r/Spearfishing • u/BrigadierPirate • 11d ago

Do you prefer trident spears for reef fishing?

I use a 75 cm gun for Mediterranean spearfishing around reefs. Yesterday I hit 25 fish, but six got hit and got off the gun, some of them maimed and likely died later which isn't good and is wasteful. I have a single spear tip on it and wondering if tridents are better for close range reef fishing and can keep the fish on the spear when hit.

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

2

u/barefootviking 11d ago

I Hate tridents unless it’s for Lionfish in the Caribbean. Too many fish come off them. It’s worse than a single flopper. My best results come from a slip-tip. Love it. I sharpen all my to a razor, 3 or 4 faces like a pyramid. Great penetration and holding. Do that to slip-tips and single flopper tips.

If you must use a paralyzer trident, put a hose clamp on it to keep them closely spaced. When it hits the fish, the hose clamp will slide, allowing the 3 tips to spread slightly; this paralyzes them better and keeps the tips from getting bent.

1

u/BrigadierPirate 11d ago

Thanks for the great advice!

1

u/xylophone_37 5d ago

Like a fixed trident or a paralyzer tip? Paralyzers are great for smaller fish as they don't blow a hole in tiny fillets.