Crossbow for underwater hunting with your own hands at home. How to make a crossbow for underwater hunting

For underwater hunting, pneumatic guns and crossbows are used. A crossbow gun works thanks to rubber rods that accelerate the arrow and it flies out at the target. It is preferable to use this device at sea due to its large size. Such a gun is capable of hitting a target at a distance of up to five meters.

Advantages:

Easy to contact;
Complete lack of recoil;
Safe charging;
Light trigger;
Low cost (compared to pneumatics).

Flaws:

Large sizes;
You cannot adjust the strength of the combat while the weapon is loaded;
If you hunt a large fish, the arrow may break;
Lower power than its pneumatic counterpart.

How to choose

Professionals buy several crossbows for different bodies of water, but for an amateur, one more or less universal gun will be enough. Weapons for underwater hunting are selected according to the following criteria:

Length. The main characteristic determines the range, power and accuracy of the shot. The sizes of guns vary from 50 centimeters to 1.5 meters or more.
Barrel rigidity. Only accuracy depends on rigidity - if the barrel is not rigid enough, then when immersed in depth it will bend, which makes it more difficult to make aimed shots. To avoid this, the barrel of the weapon is usually made thicker, but this also increases weight. If you don't want to carry the extra weight, you can buy a gun with an irregular cross-section, which saves weight and eliminates the need for a thick barrel.
Trigger mechanism. It can be regular or reverse. The latter increase the range of targeted shooting. When choosing a gun, you should pay special attention to the trigger, because a good trigger mechanism is the key to durability.
Line breaker. A cable is wound around it, which is automatically released when fired. The crossbow should be taken with a metal line release located on the side.
The head of a crossbow. Divided into five types:
Closed. Has significantly increased accuracy compared to other types.
With one pull. Increases power, but will have to sacrifice accuracy.
Mixed. It is a compromise between ring and single thrust, due to which the power of the shot increases without loss of accuracy.
Hydroformed stem. The barrel is completely closed, which creates an absolutely straight shot trajectory.
Pull thickness. The larger the fish being hunted, the thicker the draft should be. You should not skimp on it, because cheap traction can fail at the most inopportune moment.
Harpoons. They vary in length, thickness, tip, hook, number of flags and steel. Single-pronged arrows have the greatest penetration power, but can easily get stuck in crevices. Multitooths have the opposite characteristic and are used for hunting on reefs. If the harpoon has two flags, then it will fix the fish more tightly on the tip, but the hydrodynamics are reduced. The thickness depends on the size of the prey. There are only two types of hooks: regular and shark fin, the first is usually used on budget harpoons, and the second is much better, but can only be installed on crossbows with an open head.

The structure of the crossbow and its main characteristics

In design, this weapon is not much different from its land prototype. Without delving into the technical jungle, we can simply say that this is a body with rods pulled by an arrow. It is fixed using a trigger. After pressing the trigger, the trigger releases the arrow, rubber rods push it with a certain force, thus firing a shot. The crossbow body can be open or closed. Different models use regular or paired rods. The larger the object of hunting, the wider, and therefore more powerful, they should be. Expensive latex rods are recognized as more effective, which, unlike cheap rubber ones, are practically resistant to negative environmental influences and last for many years.

An important parameter is the length of the weapon; the range and accuracy of the shot directly depends on it. The dimensions of modern underwater crossbows range from 0.5-1.5 meters. The stiffer the barrel, the more accurate the hit, so some manufacturers make it thicker, which automatically increases the weight of the crossbow and the load on the hunter’s hands. Barrels made of wood have good rigidity; they perfectly hit a target from a long distance. In addition, not so long ago crossbows with irregularly shaped barrels appeared on sale, thanks to which the required rigidity is ensured with minimal weight of the product.

The weapon can be equipped with a conventional or reversible trigger mechanism. The reverse trigger increases the target range by about 10 centimeters, which is not so little under water. In general, when choosing a crossbow, you should pay special attention to the quality of the trigger, because when this mechanism fails, the weapon becomes completely unsuitable for use.

Popular models

Seac Sub Sting

An excellent crossbow model for a beginner would be the Seac Sub Sting crossbow from the Italian manufacturer Seac Sub. Its price ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 rubles.

