Here are some spearfishing recommendations from our friends in South Africa

Wetsuit

3mm top and bottom for warm conditions: (68degrees F and up)

5mm top and bottom for mild conditions (62-67 degrees F)

7mm top and bottom for 62F or cooler

Goggles/ Masks

low volume silicone

Snorkel

silicone snorkel

Flippers/Fins

long bladed with removable blades

Weight belt

rubber or elasticized with quick release

Float/ line

moulded foam of bright colour with 30m line for shore dive and 40m line for boat dive

Spear Gun * (More info below)

1.3m-1.5m barrel rail gun for clear visibility with spear .4meters longer than the barrel.  Spears made mostly from 7mm spring steel for stiffness and economy. 1.0-1.2m for moderate to good visibility shooting on the reef .7m-.9m barrel gun for poor visibility or hole-shooting.  Most guns are fitted with a single super-strong rubber which is adequate for all occasions.

Booties

neoprene booties or socks

Gloves

Knitted gloves with tough flexible coating, 3mm recommended

Knife

small with good cutting edge

Stringer

20cm stainless spike with length of coated stainless-steel cable attached to float by swivel

Net

net with draw string opening attached to float for rock lobster or abalone

*On Selecting A Speargun

This type of gun question is probably the most contentious topic in all of spearfishing and will continue to rage so as long as there are still fish in the sea. At Sumora, we feel that asking “what is the best gun” is a bit like asking “How long is a piece of string?”

The answer is largely dependent on a number of variables that change according to circumstance: the specie of fish being hunted, the diving conditions (visibility, currents, and size of surf), the location being dived, and the experience of the diver. Accordingly, most experienced divers tend to own a collection of guns to provide them with the optimal tools in all conditions.

Having said this, most divers have a favourite gun that they use 80% of the time. This is especially true for divers operating out of their home water where conditions will be reasonably consistent, and where one gun will suffice for all but exceptional conditions. If you are unsure about selecting a gun, and have inquiries regarding the aspects of particular guns, please let us know.

Whether you are searching for a comfortable handle, a strong bluewater trigger mechanism capable of taking down the largest pelagics, we have the guns for you. 

As a general rule, the Hunter line is the most economical, featuring the Stealth grip and an aluminum integrated railed barrel.  The ultimate in comfort is the Stealth line with a polymer silencer track and a loading butt.  The Apex has a stainless steel trigger mechanism for more a raw "power feel" and performance for bluewater.  The Apex Carbon also features the thickest walled carbon fiber barrel and it is no wonder divers have captured world record fish with it in Florida, Fiji, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa. 

We are very proud of the way the gun performs and strive to only carry the BEST equipment worldwide.  Three of the Top 5 divers at the 2007 Omer Hatteras Tournament are our customers.  And the 2006 Spearfishing National Champions used Sumora Spears and Ritchie Zacker, National Team champion member exclusively used Rabitech railguns.  Our railguns have taken over 10 World records and numerous South African records including: Marlin, Tuna, Jewfish and Groupers. 

We hope that the following table serves as a guide of what guns may be appropriate for your type of diving but if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at any time. 

Measuring Railgun length: **Note, with railgun length, the "length" referred to is the length of the barrel only, and does not include the handle and the muzzle.  For example a "100cm gun" has a barrel length of 39", a muzzle length of 2", and a handle of about 6 inches, making this a 47" gun from butt to muzzle.

Please note that this guide has been compiled based on personal experience and individual preferences may differ. Accordingly this is a guideline only and is not intended to be prescriptive.