The 3 best harpoons 2024?

Spearfishing has a long tradition worldwide, even though the sport is banned in this country. Would you also like to go hunting underwater and are looking for a harpoon?

The agony of making the right choice:

Harpoons are very different from each other and are used in different regions, in different sizes and for a certain size of fish. It is often difficult to keep track of the wide range of products on offer.

Safety-First!

To help you find the right harpoon, BeyondSurfing presents the most popular harpoons from 2024. In this guide, we explain the 7 biggest dangers of spearfishing. You can also find out which 8 safety rules must be observed under water.

The best harpoon 2024?

In a hurry? Our favorite harpoon:

Mares Viper Pro*

What characterizes the offer?

• For beginners and advanced
• Open mouth
• Barrel made of anodized aluminium
• Stainless steel release mechanism
• Anatomical handle
• Two elastic bands 16 mm
• Incl. Role

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These are the top 3 harpoons in 2024

Best harpoon for advanced users

1. Mares Viper Pro

Mares Viper Pro*

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Summary

The Mares Viper Pro DS is the right harpoon for those who demand a little more from their harpoon or are on the hunt for big fish. Depending on the model, it is well suited for hunting small and large fish. It is available in sizes 90 cm, 100 cm and 110 cm.

Two rubber bands (16 mm) ensure that the spear can be shot under water to a distance of approx. 5 to 7 m. The open muzzle makes aiming easier and ensures that the harpoon is quite quiet when fired.

The release mechanism is made of stainless steel. The handle is made of rubber and is ergonomically shaped.

The harpoon is very high quality and more suitable for advanced anglers than for beginners. This is why its price is higher than the other harpoons in this selection.

Conclusion

Very sophisticated harpoon for advanced and beginners.

Product details

Size: 90 cm, 100 cm or 110 cm | Elastic: 2 x 16 mm | Spear: 6.5 mm, various sizes | Barrel: anodized aluminium | Muzzle: closed | Spear: N/A; various sizes

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Best harpoon for beginners

2. cressi Apache

Cressi Apache*

75,99

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Summary

This harpoon is ideal for all spearfishing beginners or as a second harpoon and has a very good price-performance ratio. It is available in sizes 35-90 cm and is best suited for hunting small fish in shallow waters, caves and in poor visibility.

The 6.5 mm javelin is fired with the aid of a rubber pull, which has a diameter of 13 mm. As the elastic is very thin for a harpoon, the Apache can only be shot a few meters under water. The closed muzzle facilitates loading and increases the precision of the harpoon.

The aluminium barrel is anodized and resistant to corrosion from salt water. The harpoon tip is equipped with a barb and can be changed as the spear has a thread.

Conclusion

Beginner or second harpoon with a good price-performance ratio.

Product details

Size: 35 cm, 45 cm, 60 cm, 75 cm, 90 cm | Elastic: 13 mm | Spear: 6.5 mm | Barrel: anodized aluminium | Muzzle: closed | Spear: threaded

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Best harpoon for small fish

3. cressi Sioux

Cressi Sioux*

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Summary

The Cressi Sioux impresses with its reliability and ease of use. It is suitable for both beginners and advanced users, for the latter rather as a second harpoon, in poor visibility or in caves.

As all models have max. 75 cm long, this harpoon is only suitable for hunting small fish at a distance of 3 to 4 m. The included elastic has a diameter of 16 mm, but a second one can be attached, which gives the harpoon more power.

The 6 mm spear is well suited for hunting small fish, but has too little penetrating power for larger fish. The spearhead can be replaced if it becomes damaged. Thanks to the closed muzzle, the harpoon is easy to load and accurate.

The release mechanism is made of plastic and wears out more quickly. This can cause the harpoon to fire without the trigger being pulled. The mechanism must therefore be checked regularly.

Conclusion

Entry-level or second harpoon, can be fitted with a second elastic band if required.

