Spearfishing Gear Maintenance Tips: 9 Essential Hacks for Divers

Let’s face it – nothing kills the thrill of spearfishing faster than gear failure 80 feet underwater. I learned this lesson the hard way when my neglected speargun trigger locked up mid-hunt, costing me the biggest grouper I’ve ever seen. That’s when I got serious about spearfishing gear maintenance tips – and why I’m sharing everything I’ve learned over 15+ years in the water.

Saltwater is brutally unforgiving to equipment. One day of forgotten spearfishing gear maintenance can destroy gear worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But here’s the good news: with some simple habits and insider knowledge, your kit can last literally years longer than most.

Why Maintenance Makes or Breaks Your Dive

Ever wondered why some spearos replace their gear every season while others hunt with the same trusty setup for a decade? It’s not magic – it’s methodical underwater hunting equipment care. And it’s not just about saving money (though that’s a major bonus).

Properly maintained gear performs better underwater. Period. That speargun will track truer, those bands will provide more power, and your mask won’t fog at the critical moment. Plus, there’s the safety factor – equipment failures underwater can range from annoying to downright dangerous.

According to the Divers Alert Network, equipment malfunctions contribute to a significant percentage of diving incidents each year. Most of these could be prevented with proper, consistent maintenance. That’s a statistic I’d rather not be part of!

The Ultimate Rinsing Protocol – Beyond the Basics

Let’s start with the foundation of all good spearfishing gear maintenance – the post-dive rinse. But I’m not talking about a quick spray with a garden hose. That half-hearted approach leaves microscopic salt crystals behind that will slowly destroy your gear from the inside out.

Here’s my three-stage rinsing protocol that’s protected thousands of dollars of gear through hundreds of dives:

1. Field rinse (immediate) – I keep a 5-gallon jug of fresh water in my truck. Before even leaving the beach, critical components like speargun mechanisms, mask skirts, and regulator mouthpieces get a quick dunk. This prevents salt crystals from hardening while driving home.
2. Component soak (1-2 hours later) – Everything gets separated and soaked in containers of fresh water. Metal components like spearguns and knives get warm water (dissolves salt better), while rubber and plastic get cool water (preserves elasticity). I manually work all moving parts underwater to flush out hidden salt.
3. Final rinse and inspection – After soaking, everything gets a final targeted rinse with fresh running water, focusing on joints, crevices, and moving parts. This is when I catch early signs of wear or damage too!

The experts at PADI’s Equipment Specialist program emphasize that proper rinsing removes not just salt but also sand, organic matter, and pollutants that can accelerate the corrosion and degradation of materials.

Remember: if you think you’re rinsing thoroughly enough, you probably aren’t. When I started doubling my rinse time, my gear’s lifespan literally doubled too. Coincidence? I think not!

Speargun & Shaft Maintenance Mastery

Your speargun is the heart of your underwater arsenal, and keeping it in prime condition requires specialized spearfishing weapon maintenance. Whether you’re rocking a budget beginner gun (check out my guide on best spearfishing gear for beginners) or a high-end custom piece, these tips will keep it firing true.

Weekly Speargun Checklist:

• Track straightness – Roll your shaft on a flat surface. Even minor curves will affect accuracy and even result in dangerous misfires. Replace or have a pro straighten bent shafts immediately.
• Band inspection – Look for tiny cracks, discoloration, or uneven stretching. Bands under tension are no place to be cheap – I replace mine at the first sign of wear, which usually means every 8-12 months of regular use.
• Trigger mechanism bath – Remove the trigger mechanism monthly (take photos first if you’re nervous about reassembly!) and soak in fresh water with a drop of marine-grade lubricant. Work the trigger underwater to flush out hidden salt.
• Proper lubrication – Use ONLY silicone-based marine lubricants on metal parts, and apply sparingly. Too much brings in grit and sand and causes more problems than it fixes. A tiny dab does the job!

