Pole Spear Comparison Table

Benefits of Choosing the Right Pole Spear

All types of anglers need to have the best equipment to suit their needs. When choosing a new pole spear, you should determine the kind of environment in which you will be fishing. Are you a saltwater or freshwater fishermen? Do you plan to travel with your pole spear?

Answering these questions will help you decide what type of spearfishing pole you need from our buyer’s guide. If you’re a saltwater angler, then you should buy a pole that is resistant to salt corrosion. Some poles are also designed to catch larger saltwater fish. If you plan to travel with your pole, then you need a collapsible spear.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing a Quality Pole Spear

Usage

Where and how do you plan to use your new pole spear? If you are planning to travel with your spear, then we recommend a collapsible spear. You should consider the type of fish that you intend to hunt. Smaller fish move at a quicker pace, so you need a lighter spear.

Larger fish move slowly but require a heavier spear to penetrate their tough skin. The water depth will play a role in the length of your spear. Shallow waters require a short and maneuverable pole, while deepwater requires a longer one.

Durability/Material Quality

Most pole spears on the market today are composed of carbon fiber, aluminum, or fiberglass. All of the materials are different weights, so they will affect the power of your throw. Carbon fiber spears are the fastest underwater.

They are designed to catch small quick fish. A heavier material, like aluminum, will be slower in the water but have greater stopping power. Fiberglass and hybrid materials fall somewhere in the middle of speed and stopping power. All of these pole spears are designed to be durable as long as you maintain them properly.

Quality/Design

Pole spears come in 1, 2, and 3-piece designs. Most poles that are made for transporting are either 2 or 3-pieces so that you can take them apart and store them easily. One-piece poles are sometimes said to be more sturdy, but with modern pole spears, that’s rarely the case. The grip should be comfortable and easy to hold while swimming.

Pole Spear Balance

This term refers to the center of gravity of a pole spear. Pole spears are normally balanced with more weight towards the front of the shaft so that it can glide through the water with the rear following smoothly. The front will glide the flight path. This makes pole spears more aquadynamic.

Length and Weight

The length of your pole spear will depend on the type of fish that you plan to hunt. A midrange size will be about seven feet long. It’ll give you a range of hunting scenarios to work with. If you plan to hunt in deep blue water, then a longer pole spear would be better. A spear of around 8 to 9 feet will give you more power to take down large ocean fish. The weight will be determined by the type of material. Carbon fiber is the lightest option.

Pole Spear Tips

There are many different types of spearfishing tips available. A common one is called a paralyzer tip. It has 3-prongs and is designed to catch small fish that won’t dislodge the barb once it's set. A flopper tip consists of a barb that opens after it pierces the fish. It will also hold the fish on the spear. Slip tips are designed to break off the spear after you pierce the fish. The tip stays attached to your spear with a cable. It helps you reel in a fish quickly.

Ease of Use

Learning how to spearfish can be a challenging endeavor. You need your pole spear to be easy to use for a beginner. Pole spears that have built-in comfort grips and are easier on the hands when underwater. The rubber band on our spear is used as a spring to store energy to power the spear when you shoot. You should get a pole spear that has easy to hold rubber bands.

Price and Warranty

The products that we have reviewed below all come in different price ranges. Set a budget and stick to it, but remember to keep in mind that some products may have more value than others. That means they might be worth the extra money. All of the products below include a warranty, so make sure you activate it.

1. JBL Shaka

Sometimes it’s nice to just have the best of the best product on the market, especially when it comes to catching your dinner. The JBL Shaka is our top pick for pole spears. It is a fan favorite on the market with its lightweight yet powerful design.

The JBL Shaka is composed of aluminum with unidirectional carbon fiber weaving to give it strength. The aircraft-grade aluminum makes this pole super lightweight. The carbon fiber gives it an added strength element without increasing the weight. With these combined materials, this pole spear is perfect for use in rocks and reefs. It features a breakaway rock point tip for hunting larger fish. You'll be able to reel your catch in right after shooting it.