Product details

Size: 50 cm, 60 cm, 75 cm | Elastic: 13 mm (second elastic can be added) | Spear: 6 mm | Barrel: aluminum | Muzzle: closed | Spear: 6 mm; with thread

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Bestsellers: The most popular harpoons

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Seac Sting, Rubber Harpune Aluminium-Finish, 65 cm*	74,06	» View Offer
2		Cressi Apache Harpune Fischen Gummizug, schwarz, 75 cm, FE341075*	89,99 60,00	» View Offer
3		Uadme Spearfishing Shock Cord, 360 ° 2 mm Heavy Duty Harpune Bungee Cord Rebound Harpune...*	11,99	» View Offer
4		Fischfischer Speerfischer Harpune Tauchgang aufgespießt Tank Top*	17,99	» View Offer
5		Seac Killer Nylon, Pfeilspitze Dreizack, Leicht, für Speerfischen Harpune*	5,76	» View Offer
6		Baixia 16X 3MM Speerfischen Gummi Harpune Bands Emulsions RöHre Tauchen Speerfischen...*	14,14	» View Offer
7		Leapiture Fishing Gig Fishing Harpoon Fishing Speer Barbed Fishing Gig Accuracy Fishing...*	17,10	» View Offer
8		Seac Killer Nylon, Pfeilspitze Vierzack, Leicht, für Speerfischen Harpune*	6,99 5,99	» View Offer
9		Seac Zum, Pfeilspitze aus 100% Edelstahl, für Speerfischen Harpune*	9,99	» View Offer
10		SALVIMAR Heavy 3 Points harpune*	7,67	» View Offer
11		LEIDIMUS 1,5 Mm Neopren-Spearfishing-Anzug Mit Kapuze, 2-Teiliger Tarnjagd-Tauchanzug Für...*	115,08	» View Offer

(**Last update 2024-09-16)

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Buy a harpoon:
How to make the right decision

Which harpoon is right for me? There is no quick answer to this question, as many factors play a role:

• Would you like to hunt large or small fish?
• How much experience do you already have?
• Which ocean will you be fishing in?

You should ask yourself all these questions before you buy. Why?

Harpoons are highly customizable and many of the individual parts can be exchanged for others. You can find out how a harpoon is constructed and which part has which function in BeyondSurfing’s buying guide.

The different types of harpoons?

Our ancestors used simple throwing spears with barbs and continued to develop them over the centuries. Nowadays there are very sophisticated harpoons whose spears are fired with the aid of compressed air or rubber bands.

Here you can find out what types of harpoons are available and what their advantages and disadvantages are. The most common harpoons are:

1. Pneumatic harpoons
2. Harpoons with elastic band
3. $ style harpoons
4. Rail Gun Harpoons
5. American-style harpoons

1 Pneumatic harpoons

Pneumatic harpoons work with compressed air. The pressure cylinder inside the harpoon is filled with a pump and thus pressurized. To get the harpoon ready to fire, the spear is pushed into the barrel from above. Depending on how strong the diver is, this is not so easy, as the pressure in the cylinder acts against the spear.

Once the spear has completely disappeared into the barrel, it snaps into place on the butt and can then be fired with a pull on the trigger mechanism. The force required to fire the spear depends on the pressure in the cylinder.

The best:

Pneumatic harpoons have little recoil, which leads to good accuracy. Depending on the pressure, they have a considerable range. Ideal for hunting fish that quickly run away when a human gets too close.

The spear is 8 mm thick and very robust. Most pneumatic harpoons have a high penetrating power and are suitable for hunting large fish in the open sea.

Pneumatic harpoons are available in various sizes. Typical lengths are 55 cm, 70 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm up to 135 cm. Some harpoons have a so-called Hi-Low adapter, with which the air pressure can be reduced in order to shoot at short distances.

Good performance, but prone to errors:

That all sounds very good, but what are the disadvantages of a pneumatic harpoon? As mentioned, a lot of force is required for loading, even if the right technique plays a major role here.

When fired, it makes a loud noise that can frighten fish in the vicinity. In addition, the harpoon must be refilled with air every 2-3 weeks. The pressure in the cylinder is sufficient for approx. 50-100 shots. The many individual parts are susceptible to damage. Air holes may occur or the firing mechanism may fail and a shot may be released unintentionally.

These many disadvantages sound daunting, but pneumatic harpoons are not a bad choice. High-quality harpoons with a metal firing mechanism eliminate many of these risks. Regular care and proper handling of the harpoon also prevents damage.

2 Harpoons with elastic band

Harpoons with elastic bands have a long tradition and are used all over the world. They have a lot of power, which depends on the thickness of the rubber band used. The thicker the band, the stronger the pull and also the penetrating power of the spear.