For wooden spearguns, I’ve learned some specialized care techniques from an old-timer in Bali who showed me his 25-year-old teak gun that still looks and performs like new:

1. Wood-specific maintenance – Apply tung oil or marine teak oil twice yearly to prevent water intrusion. Let it penetrate for 24 hours, then wipe off excess.
2. Avoid prolonged soaking – Unlike aluminum or carbon guns, wooden spearguns should be rinsed thoroughly but not soaked for hours. Pat dry with a towel after rinsing.
3. Check for hidden cracks – Inspect the full length of the barrel, especially around band notches and the trigger mechanism mount, where stress concentrates. Small cracks can be sealed with marine epoxy before they become major issues. 🔍

For technical maintenance guidance specific to your model, the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) offers excellent resources that cover maintenance protocols for various equipment types.

Next-Level Wetsuit Care – Extend Neoprene Life

Your wetsuit is your underwater armor – and replacing it frequently gets expensive FAST. With proper spearfishing gear maintenance, a quality suit can easily last 5+ years even with regular use. Here’s my system that’s saved me thousands on replacement suits:

Post-Dive Wetsuit Protocol:

1. Inside-out rinse first – The inside of your suit collects body oils, bacteria, and dead skin cells that can degrade neoprene from within. Always start your rinse with the suit inside out!
2. Dedicated wetsuit cleaner – Regular soap can damage neoprene. I use a specialized cleaner monthly that maintains the material’s flexibility and prevents that distinctive “wetsuit funk” that can make you unpopular on boats.
3. Proper drying technique – Hang dry on a wide wetsuit hanger (never fold or crease a wet suit). Keep out of direct sunlight, which breaks down neoprene faster than almost anything else.
4. Inspect seams and seals – Check glued and stitched areas regularly for separation. Small issues can be repaired with neoprene cement, but only when completely dry.

Looking to choose between budget and premium wetsuits? Check out my detailed budget vs. high-end spearfishing gear comparison where I compare maintenance between price ranges.

According to research published in the Oceanographic Magazine, wetsuits can lose up to 30% of their insulating properties when improperly maintained due to microscopic changes in the neoprene cell structure. That’s the difference between a comfortable 60-minute dive and shivering after 40!

Fins & Mask: The Forgotten Essentials

It’s easy to obsess over spearguns and overlook the gear that actually keeps you alive and moving underwater. Proper spearfishing gear maintenance for fins and masks is just as critical as caring for your primary hunting tools.

Mask Maintenance Mastery:

• Silicone skirt care – Rinse thoroughly with fresh water, paying special attention to the feathered edges where the skirt meets your face. These thin sections are most vulnerable to salt damage and tearing.
• Lens protection – Clean with non-abrasive, mask-specific cleaner only. Household glass cleaners containing ammonia can damage anti-fog coatings. For stubborn residue, use a soft toothbrush with gentle circular motions.
• Strap maintenance – Rubber and silicone straps deteriorate from sun exposure and salt. Rinse thoroughly and store away from direct light. Replace with a neoprene strap cover for comfort and durability.
• Proper storage – Store your mask lens-up in a protective case. This prevents the skirt from deforming and protects the lens from scratches. Never store with the skirt folded or compressed.

Fin Care for Maximum Performance:

• Blade integrity – Inspect for hairline cracks, especially in carbon fiber fins. What starts as a barely visible line can catastrophically fail under pressure. Use a magnifying glass for a thorough inspection of high-end blades.
• Foot pocket care – The junction where the blade meets the foot pocket is a common failure point. Rinse thoroughly to remove sand that can abrade this connection from within. For removable blades, disassemble occasionally to clean mounting points.
• Strap and buckle maintenance – Rinse buckles under running water while working the mechanism to flush out sand and salt. Inspect heel straps for stretching or cracking – these are inexpensive to replace but dangerous if they fail mid-dive.
• Storage position – Store fins flat or hanging with blades straight to prevent warping. Never stack heavy items on fins or leave them in hot cars – heat can permanently deform even high-end fiberglass and carbon blades.