2. Scuba Choice 5’

One of the many joys of spearfishing is jumping from reef to reef to find your next catch. You need the best portable pole spear, which is the Scuba Choice model. They’ve designed this pole to be short and lightweight. It also breaks into two pieces so that you can easily carry it in a sling.

This Scuba Choice model is just five feet long, so it’s perfect for catching small fish. If you’re looking to hunt bigger game, then you may need a longer pole spear. It is made of a fiberglass composite with a stainless steel paralyzer tip. The paralyzer tip is 3-pronged, which is perfect for spearing small fish. It provides a lot of stopping power, but it’s still light and aquadynamic. It comes with a carrying bag so that you can sling it over your shoulder.

3. Mako Spearfishing Traveler

Sometimes spending more money can be worth it when it comes to your fishing gear. In this case, the Mako Spearfishing Traveler is the best value for money option on the market. It is portable, lightweight, and super quick in the water.

Mako created this pole spear to be a 3 in 1 all-around package, which makes it a great value. The full length of the spear with all three pieces is 6 feet and 7 inches. This is a great length for spearing medium to large fish. You can also remove one of the pole sections to create a smaller pole that is ideal for small fish and reefs. It comes with a 5-prong paralyzer tip with barbs for a “sure grip” every time. The 5-prong tip is perfect for medium to large fish, but not for small fish. The 5-prong tip may damage the meat.

4. JBL Breakdown

When you’re on the hunt for your next catch, you need to go to where the fish are. The more fish, the more you’ll catch. You need a pole spear that can break down easily on the boat. This JBL model is the best break down pole spear on the market.

JBL has come out with another fantastic pole spear that is sure to please all of us spearos. It is composed of aluminum, which is a bit heavier than carbon fiber. It will have the stopping power to take out big fish but will be a bit slower in the water.

Aluminum is durable, so it will be able to withstand misfires into the reef. It is a combined length of 6 feet. It's maneuverable but long enough to maintain a flight path underwater. It comes with a single barbed paralyzer tip, so that’s less surface area than its 3-pronged counterparts. JBL pole spears rarely disappoint me, and this one was no different. I thought it broke down nicely into a manageable size. I could easily take it apart, even with my gloves still on.

5. Scuba Choice 4.5’

Whether you’re new to spearfishing or an old veteran, you’ve probably had experiences with hunting for lionfish. It’s one of the most popular fish to tag and bag all over the world. One pole spear that can keep up is the Scuba Choice 4.5’. It is the best lionfish spear on the market.

Here we have another Scuba Choice spear that takes the lead in this category. This model is made of a fiberglass material that is the cheapest option on the market. It is heavier than carbon fiber and offers more flex, which can be useful in tight quarters.

Some anglers claim that fiberglass doesn't hold up well against reefs, but depending on where you're hunting, it might be fine. This pole spear is the perfect length for catching lionfish since they tend to lay low near the ocean floor. You need a quick action spear to tag them.

One feature that I liked about this spear was the 3-prong lionfish barb. I never had to worry about the barb coming loose once I tagged a fish. I thought the length was perfect for spearing lionfish. Once released from my grip, the pole was lightning fast.

6. Scuba Choice 6’

Here we have another product from Scuba Choice. This product is similar to the previous model that we reviewed, but it is longer. We chose this one as the best 6 ft pole spear available. The length is a perfect midrange pole for spearing both big and small game.

Scuba Choice has released multiple similar poles in different lengths, and they all perform well. This model is made of the same fiberglass as the previous product mentioned above. Fiberglass is the most affordable on the market, but it may not withstand heavy abuse, so keep that in mind. If you're new to spearfishing, you're bound to hit the reef a few times. It features a 3-prong paralyzer tip with barbs. The length is perfect for hunting all types of fish, including lionfish and wahoo.