Has the following qualities:

The length of the gun barrel is 45 – 60 cm, depending on the model;
The barrel is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, which is why it has sufficient strength and resistance to bending;
The head part is double; if necessary, an additional ring part can be used;
The line releaser, trigger and safety are made of impact-resistant plastic;
The trigger mechanism does not rust and is highly reliable;
The harpoon allows you to use any tip.

Seac Sub Sting reviews:

“An excellent gun for beginner hunters, not too long, so it’s easy to transport. Despite the price, the crossbow is reliable and easy to handle, ideal for fishing in shallow seas.” Sergey, Samara.

“The crossbow is not the worst, especially considering its price, but the trigger will not last long, so I immediately replaced it. I do not recommend installing additional traction on such a gun, because there is a high probability of self-inflicted gunfire. You can use it, but this weapon will not serve you for long.” Alexey, Sochi.

Omer Cayman

For those who are looking for higher quality models and have a sufficient budget, crossbows from the Omer Cayman series from Omer may be suitable. The price of such a gun is about 10,000 rubles.

For this price you get:

Length from 50 centimeters to a meter depending on the model;
Closed headband;
High-quality and long-lasting cords;
The trigger mechanism, line releaser, trigger and barrel are made of high quality materials that are resistant to any sea factors that damage the gun.

Reviews about Omer Cayman:

“It’s a good tool, I’ve been using it for three years, it works great, it’s never broken. The materials are high quality, it shoots accurately. The only drawback is that short models are not very convenient for hunting at sea, but the company is super.” Valentin, Nakhodka.

Demka Ami II

A cross between the Seac Sub Sting and the Omer Cayman is a shotgun from a Greek manufacturer called the Demka Ami II. It costs around 8,000 rubles.

The characteristics are as follows:

The length of the gun is from 45 cm to 1 meter;
Comfortable handle with trigger lock;
Reliable and high-quality pistol-type fuse;
Possibility of targeted shooting at a distance of up to 4 meters;
Open head.

Reviews about Demka Ami II:

“I’ve been using it for two seasons now, no problems. It’s comfortable to shoot and the accuracy is good, the trigger is comfortable, even if you use it with thick gloves. Their disadvantages include not the greatest traction power.” Evgeniy, Moscow.

“Excellent workmanship, shoots accurately, is practically weightless in the water and is very convenient to shoot, but when loaded on the second hook, the flight of the harpoon is not visible. It’s my first crossbow, I’ve been using it for quite a long time and I’m not going to change it yet.” Igor, Astrakhan.

Those hunters who liked the above-mentioned crossbows can, in the future, use more expensive analogues, such as Demka ALC, Seac sub X-fire and OmerHFCamo 3D, which are highly reliable and have good shooting characteristics, as they are made of expensive materials.

Where is a crossbow effective for spearfishing?

Experienced tricksters who have devoted dozens of years to their favorite pastime name three main conditions under which it is better to put aside an air gun and hunt with a crossbow.

Hunting at sea. The transparency of the water in most rivers and lakes leaves much to be desired. Due to poor visibility, you have to get within 1-2 meters of the fish, otherwise there is a risk of missing. At sea, visibility is much better, you can shoot accurately from 3, 4 and even 5 meters, so it is more advisable to use a crossbow.
Space for maneuver. In cramped conditions, a crossbow will create many problems; in this case, it is better to hunt with small-sized pneumatics. If in the reservoir there is no dense vegetation, driftwood, snags and other objects that interfere with the hunting process, then you should make a choice in favor of a crossbow.
Competitions . There are more and more fans of underwater hunting every year, and underwater shooting tournaments have long become a familiar event for many. They are usually carried out in clean reservoirs with fairly high water transparency. According to statistics, most often they are won by hunters who prefer crossbow weapons. Proponents of air rifles lose for two reasons: either they cannot get close to the target, or they cannot hit it from a greater distance.

DIY crossbow

To create a homemade crossbow you will need the following materials:

A wire with a thickness of 2 mm and a length depending on the size of the barrel will be used to make a spring.
Duralumin tube with a diameter of 12.5 mm, from which the barrel will be made.
Two plates about 12 mm thick, which will become halves of the handle. The material can be wood, nylon, plastic or aluminum.
Stainless steel rod having a diameter of 6 - 8 mm, which will become a harpoon.

