Shark Shield. Just so you know, I'm only a user and not a dealer/retailer.

BuckWild

i've got a 357, but shoot 38's in it. not too loud and does the trick. they all will make you jump underwater when they go off, but it's not that bad.

CrazyPFD

Thank you very much for this info. I think I will be getting the .357 powerhead. I already have ammo for that.

timekiller

Just incase you were interested, there is a guy (shaftslinger) on Sperfishingplanet.com selling slip on powerheads for .357 and .223 for $17.00. I am not a spokesperson, nor do I get anything for advertising. Just passing the word around.