too shallow

So lets hear your opinions.....scuba..freedive..which one float line, or reel? lets hear your

Dan

I think all the opinions you will get here will be for freediving. Do scuba hunters even use floats or reels? I'm not sure what they use. If I was scuba hunting I'd try a leash on the gun with a loop over my wrist.

For starters it's not just about the float line but float as well. At times you can get away with a small float that will be just enough to keep your gun and a decent size fish from sinking. I look for the maximum flotation possible at the same time keeping the drag minimal. Remember that it's a law in some SE Florida counties that if you're, what is it 300ft?, away from a boat with a flag you must have a dive flag. When beach diving the float will double as a place to keep the fish and of course a required flag. Many people use a modified boogie board for this. Since in most cases you're gonna have a float it follows that you'll be using a float line.

too shallow

I've actually got something like that, but it wont be much use if a fish starts pulling seeing that it'll get knocked over.

I got a nice thick floating innertube, shoved a 5 gallon bucket in the middle of in, epoxyed the bucket in, and duck taped a dive flag to the side of the bucket. I tether it to my weight belt so I can just throw fish is the bucket and keep diving, and not worry about being a swimming chum slick.

seaweed

Most times a floatline is good. It gets in the way if everyone is using a floatline. It sucks when something is dragging on you line and you look up to see that it is someone elses float tangled with yours. It also catches on the boat making you have to turn back and undo it.

I use a reel when vis is good and diving on a wreck or structure less than 60 fsw or drifting. Basically any situation in which you can substitue your float for a boat.

Dan

I never get tangles in my own float line. The only foul ups occur with other peoples float lines. This happens for a few reasons. First people insist on getting a fancy tube style float line. This kind of float line is unnecessarily thick and doesn't handle or coil up well. Consequently people who use it don't use a spool and let the full length of the float line drag behind them. The float line is usually purchased at maximum length for the possibility of deep diving. It is then 120' long. Users of this line will then let the full length trail behind them even when diving in 30'. This is inconsiderate IMO if you're diving in close proximity to other divers. All for what? To have a fancy float line that is more expensive and doesn't perform any better than a regular polypropylene rope.

The other thing that float line users (especially tube style float line users) fail to do is gather up and coil the float line while on the surface in between dives. The benefits coiling the float line are; When it's time for the next dive you let loose the coiled float line and you have zero drag on your descent as opposed to dragging your float on the surface the whole distance. You eliminate a long trailing float line which can cause foul ups with fellow divers. The motions of gathering up the float line into a coil are relaxing and provide a rhythm for your breath up which times and prepares you for the next dive.

There is one exception that I learned of where a reel is a better option and that is diving in California kelp. A float would get hung up in the kelp when diving through it. But even for this a float line with a very small streamlined float is a viable option.

I haven't even gotten into all the scenarios where a float line will save your or your buddies life, or at least your gun. Just think of how lucky Steve Bennet and Cameron were that by fluke the spear on that one dive was attached to a downrigger.

monster slayer

Float line all the way. The main reason is safety. With a floatline you are able to attach a float or buoy to it. The advantages of this are twofold: Better vis in rough waters and a plataform to rest or to carry the speared fishes. A couple of months ago, we were (freediving) hunting the pacific side of Todos Santos for groupers.( We landed a huge load of 30 pounders by the way)
The pinnacles are in the open sea, the currents are heavy and to top it off, the place is loaded with sharks. I was swiming in the surface when i heard a strenous cry, and i went full speed to lend a hand, it was the teenager son of the pangero who got a nasty cramp in the leg. I was able to pull the float and handed it to him, and then gave him assistance while the panga was on to recover him. Should i used a reel, and then we both had been probably in a dangerous situation. Floatline, float combo all the way...

monster slayer

My float of choice is the Riffe inflatable, it has minimum drag, stands very high in rough seas, and you can attach a lot of things to it. I have a R.A., Hippo Float, and a rigid R.A. as well, those are great for fight huge fishes, but the riffe is best for overall use. I have an Omer Shardana that is great for shallow water, small to medium fishes hunting from coast. It has a lot of drag once you have some decent fish hanging out, and is heavy as hell out of the water, the good thing about it, is that you may rest there and it carries a heap of equipment and other stuff. Is designed to carry a couple of spearguns, fishes an a bunch of equipment. Riffe´s inflatable only downside is the obscene price.

monster slayer

By the way, i carry on my float a signal mirror, a flare gun with flares, a whistle and extra flag, I am a pussy when it comes to safety, a bunch of divers had been lost their guts around here. I take no chances. Besides i always carry a spare whistle in my neck, just in case ...

hau

freedive with reel with 200ft Qpowerline. My yak is my float.

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Dan

hau, is your yak attached to the gun via the float line or do you leave it anchored?