I enjoyed using this pole spear for similar reasons that I enjoyed using the previous Scuba Choice model. I liked that this one was a bit longer so that I could have the stopping power for larger fish. The included rubber sling performed well, and it didn’t bend the pole too much. I would recommend this pole spear for people who are looking to hunt fish in open water.

7. Headhunter Predator

If you’re an avid pole spear angler or a beginner looking for the best of the best, then this is the pole spear for you. We chose the Headhunter Predator as the top of the range pole spear. It packs loads of features into a beautifully designed spear that will surely impress spearos.

The Headhunter Predator comes with a slip tip, which is different than the other products that we have reviewed. Once you spear a fish, the slip tip will remain in the fish with a cable attached to your spear. It ensures that the fish doesn’t dislodge the barb.

The cable can be drawn into you like a reel. It is made of a composite carbon fiber material that is light and fast underwater. The 2-piece design allows for some flex when you are pulling back the sling. I loved testing out this spear on a recent freediving trip. I was mainly hunting grouper and kingfish. I was pleasantly surprised at the stopping power of the slip tip. It also has great length, which increases your chances with big fish.

Pole Spears vs. Spear Guns

How to Use a Pole Spear - Spearing Tips

Tip #1:

You should never go spearfishing alone. Make sure you always have a dive buddy that knows where you are.

Tip #2:

Practice pole spear safety. Never point your spear at anything that isn’t your intended target. Never hold your pole spear in the ready position on the boat.

Tip #3:

Be aware of ocean predators such as sharks. Sometimes sharks will go after your catch before you get a chance to bring it in, so be on the lookout.

Spear Cleaning and Maintenance

All of the spears that we have reviewed above are durable and long-lasting. To ensure that they stay that way, you should take care of it after every diving trip. The first part of a pole spear to give out is usually the rubber band. These are easy to replace, but to ensure it lasts as long as possible, clean it with fresh water after every use. Make sure it is completely dry.

You should also clean the spear and tip after every use. Once everything is cleaned and dry, store it in a cool place away from the sun. If your pole spear if a multi-piece one, then take it apart and store it in the carrying bag.

Other Essential Spearfishing Gear

While a pole spear is an essential part of your spearfishing gear, other items will definitely come in handy while free diving. Check out the list below for details.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What size pole spear should I get?

This will largely depend on where and what you plan to fish. If you are planning to fish for large game, such as tuna or grouper, then you'll need a long pole spear. They offer greater stopping power, and you won't need to be as close to your target. If you plan to hunt for small fish, such as lionfish, then a small spear will be ideal. Small spears are also ideal for reef fishing.

How do I decide between a 2-pronged, 3-pronged, and 4-pronged pole spear?

Larger fish will require more prongs than smaller fish. For example, a small lionfish can be stoned with a 2 or 3-prong tip; any more would damage the meat. Large fish should be speared with 4-prongs or a slip tip. This will ensure that they go down and stay down.

Is it possible to make a spearfishing pole on my own?

What’s the function of a pole spear paralyzer tip?

These types of tips are used to “stun” small fish. It can be found on lionfish pole spear with paralyzer tip. The general idea is that the larger surface area of the prongs will only penetrate the fish a little bit, so there's no damage. It will paralyze the fish so that you can move in and bag it.

What are the best pole spear brands?

From our reviews above, the best brands include JBL, Mako, and Headhunter. Some other top-notch brands are Scuba Choice and Riffe.

Can you use a pole spear in the Bahamas?

Where is the best place to buy these pole spears, pole spear parts, and replacement pole spearheads?

We recommend shopping for all of your pole spearfishing needs on Amazon.

Conclusion

In this article, we have reviewed seven of the most high-quality pole spears on the market. We’ve given you an inside look at how well these products performed under strict conditions. There are also many tips and guidelines to help you get started in spearfishing.

You may be wondering what our absolute favorite pole spear is. In this roundup, we’d have to recommend the JBL Shaka. It features a lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum design with a breakaway tip that is sure to bring home your biggest catch yet.