As the diver has a direct view of the spear, such harpoons are easy to aim. Harpoons with rubber bands are very quiet when fired and do not frighten any fish in the vicinity. Typical lengths are 50 cm, 75 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm and 130 cm.

Hardly any maintenance necessary:

Of course, the harpoon should be cleaned well with fresh water after every trip into the water, otherwise the rubbers in particular will be damaged and become porous. Apart from that, the harpoon hardly needs any maintenance. The barrel is usually made of aluminum, carbon or hardwood.

Such harpoons are often used with a thin spear 6 to 7 mm thick. This bends easily when used to hunt large fish. The loading times depend on how many rubbers are fitted.

3 $ style harpoons

As the name suggests, $ style harpoons are mainly used for hunting off the European coast. And there is a reason for this. The native fish here are usually smaller than fish species in America. $ style harpoons are best suited for hunting fish weighing up to 3 kg. When hunting larger fish, it often happens that the spear bends.

The spear of $ style harpoons is usually between 6 and 7 mm thick. The rubber bands are 16 mm, 18 mm or 20 mm thick and the harpoons are 75 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 110 cm, 120 cm or 130 cm in size. The barrel is usually made of aluminum, carbon or hardwood.

With these harpoons you are very agile in the water, loading is easy and quick. If you want to hunt mainly in $, you can use $ style harpoons.

4 Rail Gun

The rail gun can be seen as a further development of the $ style harpoon and is often used in South Africa. It has the same advantages as the $ style harpoon, is quick to load and agile in the water.

High accuracy:

The rail runs along the barrel and ensures that the spear is flat along its entire length. This allows them to be fired with high precision.

Rail guns are usually used with one or two rubber bands. If one band is used, this is usually 20 mm thick, with two bands it is 16-18 mm. The spear is between 7 and 8 mm long and is suitable for medium-sized fish. Really large and thick-skinned fish cannot be ideally hunted with it.

5 American-style harpoon

American-style harpoons are available for hunting really big fish, which are mainly found in American waters. The spear is between 8 and 9 mm thick and the harpoon is usually made of hardwood, making it very robust.

The harpoon has to be, because up to 6 rubber bands are stretched on it. The more rubbers, the greater the firepower of the harpoon. The disadvantage is that this makes the harpoon somewhat unwieldy. In addition, the cord that runs underneath the barrel must be rolled up again each time.

The right harpoon size?

When it comes to the question of how big the harpoon should be, it is important to know the conditions under which you will be harpoon fishing. The factors of visibility and location play the most important role here.

• For beginners:

  A harpoon between 100 and 120 cm is best suited for harpoon beginners. Harpoons of this size are the right choice in most situations, of course they are not always perfect, but 100 to 120 cm is a good all-round size.

• In caves or in poor visibility:

  Visibility is often poor in a cave, just as it is in the sea when the water is very murky. Then, for short distance hunting, a harpoon between 50 and 75 cm long should be used. You can also use a short harpoon to move better in caves and shoot at fish in crevices and cracks.

• In clear water or on reefs:

  If visibility under water is good or you are hunting on the reef, harpoons longer than 75 cm are used, preferably 100 to 120 cm. These provide enough range for pelagic fish (fish that do not live on the seabed) and prevent fish from being scared off.

• In the open sea:

  Those who hunt in open waters are after large prey, such as tuna. These fish are often far away from the diver, so harpoons must have a long range.
  Long harpoons are used to ensure that the shot goes far enough and to hit the fish with enough force. We recommend a harpoon length of over 140 cm in the open sea.

The right harpoon spear?

The spear is the projectile that is fired from the harpoon. The rod can be equipped with a fixed tip or a thread. The advantage of a threaded spear is that the tip can be changed.

Which material?

The choice of materials includes classic stainless steel, galvanized steel and hardened stainless steel. We recommend hardened stainless steel, as this is the most robust and least susceptible to corrosion.

If a shot misses the target and the tip breaks on a stone, it can simply be replaced. This means that only one part needs to be replaced and a new spear does not have to be bought straight away. Nevertheless, a spare spear is recommended.

The right thickness of spear?

