REELS

Reels are a must if the diver is not using a float line and float. The diver can replace the float line with a reel, but should not do so if hunting for large fish. It is recommended that either a float line or a reel is used at all times. Reels are very useful if the fish goes in a cave after being speared and the diver must return to the surface for air before returning to retrieve it. The diver can loosen the drag on the reel and pull the spear gun all the way to the surface; keeping the spear gun from getting lost and aiding in the return to the cave by following the reel line. When using a reel in areas where boat traffic is a concern, the diver must dive close to a vessel with a dive flag clearly displayed. This may be law in some places, check with the local authorities before diving.

Reels can be mounted on almost all spear guns. There is usually a specific reel for every production spear gun in the market today. Most are made of plastic, but some manufacturers are now making reels out of aluminum, stainless, and glass filled nylon with carbon fiber. Aluminum reels are most common.  It is important to note that Aluminum reels must be washed with fresh water thoroughly after each use and serviced periodically because the stainless steel parts and the aluminum will react with each other creating corrosion even if the aluminum is anodized.

Reels range in size from 30 meters to 100 meters of line capacity. The capacity also depends on the thickness of the line in the reel. Typical line thickness ranges from 1.5mm to 2.2 mm. The thinner the line the more capacity the reel will have. There are many lines in the market today that are very resistant to abrasion and with test strength of up to 600 lbs. Examples are Dynema, Kevlar, and Dyneema.'>Spectra.

Reels can be mounted horizontally or vertically.  Reels that are mounted horizontally will cause less drag when moving the spear gun side to side through the water column.