Elastic hand spear

The elastic-powered hand spear, or pole spear, is the first tool of spearfishing, the one you learn with, on rockfish close to the shore. It is an 84 cm metal shaft ending in a three-pronged tip, propelled by a simple elastic loop held in the hand.

The three-pronged tip is welded on, so it can't be lost. The elastic is fitted as a loop at the rear of the shaft. No trigger: the power comes from your arm.

Slip the loop around your hand, stretch the shaft by sliding it between your fingers, and let go when you want to fire. After each outing, rinse it in fresh water and dry it, otherwise the salt attacks the shaft and the prongs.

Spearfishing is regulated, by age, area and species: check the rules before getting in the water.