How thick the spear needs to be depends on which fish are being hunted. Spears are usually between 6.5 and 9 mm thick.

The thinner the spear, the faster it glides through the water, but it also has less penetrating power. This is not a problem with small fish, but thin spears are not ideal for hunting fish with thicker skin.

The right harpoon spearhead?

The spearhead is either screwed onto the front of the spear or is already firmly attached to it. The spear is either straight or a so-called tri-cut spear with two barbs attached.

1. Straight spearheads:

   Best suited for fish with thin skin that is easy to penetrate, e.g. yellowtails, bluefish, mackerel or gilthead bream.

2. Tri-Cut spearheads:

   Used for fish with thick skin. These include snooks and snappers, for example.

The right harpoon elastics?

The firepower of the harpoon depends on the length, diameter and number of rubber bands used:

• The thicker the elastic, the higher the firepower
• Several elastic bands can be tensioned

The thicker the strap and the more straps are tensioned, the greater the firepower. Typical sizes are 9/16 inch (1.43 cm) or ⅝ inch (1.59 cm).

The right harpoon release mechanism?

The trigger mechanism is activated at the trigger and ensures that the spear is fired from the harpoon. It is made of stainless steel or plastic.

Risk of misfiring:

We always recommend buying a harpoon with a stainless steel release mechanism.

Why?

Most other materials wear out over time, creating the risk of misfiring. In this case, the harpoon fires without the trigger being pulled. This is not only annoying, but can also cause serious injuries.

The right material for the harpoon barrel?

The barrel of the harpoon can be made of wood, stainless steel, carbon or aluminum. In most cases, the material only plays a role in terms of weight and aesthetics.

For beginners:

We recommend a stainless steel harpoon for spearfishing beginners. This fulfills its purpose just like all other materials and has the best price-performance ratio.

The right shooting line?

The shooting line is a line to which the spear is attached. Without this important part of the harpoon, a fish could simply swim away with the spear if the hit did not kill it directly. Weight plays a major role in choosing the right shooting line. The lighter the line, the less resistance it has in the water and the spear can fly further.

Typical materials for the shooting line of harpoons are nylon, Kevlar, monofilament or stainless steel. Nylon and monofilament are the right choice in most situations, are also durable and the cheapest.

Stainless steel cables are used for hunting large fish. Although these are susceptible to rust and often wear out over time, they are absolutely essential for large fish.

The right harpoon muzzle?

The muzzle is located at the front end of the barrel, pointing away from the spear fisherman. A distinction is made between open and closed mouths.

Open mouth:

• Good aim
• Quiet
• Somewhat imprecise

With an open muzzle, aiming is easy as the spear is viewed directly from above. The harpoon is also quieter when fired, which means that fish in the vicinity are not so easily spooked.

However, reloading is somewhat more difficult and a harpoon with an open muzzle is less accurate, as the spear bends slightly when fired.

Closed mouth:

• Aim harder
• According to
• Exactly
• Easier reloading

Many spear fishermen are of the opinion that it is more difficult to aim with a closed muzzle because you are not looking directly at the spear. However, this statement is highly controversial. The decision as to whether the mouth should be open or closed depends largely on the personal preferences of the diver.

The fact is: harpoons with closed muzzles are somewhat louder when fired and can frighten fish in the vicinity.

In addition, harpoons with a closed muzzle have more recoil, which must be compensated for. Accuracy is increased because the spear does not bend when fired. Another advantage is that harpoons with a closed muzzle are easy to reload.

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The right way to handle water

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5 tips for proper harpoon care

As the harpoon is always in contact with salt water, it must be maintained regularly to prevent damage and corrosion. With these 5 tips, your harpoon will last a long time:

1. Rinse with fresh water:

   After the dive, rinse the harpoon with plenty of fresh water and remove any dirt such as sand or plant parts.

2. Check the spear:

   The spear and spearhead must be checked before use. The spear should not be (strongly) bent and the spearhead must be intact. This is the only way to ensure a successful catch.

3. Check the rubber bands:

   The rubber bands of the harpoon must be checked regularly. These must not be porous or show signs of damage such as cracks or cuts. If the tapes are not used for a longer period of time, they must be stored in a cold and dry place. We recommend changing the elastic bands once a year.

