Speargun Tips
Speargun tips are also known as spear heads. These sharp metal objects cause devastation to the fish when the shot is placed properly. The fish can be either instantly paralysed or fight and get away, depending on your shot placement and the speargun tips being used, determines the outcome.
When looking for speargun tips it is important to consider the kind of spearfishing you want to do. Speargun tips come in many different shapes and sizes. The best tip for your spear shaft is the one that will get the best results for the fish species you're hunting.
The 3 most popular speargun tips are Cluster tips, Harpoon tips (aka Mako head) and Trident tips.
Cluster tips have prongs that point outwards, they have barbs on the end and are most effective against smaller reef fish. They are perfect for smaller species of fish because the prongs allow for a greater striking area. Cluster heads are also very popular in hand spears (pole spears).
Trident head tends to be less popular than the cluster and harpoon style head. Similar to the cluster head, the trident is used for smaller reef fish. The Trident resembles a pitch fork with the prongs (normally 3 or 5) going in a straight line.
Harpoon or Mako head is a single streamlined point, with very little water drag, this is the fastest tip for your shaft. The tip comes with 1 or 2 “flappers” attached to prevent the fish getting away.
Harpoon speargun tips are by far the most popular, when purchasing a new speargun it will likely have a harpoon tip connected to the shaft. The main reason harpoon speargun tips are so famous is the multi-purpose nature of the tip. Unlike cluster and trident tips, harpoon speargun tips are able not only able to catch small reef fish but they are also to take down large predator fish species with ease. Because the tip is a single arrow like point it can pass straight through large fish. The flappers are able to hold big fish without coming unstuck.
Like most spearfishing equipment it is recommended to carry extra speargun tips. The sharp edges of speargun tips can become easily dulled when shooting at reef fish. When you miss the spear will often hit the reef which causes speargun tips to become blunt quickly. It is important to sharpen the edges of your speargun tips between dives.