Making a crossbow:

Spring. To make a spring, you can turn to professionals, or, if you have the necessary tools and experience, you can do it yourself. The spring diameter should not exceed 12 mm, and the pitch should not exceed 2 mm. The size of the compressed spring will be 300 mm greater than the length of the barrel, given that after some time of use the spring will shrink by about 20 percent.
Trunk. The recommended length is no more than 75 cm; this size will allow you to hunt in both fresh and sea waters. The first step is to apply threads to the ends of the duralumin tube, the second is to cut a groove for the sear. Its length should be 150 – 170 mm. It is worth making several holes in the trunk so that water can flow out easily. In addition, a plug and muzzle will need to be made from the same material as the barrel; a hole will be drilled in the plug, in which the harpoon can be conveniently transported.
Handle. It is necessary to cut out parts of the handle from the existing plates and make a 3.5 mm deep recess on each for the trigger mechanism. The two parts of the handle are attached to the barrel with screws, and a thrust ring is attached to the front so that the handle does not “ride” along the barrel.
Trigger mechanism. Includes triggers, sear, safety and spring. These parts must be made of stainless metal.
Harpoon. It must be made in such a way that a line can be attached, which, when fired, will connect the harpoon and crossbow. The tip should not be made cone-shaped, but in the form of a pyramid, in order to better penetrate the scales of the fish.
Line breaker. Cut from stainless steel. The finished line releaser is attached to the plug using screws. When the line is reeled in, it is placed under the plate and tied to the harpoon. When fired, it flies out from under the plate without any problems and unwinds.

With such a gun you can hit fish from a distance of up to three meters.

Crossbow for spearfishing

Hunting underwater involves the use of underwater weapons. Many tricksters prefer to hunt with pneumatic guns, but crossbows are no less popular - crossbows with a latex or rubber rod that hit a target from a distance of 4-5 meters.

A modern crossbow for underwater hunting is an accurate, reliable and safe weapon that will not let you down at a crucial moment.

Once upon a time, our distant ancestors shot wild animals with a bow, and today real men hunt with a more advanced version of it for sea and river “monsters” such as catfish, carp, pike, moray eel or stingray.

Blitz tips

When choosing a crossbow gun, pay special attention to the length: the shallower the body of water and the more vegetation there is, the shorter the gun should be.
Hunts best in warm seasons: spring and summer.
You always need to aim with a little anticipation, especially from a long distance.
For underwater hunting, in addition to a gun, you will need scuba gear.
You need to shoot at the front of the fish's body to make it more difficult for it to throw off the harpoon.
After each hunt, the tip needs to be sharpened.
All metal parts of the crossbow must be stainless.
Many varieties of harpoons and heads allow you to choose each gun to suit your taste; experiment and find the configuration that suits you.

Principle of operation

The design of a crossbow gun for underwater hunting is practically no different from its land “brothers”. Essentially, the device is presented in the form of a body with a groove for the arrow and tensioned rods. The latter are held in a charged position by a special harpoon, which is fixed using trigger elements. Pulling the trigger releases the rods, which give the arrow the necessary acceleration.

Which crossbow to choose - ranking of the best

In order not to be disappointed in your purchase after the first dives, you need to clearly understand the conditions under which the weapon will be used. This in no way means that you need to buy a separate crossbow for each body of water. In the store you can find a universal option suitable for any water and depth. These are the ones that are most popular. You can buy any crossbow for underwater hunting, but it is better to give preference to a long-proven weapon. We list the most popular models of recent years.

Demka Ami II is a line of crossbows of different lengths (45-100 cm), produced in Greece. Mistakes praise this weapon for its shooting accuracy, lightness, comfortable grip and reliable safety lock. Compared to some models from other manufacturers, the power is not the highest, but it is sufficient to accurately shoot from a distance of 4 meters. The price depends on the length of the crossbow.
Omer Cayman Sport is a product of the famous Omer company, which has long been a trendsetter in the world of diving and spearfishing. Cayman Sport weapons are available in several versions, ranging in length from 0.5 to 1 meter. The prices are quite high, but quite fair, because every detail of the crossbow from Omer is made of high-quality material. Such weapons serve for many years and never fail.
Seac Sub Sting is an excellent offer for a beginner hunter who has not yet gained experience. These are Italian crossbows with a length of 40 to 65 cm, which are produced using modern technologies. In particular, the barrel is made of lightweight and yet very durable aluminum alloy. The weapon is inexpensive, but reliable and easy to use.

