Updated October 17, 2021
Pole spearfishing approaches the sport at its most basic level practiced since the earliest days of hunter-gatherers. Although the sophistication of the gear has come a long way, it is easier to use than ever, versatile, and affordable.
To put you up to date with the equipment of today and usage, top models with varying features are reviewed with a simple comparison table to start, followed by descriptions, photos, videos, and finishing up with a buying guide.
Bearing in mind that this website has a major focus on ecology, I’d like to make sure to remind you that many locations full of fish that appear to be very targetable are nature preserves. Please make sure to carefully select spearfishing locations so as to avoid breaking any laws or local customs.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I love to know your thoughts.
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Best Spearfishing Pole Spears List
- MAKO Traveler Pole Spear
- Scuba Choice 5′ Travel 2-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear
- Scuba Choice 4.5′ One-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear
- JBL Breakdown Travel Pole Spear
- JBL Shaka Carbon Fiber 7′ Travel Polespear
- Evolve Carbon Fiber Travel Pole Spear
- Lionfish Travel Spear Pole with 6-Point Tip
- Headhunter Predator Carbon Fiber Pole Spear
Best Pole Spears Comparison Table
| Picture | Pole Spear | Shaft | Length | Pieces | Tip | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | MAKO Traveler Pole Spear | Aluminum | 6'7" | 3-Piece | 5 Prong | 4.5 | $ |
  | Scuba Choice 5' Travel 2-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear | Fiberglass | 5' | 2-Piece | 3 Prong | 4.4 | $ |
  | Scuba Choice 4.5' One-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear | Fiberglass | 4.5' | 1-Piece | Lionfish Barb | 4.2 | $ |
  | JBL Breakdown Travel Pole Spear | Aluminum | 6' | 3-Piece | Barbed Paralyzer & a Wing Rock Point | 4.8 | $$ |
  | JBL Shaka Carbon Fiber 7' Travel Polespear | Carbon Fiber & Aluminum | 7' | 3-Piece | Rockpoint | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | Evolve Carbon Fiber Travel Pole Spear | Carbon Fiber | 9' | 3-Piece | Not Included | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Lionfish Travel Spear Pole with 6-Point Tip | Fiberglass | 20", 28", 36" | 1-Piece | 6 Prong | 4.2 | $ |
  | Headhunter Predator Carbon Fiber Pole Spear | Carbon Fiber | 9' | 2-Piece | Barbed Slip Tip | 4.9 | $$$ |
| Picture | Pole Spear | Shaft | Length | Pieces | Tip | Rating | Price |
The MAKO Traveler Pole Spear has a durable and splinter-free high-quality 6-foot 7-inch aluminum shaft that breaks down into a 3-piece 27.5-inch package for easy transport and storage.
The 3 sections are interchangeable for 3-piece or 2-piece lengths that are both effective using the Mako latex power band.
A smooth release is further facilitated by connecting joints that use recessed flush screws.
It comes with a 5-prong paralyzer tip with sure-grip barbs with other MAKO tips optional.
If you want to use non-MAKO tips be sure to employ the MAKO converter.
This is a popular, versatile pole spear for fresh or saltwater use that comes at a reasonable price.
- Length: 6 feet 7 inches
- Shaft Material: corrosion-resistant anodized aircraft aluminum
- Pieces: 3, breaks down to a 27.5-inch total length
- Tip: 5-prong cluster, other options are available including a 3-prong barbless lionfish tip, for all other tips a 3-in-1 pole spear converter must be used
- Weight: 1 pound (shipping weight)
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $
Scuba Choice 5′ Travel 2-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear
It breaks down into a 24-inch length that packs into an easily portable carry bag and has a black rubber sling.
Suitable for all levels from beginner to expert, pricing is quite reasonable.
One note of caution, some users have indicated that on arrival there may be fiberglass slivers left from the production process on the shaft that should be thoroughly wiped off before usage with bare hands.
- Length: 5 feet
- Shaft Material: fiberglass
- Pieces: 2, breaks down to a 24-inch total length (2 x 24-inch poles + a 12-inch tip)
- Tip: 3-prong Paralyzer tip with barbs
- Weight: 1 pound (shipping weight)
- Includes a black rubber sling and bag
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $
Scuba Choice 4.5′ One-Piece Fiberglass Pole Spear
Tip replacements are possible with a separate purchase.
This is a great model especially easy to manage for beginners at pole spearfishing
- Length: 4 feet 6 inches
- Shaft Material: fiberglass
- Pieces: 1, 4-foot shaft and a 6-inch tip
- Tip: removable 3-prong lionfish barb tip (replacement tips available)
- Weight: 12 ounces (shipping weight)
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
JBL Breakdown Travel Pole Spear
The high-quality black surgical rubber sling is adjustable for power variation and replaceable.
The package also comes with two stainless steel tips, a Barbed Paralyzer, and a Wing Rock Point.
Popular with users and reviewers alike, the pricing is in the high middle range.
- Length: 6 feet
- Shaft Material: tempered aluminum with anodized hard gold
- Pieces: 3, breaks into 3 x 24” pieces
- Tips: 2 – a Barbed Paralyzer #846 and a Wing Rock Point #825, both stainless steel
- Weight: 1.8 pounds (shipping weight)
- Comes with an adjustable black rubber surgical sling
- Includes a travel case
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
View More From JBL Spearfishing
JBL Shaka Carbon Fiber 7′ Travel Polespear
This high-performance non-flex shaft is combined with a strong Nitro latex band to deliver the maximum transfer of energy.
The Shaka is a 3-piece model that packs away in a 36-inch carry bag and comes with a break-away rockpoint tip for big game.