For divers on a budget, quality fins and masks are worth the investment. My guide to spearfishing gear for every budget breaks down what’s worth splurging on versus where you can save without compromising safety or performance.

🧵 Line, Reel & Rigging Maintenance – The Details Matter

The connections between you, your speargun, and your catch are critical safety components that require special spearfishing gear maintenance care. I’ve seen too many spearguns lost and trophy fish swimming away because someone neglected these crucial elements.

Line & Shooting Line Maintenance:

• Monofilament inspection – Run your fingers along the full length of mono lines to feel for nicks, abrasions, or flat spots that signal weakness. Replace immediately if damaged – mono is cheap, but lost fish and guns aren’t!
• Dyneema/Spectra care – These modern lines need special attention to knots, which can slip under tension. Check all connections after each use, and replace them if you see any fraying or discoloration.
• Crimps and connections – Inspect crimped connections for corrosion, which appears as a white powder or green patina on metal components. This weakens the crimp and can lead to catastrophic failure under load.
• Proper rinsing technique – Shooting lines and reels should be fully extended during rinsing to ensure salt doesn’t remain trapped between the coils of the line where it can cause hidden damage.

Reel & Float Line Systems:

1. Reel disassembly – At least quarterly, take your reel apart for deep cleaning. Focus on the ratchet mechanism, which can bind when salt builds up in the tiny teeth that control line release.
2. Float line rotation – To prevent UV damage and wear concentration, rotate which end of your float line connects to your float versus your belt. This distributes wear evenly and doubles the line’s lifespan.
3. Swivel maintenance – Rinse swivels thoroughly while rotating them under water to flush internal components. Apply a tiny drop of marine-grade lubricant after they’re completely dry.
4. Bungee/shock cord care – These elastic components degrade faster than almost anything else in your kit. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water and store unstretched in a cool, dark place. Replace at the first sign of cracking or lost elasticity.

Not sure which rigging components are essential versus optional? My guide on essential vs. unnecessary spearfishing gear breaks down what you need based on your hunting style and target species.

The Sport Diver magazine conducted testing that showed a properly maintained shooting line maintains up to 95% of its original strength over a year of use, while a neglected line can lose 40-50% of its strength in just a few months of regular exposure to salt water and sun.

Storage Secrets of Veteran Spearos

How you store your gear between trips is just as important as how you clean it. Proper spearfishing equipment storage prevents degradation during downtime and ensures everything’s ready when conditions are perfect for that dawn dive.

Off-Season Storage Protocol:

1. Climate considerations – Store gear in a climate-controlled environment when possible. Rapid changes in temperature and undue humidity accelerate rubber, plastic, and electrical equipment aging. If your garage reaches 100°F in summer, find another storage spot!
2. Release all tension – Remove bands from spearguns, disconnect reels, and relax any elastic components. Stored tension is the silent killer of rubber products like bands, mask straps, and bungees.
3. Position matters – Store wetsuits hung on proper hangers, never folded for long periods. Spearguns should be horizontal or hung by the handle, never leaning against walls where they can warp. Fins should lie flat or hang with blades straight.
4. Protect sharp edges – Use blade sheaths on knives and tip protectors on spears to prevent both accidental injury and damage to other gear. I use old socks pulled over speartips as a budget-friendly solution.
5. Moisture control – Place silica gel packets in sealed gear bags and containers to absorb residual moisture. This prevents mold and mildew that can permanently stain and degrade equipment. You can collect these packets from product packaging or buy them in bulk online.

Even with perfect storage, certain components have a finite shelf life. According to guidelines from Technical Diving International (TDI), rubber components degrade over time even when unused due to a process called outgassing, where plasticizers that keep the rubber flexible slowly evaporate.

🔍 Pre-Dive Inspection Routine – Better Safe Than Sorry

The dive site parking lot is the worst place to discover equipment problems. A systematic spearfishing kit inspection routine before every trip can prevent disappointment, wasted time, and even dangerous situations underwater.