Any of the crossbows described will become a reliable assistant under water. When you pick one up, you gain self-confidence and a desire to quickly meet a river or sea monster “face to face.”

Materials and tools

Making a crossbow at home begins with analyzing the available materials. You can make most of the parts yourself, but it is recommended to buy or order the critical components from a specialist - the shoulder block and the trigger mechanism.

Manufacturing stages.

A stock is cut out according to the template, and the necessary modules are formed on it - a place to insert the trigger mechanism, a groove for the arrow.
Making a shoulder module or spring mechanism. It is important to correctly calculate the load. Installation on a finished bed.
Attaching the trigger mechanism, checking the correct engagement of the bowstring.

In the photo the design may look simple. But producing it yourself will require a lot of time and effort. This is especially true for block structures.

Additionally, you can make arrows for a crossbow. As a base, you can use hard wood, duralumin or textolite tubes. To install a replacement tip, you will need to make a thread on the end of the arrow. The length depends on the characteristics of the crossbow. It is recommended to use natural plumage.

Homemade crossbow for spearfishing made of teak wood.

To make a homemade crossbow for spearfishing, you need to use the best material. Therefore, as a rule, it is done for oneself. In order to take into account the shortcomings of branded crossbows, that is, in order to eliminate them. Therefore, if you need an underwater gun specifically for long-distance hunting, then the best solution is a wooden crossbow, which has a length of at least 90 cm. It is also important to understand that when making a crossbow you can spend no less money than when buying it. The only advantage is the ability to customize it to your requirements and needs. This way you can adjust, for example, the length of the handle, etc. A homemade crossbow for underwater hunting can be made of wood, but of a certain type.

In order to set up a crossbow for underwater fishing or spearfishing, the following components are required; teak wood or red – board width 200 mm, thickness 25 mm; trigger mechanism, or how it is defined, trigger mechanism; the varnish used to coat the finished product, with the exception of teak, which does not need to be coated. For teak it is better to use tung oil, saturating this part; waterproof glue for gluing workpiece elements. The glue must be of a higher category; harpoon; coil; ring rod with a diameter of 16 mm, if the crossbow has at least 110 cm, then two. Rope hooks for pulls, made of dyneema. The length of the elastic bands must be calculated based on the Rob-Allen table. For a meter barrel:

– 65 cm of thrust 20 mm;

– 60 cm of thrust 18 mm;

– 55 cm of thrust 16mm.

If the length of the barrel increases by 10 cm, the length of the rubber is increased by 5 cm. You also need to have the required number of tools on hand, including those for woodworking purposes. Metal parts of equipment. You can make them yourself from titanium. Some technical aspects of production or how a homemade crossbow for underwater hunting is made.

Teak board cutting:

Leveling and planing on a jointer:

Assembling the package according to the marks:

It is necessary to glue the elements together, squeezing them with clamps and placing a board underneath. Then the crimping is uniform without areas of significant stress. For everything, screw clamps are used, not lever ones:

Milling a guide groove for a crossbow harpoon:

It is also necessary to mill the trigger mechanism. Accordingly, the holes for the rods are ring-shaped, the pear chamber. Then you need to cut the crossbow handle of a convenient size and shape, then fasten it firmly to the barrel. You use a tenon connection, but you can use the removable handle option:

The gun must be given the symmetrical desired shapes using a plane, chisel and cutter:

Then you need to make parts from metal for the speargun posture. So a bracket for the trigger mechanism located above the hook, a clamp for the reel, for fastening, a plate, a lanyard and line tension, a cargo chamber cover. A rod for attaching a photo or video camera to a homemade crossbow for underwater hunting.

As a rule, underwater hunting is accompanied by various aspects that cannot be ignored, so many are interested in sites about underwater hunting, and for many, the desire to hunt sharks is not alien and they are looking for, for example, underwater shark hunting for the most daring, but what is the goal I haven’t always been an underwater hunter, it’s nice to hunt with a homemade speargun.