4. Disassemble the harpoon:

   At regular intervals, or before the next vacation, the harpoon must be taken apart and the individual parts checked for functionality. If a part starts to rust or shows heavy wear or even damage, it must be replaced.

5. Check the mechanics:

   All mechanical parts, such as the firing mechanism, should be checked regularly, especially if the harpoon has not been fired for a long time. They should be in perfect working order and show no signs of rust or corrosion. The springs must be oiled every six months.

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7 Dangers of spearfishing

Spearfishing is a dangerous sport and should only be practiced if you are completely confident. These are the dangers that lurk when spearfishing:

1. Drowning

   The greatest danger is drowning and many of the following points can lead to this.

2. Waves

   The sea is often rough and you have to overcome the surf to get onto the water. It must therefore be ensured where the sea can be safely entered and exited. If the swell is too strong, the dive is postponed.

3. Currents

   On the surface and underwater, there are sometimes strong currents and swells that can cause you to drift away in seconds. If you watch the sea to recognize currents early and ask the local lifeguards or other spearfishermen about possible dangers, you are on the safe side.

4. Ears

   Without proper pressure equalization when descending, permanent and irreversible damage to the ear can occur.

5. Swimming pool blackout

   This phenomenon is also known as a shallow water blackout. When a person hyperventilates before descending, the CO2 content in the blood drops sharply, suppressing the breathing reflex. The diver is underwater for too long and suddenly passes out without any prior warning signals from the body. This often leads to drowning.

6. Injuries

   You or your spearfishing buddy may be responsible for this. Nobody wants to have a spear in their body, especially not in their torso. The harpoon should therefore never be aimed at yourself or another person.

7. Sharks

   Even if sharks attack humans relatively rarely, in certain regions the danger of a shark attack is real and should not be underestimated.

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Apnea and spearfishing

Ethical spearfishing is not practiced with an oxygen device or other diving equipment such as a buoyancy compensator. To be able to stay underwater for a long time, spearfishermen learn to freedive.

Important:

Freediving and spearfishing are not for inexperienced water sports enthusiasts. You should be a strong swimmer and very physically fit!

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Safety First: 8 rules for spearfishing

The main dangers of spearfishing are already known. We will now explain the rules that must be observed underwater to avoid accidents and life-threatening situations.

• Always dive with a buddy: A diving partner can intervene in an emergency and save lives.
• One at the top, one at the bottom: This rule exists so that you don’t accidentally shoot each other down. One of them stays above water and only dives down when his buddy is back on the surface.
• NEVER hyperventilate: This rule is extremely important because disregarding it can lead to death. Because if you hyperventilate before descending, you risk a shallow-water blackout.
• Recovery breathing: After reaching the surface again, take time to breathe calmly.
• Drink enough: To prevent dehydration during the dive, fluid intake is very important. It supports blood circulation and helps to oxygenate the muscles.
• Only load the harpoon under water: The harpoon should never be loaded on land. If these were fired accidentally, the spear would fly much further than in the water and could injure people.
• Never point the barrel at people: The barrel of the harpoon must never be pointed at a person! When swimming on the surface, the harpoon is held in the middle and not by the handle, so it points backwards and not at the swimmer.
• Respect your partner: Don’t demand too much from your diving partner, no fish is worth risking your own life or that of your partner.

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Well-known brands and manufacturers?

The best-known and most popular surf wear brands & manufacturers include

Cressi, Seac (Sting Sling), Salvimar, Mares

So far there are no test reports from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on harpoons. The manufacturers in this list offer high-quality harpoons, so you can be sure of getting a good product.

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Flying with a harpoon?

Many spearfishers want to practice their hobby on vacation, as the sport is banned in this country and can only be practiced illegally, which we strongly advise against.

But am I even allowed to take my harpoon on the plane? In most cases, the answer is yes! However, the airline’s baggage policy and the regulations of the destination country must always be observed.

Pneumatic harpoons:

Pneumatic harpoons can be a problem as many airlines do not transport pressurized containers. If a pneumatic harpoon may be taken along, then only when empty.

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Conclusion: The most popular harpoons reviewed

Beginners in particular find it difficult to get an overview. Anyone who has read the guide carefully now knows what is important in a good harpoon and what effect the individual parts have on the harpoon.

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Specialist literature, sources & further links

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