Spearfishing Floats 101

[@johnlippert4119]

Thanks for running through these, I think a float is going to be my next piece of equipment. I'm curious, what type and length of line is usually used with a float?

[@DivingSports]

Some entry level floats come with lines, however they aren't great quality and don't last super long. Braided lines are common as they're cheap and get the job done, however they tangle easily. Up from there you have the bungee style line and then spectra. Spectra is quite expensive so most people don't use it, and bungees are more affordable and don't tangle up. I personally like bungee float lines. I'd get a line a bit longer than the depth you're typically diving. If you're diving up to 50ft, I'd go with around a 75ft line to give you some slack.

[@johnlippert4119]

@@DivingSports Awesome, thanks for the info!

[@stefpix]

@@johnlippert4119 If you get a bungee line, make sure it has a dyneema core, if they break you won't lose your gun or float. I just got the Salvimar bungee 4m that extends to 16m, added 1m of poly line at each end and a shark clip with swivel. works great, you won't feel drag as with regular lines in rough seas and currents.

[@davidcohen9113]

u have such a good chanel bro. keep it up!.

[@DivingSports]

Thanks a ton!

[@rogamingz206]

hi, can you make a video on how to rig and setup float-floatline-speargunwithreel & without reel. cause there is no video in youtube on how to setup a float-floatline-direct to shaft with no reel. thank you.

[@DivingSports]

If you're wanting to set up your floatline directly to the shaft, that would be a break-away set up for bigger game fish and blue water hunting. There are videos on youtube you can find for break-away setups. We probably won't make one on that since we don't do that style of hunting here in Canada. If you're not doing that style of hunting, I wouldn't suggest setting up your gun and float this way as it'll be more trouble than its worth, I would just clip the floatline to the handle of the speargun. That won't change if you have a reel or not.

[@johannesl5440]

I´m so nervous to get tangled. Is there any type of line with some kind of retractable spool that takes home the line's slack?

[@DivingSports]

To my knowledge, we don't use any line like that while spearfishing. You can always tie off the extra length of float line that you don't need but I don't know of any retractable spools for float lines. Float lines are generally safe as long as you're aware of where it is in relation to you. If you're worried about tangles you can always go with a bungee style float line, as they're quite a bit thicker and a lot less prone to tangling. Something thinner like a braided line or spectra is more likely to tangle up if you're not careful. Another option if your style of diving allows for it, is to anchor your float and float line using a weight, and to dive around the float. That way nothing is directly connected to you and very little chance of tangles. You'll have to check local regulations in your area though, as some places have regulations on the distance you're allowed to be away from your float while spearfishing. Safest options are either to tether your float line to an anchor and drop that, or to the handle/butt of your speargun.

[@johannesl5440]

@@DivingSports Wow, thanx for the quick and thorough response! I'm only freediving since spearfishing is illegal where I'm from. But ok, a thick floatline might be my best option. Boom, got it. Thanks!

[@DivingSports]

@@johannesl5440 If you're just freediving, you can just anchor your float line to the bottom. You shouldn't have any issues with tangling. Usually you'll want to be free of line anyways so normally you'd either be doing line diving or anchoring your float. It can be annoying to have to pull around your float while you're freediving!

[@johannesl5440]

​@@DivingSports It is actually my dive buddy I want to "anchor" to :P we sometimes have really murky water and we often lose track of each other when watching from the surface, so I think a floatline would help. I just don't want to tangle :) Thx for the tip

[@joesr31]

Was almost hit by a boat when snorkelling, I duck down below the surface and heard a loud sound when I was surfacing, the boat was about 2m away from me, kinda surprise the boat came that close to a know snorkelling location, and so here I am

[@DivingSports]

Scary! You never know who is in those boats, stay safe!

[@raddadchad]

I was wanting to see how you actually used it

[@romanmunter800]

So basically a back pack for divers

[@ll-nm8he]

I rader Los a leg then a fish to a shark .

[@DivingSports]

Agreed