It is also pricy but a top pole spear when you want to step up your game.
- Length: 7 feet
- Shaft Material: carbon fiber mid and rear sections, aircraft-grade aluminum front section
- Pieces: 3
- Tips: break-away rockpoint for larger game
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (shipping weight)
- Unidirectional design
- Comes with a UV-resistant high-modulus Nitro latex band
- Includes a travel case
- Also available in a 6-foot model
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Evolve Carbon Fiber Travel Pole Spear
It is made from aircraft-strength solid-core T700 carbon and 7075-T6 aluminum aircraft fittings for durable stiff performance.
If there is more than one of you, you can get creative and use the sections for 2 to 3 divers with the appropriate addition of tips and bands.
This is a premium pole spear with a high price to match, and you will have to add your own tip, as well.
- Length: 9 feet
- Shaft Material: aircraft strength T700 carbon with a solid core
- Pieces: 3, transforms into 5 different lengths or 2-3 spears with the addition of tips and bands
- Tips: not included, to be purchased separately (check with the seller for the best match)
- Weight: 1pound (shipping weight)
- High-tolerance 7075-T6 aluminum aircraft fittings
- Also available in a 6, 7, and 8-foot models
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Lionfish Travel Spear Pole with 6-Point Tip
This durable fiberglass pole spear is small enough to bring along and make a dent in the scourge while at the same time providing some good eating.
When grilled or fried, or in tacos, ceviche, or sushi, the flavor is hard to match.
The spear has an efficient 6-prong tip of corrosion-resistant stainless steel with a 6-inch latex band for power.
With minimal practice, you’ll be a master.
- Length: available in 20″, 28″, or 36″ shaft, 6-inch tip
- Shaft Material: fiberglass
- Piece: 1
- Tip: 6-inch, 6-prong, corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Weight: varies by length
- 6-inch latex rubber sling
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
Headhunter Predator Carbon Fiber Pole Spear
It has a stiff carbon fiber front section with a back half of composite materials that is more resilient and durable than aluminum and lighter in weight.
The showstopper slip tip is a great design for large game, and the stainless steel tip and fixtures are corrosion-resistant.
It’s expensive but experienced hunters will enjoy the features.
- Length: 9 feet
- Shaft Material: front section of carbon fiber, back section of durable light composite
- Pieces: 2, 51-inch front section, 60-inch rear section
- Tips: barbed cable showstopper slip tip (includes injector rod and slip tip)
- Weight: 1 pound 11 ounces
- 316 stainless steel hardware
- Rubber band, retaining band kit
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Best Pole Spear Buying Guide
Length
Pole spear length affects maneuverability and range. Longer poles are more difficult to make cuts and turns with as you move through the water. On the other hand longer models have more range and work better in open water conditions. If you are hunting for smaller fish amongst rocks or in crevices, a shorter one is probably more suitable. The most common lengths are from 5 to 7 feet, which is a good length for a beginner.
Materials
Three primary materials are used in the construction of pole spear shafts today, aluminum, carbon fiber, and fiberglass.
- Fiberglass is the cheapest and is fairly durable though it can tend to splinter which can be painful if you run your hand over the damaged area. Also, fiberglass shafts tend to be more flexible though, that can be tempered with a 2 or 3-piece shaft.
- Aluminum shafts are usually the heaviest which adds to stopping power useful especially when targets are large fish. They will require stronger bands to propel them, however. Most are anodized which provides corrosion resistance in saltwater and they are generally durable when bounced off rocks and reefs. If the seals break down they can flood making them even heavier.
- Carbon fiber is the most lightweight of the three and is an exceptionally strong material. It is stiff with a minimum of flex and is fast. Unfortunately, it is not as durable and can incur damage when smashing into rocks. Some manufacturers combat this by creating hybrid models with some areas of carbon fiber and other areas of aluminum or composite materials.
Tips
Of the numerous types of tips in use, prong tips, flopper tips, and slip tips are three varieties commonly used.
- Prong tips include paralyzers that have a set of 3 or more prongs with barbs set in a circular pattern tapered outward slightly. These cover a broad area and give you a better chance of hitting a fish though wriggling off is a strong possibility if you don’t quickly secure the fish. With the broader cross-section at the tip, it tends to add drag and slow down the spear. This type is best for closer targets and smaller fish.
- Flopper tips can be either single or double. When the spear penetrates the fish a piece of metal or two pieces with a double will open up and prevent the spear from exiting the wound thus securing the fish. This type is more streamlined when passing through the water and moves more quickly than prong-type tips. Flopper tips are good for open water and larger targets.
- Slip tips detach from the spear after passing into the fish and are held in place by a cord or cable. This version is good for keeping fish with softer flesh that might tend to tear away by providing a little give. This is usually considered for use when targeting large fish in open water.
Balance
For the spear to travel through the water with accuracy it must have the correct center of balance. This should be with the weight in the forward third of the spear to keep it from yawing, much like an arrow when shot from a bow. With the weight forward the rest of the arrow or spear follows behind the tip toward the target. If the weight is toward the back it will tend to veer away. Physics of a Pole Spear
Rubber Bands
Rubber bands are used to power the spear when you fire it, much like a sling. Usually fixed at the back end of the pole but sometimes further down the shaft toward the tip with the use of a cam, it is stretched and released for a transfer of energy from the band to your spear. A thicker rubber band can deliver more power but you want to take care not to use one that is so powerful that it flexes the pole excessively and negatively influences the shot. You can moderate the amount of energy transferred by varying how much the band is stretched. When targeting larger fish in open water more power is desirable. If you are shooting past targets into rocks or a reef you won’t want so much power that the tip is damaged.
For more reviews of related gear and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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