The spearing apparatus

The spearing apparatus is one of the main objects you will use, I will start with this since it is what excites people the most :-). First off please be aware that certain countries do not allow certain types of spearfishing gear. For example, in Singapore, even while in transit and it being in your checked luggage, spearguns are not allowed; in the Bahamas spearguns are not allowed, pole spears and Hawaiian slings are.
There are different types of spearing apparatus in existence, here are the three main ones:

1. The speargun: a rifle-looking-type of spearing apparatus where a spear is projected using a band/sling (a bit like the arrow of a crossbow is projected) made of rubber or using CO₂ from a cartridge. Spearguns are the easiest to use of the three types of spearing apparatus I am describing, I will go into more detail on spearguns in a separate post.
2. The Hawaiian sling: a primitive type of speargun, it is in its simplest form a tube (often wood) with a rubber band tied on one side and a spear. It is harder to catch fish using this. It has the advantage (other than pure sportsmanship reasons) to be small so you can pack it in a suitcase if you are not sure you will have time to go spearing it won't add much to the weight.
3. Pole spear: this is a long pole with a spear on the end, this is the hardest to use as you have to get quite close to the fish to be able to catch it.