The Complete Handbook of Fishing Spears

Finally, a reference that treats fishing spears as serious equipment and not a hobbyist afterthought. The chapter on shaft material properties alone is worth the price. I've been in the dive retail business for twelve years, and this is the first book I can hand to a new staff member to get them up to speed on the technical specs. It's a permanent fixture on my desk now.

Good, solid reference material. I found the maintenance section really practical, especially the part about diagnosing band deterioration. I docked one star because I wish the chapter on types had included a few more photo diagrams, but as a written resource, it's very dense with useful information. It's a book you'll go back to, not a one-time read.

The content is accurate and thorough, but it felt a bit dry to me. I'm a spearfisherman and I was hoping for a bit more on technique. It's very focused on the equipment and the business side, which is fine, but not exactly what I was expecting. If you're a shop owner or a gear nerd, you'll love it. For a casual enthusiast, it might be a bit much. Well written for what it is, though.

It's a competent guide, and it's obvious the authors know what they're talking about. The selection framework is helpful. However, I found the comps in the preface to be a bit dismissive of online forums, which are still a great source of real-world info. The book is a good baseline, but it doesn't replace the community knowledge. Still, it's a solid purchase to have on hand. Three stars for a slightly narrow focus.

This is the handbook I wish existed when I first started outfitting my charter boat. The maintenance chapter alone has saved me money and headaches. The comparison of different tip configurations in the second chapter is brilliant, and it directly helped me choose a breakaway tip for the reef fishing we do. It's not a narrative, it's a manual, and that's exactly what I needed. Highly recommended for any professionals.

It's a well-organized reference, no doubt. But I felt the 'Business Opportunities' chapter was a little generic, and it didn't provide the supplier contacts I was hoping for. The technical chapters are strong, which is why I give it three stars, but the business section could have gone deeper. I'll wait for a second edition before I recommend it to my colleagues in the trade, but I'll keep my copy.

I'm a hobbyist who started spearfishing a year ago, and this book is perfect for getting your head around the hardware. I appreciated the neutral tone; I didn't feel like I was being sold a particular brand. The sections on choosing your first pole spear were clear and specific. Minor gripe: the packaging was a little basic for a hardcover, but the content is what matters. A great resource to have in your library.