My Pre-Trip Checklist (Developed After Many Hard Lessons):

• Band integrity checks – Pull bands back without loading the spear to test for appropriate tension and release. Inspect for discoloration, minute cracks, or overstretching of the rubber. Replace questionable bands immediately.
• Trigger mechanism test – Dry-fire the trigger (without bands) to verify smooth operation and proper safety engagement. If it feels “sticky” or inconsistent on land, it will fail underwater!
• Line and wishbone examination – Inspect the full length of the shooting line and focus on connection points where stress concentrates. Check the wishbone for symmetry and fraying at terminal ends.
• Mask seal test – Press the mask to your face without using the strap and inhale gently through your nose to check for proper sealing. Inspect the skirt for tiny tears or hardening, especially at feathered edges.
• Fin connection inspection – Check the junction between the foot pocket and blade for separation or stress cracking. Test strap tension and buckle operation before entering the water.
• Wetsuit seam check – Examine all seams, especially in high-movement areas like shoulders, crotch, and knees. Look for splitting, ripping, or failure of the thread. Small issues become big problems quickly underwater.

I’ve developed these habits through years of trial and error, but you can shortcut the learning curve. Many dive operations offer basic maintenance courses, and the TDI/SDI organization provides equipment specialist certifications worth considering if you’re serious about the sport.

✈️ Travel-Proof Your Spearfishing Kit – Protection on the Go

As someone who’s had gear mangled by airline baggage handlers (and once by a curious TSA agent disassembling my speargun), I’ve developed a solid system for traveling with spearfishing equipment that ensures it arrives ready to hunt.

The Ultimate Travel Protection Protocol:

1. Hard cases are worth it – Invest in proper hard cases with customizable foam inserts for fragile items like masks, computers, and camera gear. The protection is worth every penny when your equipment arrives intact.
2. Pre-travel deep clean – Thoroughly clean and dry all gear before packing. Any residual moisture or salt will corrode components during transit, especially in pressurized airplane cargo holds where temperature fluctuations cause condensation.
3. Strategic disassembly – Remove bands, disconnect shafts, and detach reels for transport. Secure small parts in labeled ziplock bags to prevent loss, and take photos of assembled configurations to aid in reassembly at your destination.
4. Buffer zones – Use neoprene sleeves for gun barrels, socks for speartips, and wetsuit pieces between hard components to prevent scratching and impact damage. Never pack metal directly against metal!
5. Documentation ready – Research airline and destination country regulations regarding spearfishing equipment. Some airlines require special handling forms for spearguns, and some countries have specific import restrictions. I keep a folder with printouts of relevant policies.

What gear should you even bother traveling with versus renting at your destination? My guide on esse0ntial vs. unnecessary spearfishing gear includes a section specifically on travel considerations that can save you baggage fees and headaches.

Eco-Friendly Maintenance Options – Better for Gear & Ocean

As ocean lovers, we should align our spearfishing equipment upkeep with environmental values. Many traditional cleaning products contain chemicals harmful to marine life – the same ecosystems we enjoy as spearos. Here’s how I’ve gone green in my maintenance routine:

Environmentally Conscious Alternatives:

• Natural cleaners – White vinegar, baking soda, and citric acid make excellent salt removers without harsh chemicals. I mix a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for metal components.
• Biodegradable wetsuit wash – Several companies now make neoprene-safe cleaners that break down naturally in the environment. They work just as well as traditional soaps without the environmental impact.
• Sustainable lubricants – Plant-based lubricants are now available that perform excellently in marine environments without risking toxic runoff when you rinse your gear.
• Recycled gear storage – Rather than buying new plastic storage bins, I repurpose food-grade buckets (thoroughly cleaned) for soaking and storing gear. The heavy plastic lasts years and keeps these things out of landfills.

Some marine conservation groups, such as the Project AWARE Foundation, have created guidelines for environmentally friendly dive gear maintenance that are in accordance with ocean protection principles without compromising equipment lifespan.

Conclusion: Implementing these spearfishing gear maintenance tips consistently will drastically extend your equipment’s lifespan while ensuring it performs optimally when you need it most.