A really well designed and high quality speargun on the market is the Mares Strike. It has had good success on the market, but has not become a real point of reference as it should, probably, have been. Let’s see all the high quality solutions of the Mares Strike and the 4 different versions that make it a very complete offer.
The handle
Grip
The grip of the handle is of real high quality. Of good dimensions and anatomical, it is symmetrical, which means can be used by right and left handers. Two elements, one at the front and one at the rear, of yellow colour for the Strike, the Strike Polygon (camo barrel) and the Strike Element, for great visibility when the speargun is left on the sea floor, or military green for the Strike Base.
Side wings
Something that we always appreciate are the lateral wings to position properly the monofilament and keep it away from the line of aim. The Mares Strike has two side wings, one per side, and they are also well dimensioned.
Safety lock
The safety lock on the Mares Strike is well designed. There is a sliding button which has on the left a lock symbol. By pressing the button on the side of the lock, the system blocks the trigger. Pressing on the opposite side the speargun is free to shoot. When the lock is on, the right handers can feel the button with the hand, even though it is small and with thick gloves it could be more difficult to perceive it.
Release mechanism
Inverted 100% stainless steel
The release mechanism of the Mares Strike is another key element of this high level speargun. It is 100% stainless steel, with some additional elements added for best use. The design is inverted to obtain the maximum useful length moving the shaft connection as rear as possible.
Steel wheel
The contact between the elements of the mechanism is obtained through a steel wheel which reduces friction and wear. The release of the shaft is smoother and better controlled. At the same time, the reduced wear in time permits to have a longer lasting release mechanism also in terms of constant performance. This is a solution for top level spearguns that must be well considered.
Teflon elements
On the sides of the steel wheel two teflon components are present to additionally reduce friction and wear, and permit smooth shots.
Trigger
The trigger is in stainless steel, but has a glass loaded nylon cover on its frontal part. This has a serrated profile to improve grip and functionality when pressing the trigger. Another detail that shows the care that Mares has put in the design and manufacturing of the Strike.
Lateral release lever
The steel lateral release lever is extremely well designed. Even if not of great dimensions, it holds the monofilament in place perfectly. This is due to the fact that the angle of the lever is high and the line fits greatly at its base.
Edges to be smoothened
As in all standard products, the case of the release mechanism, also in stainless steel, has some slightly sharp edges which can be easily machined or sand papered to make them smoother, and better protect the monofilament connected to the shaft.
Barrel
The barrel is a classic 28 mm diameter solution with the high end integrated open track shaft guide (except for the Strike Element). The anodization is very well made. It is black for the Strike, Element and Base versions and camo blue for the Polygon.
Muzzle
The open muzzle of the Mares Strike is a very special and unique solution, in the sense that it is 100% designed by Mares and indeed different from many other solutions on the market. It can hold up to two circular elastic bands of 18 mm diameter.
Great bands orientation
Key part of the Mares Strike open muzzle are the important lateral profiles that guide extremely well the circular elastic bands immediately at the hight of the shaft. In such way they can then run parallel to the shaft for all the remaining length. This determines a more efficient shot, as the force produced by the elastic bands is parallel to the shaft and so 100% applied to the thrust of the latter along its axis. Additionally, the force applied in such way improves the precision of the shot. Still on this aspect, the line of aim with the elastic bands well parallel to the shaft, appears clear and helps aiming in the right way, as the bands are also aligned in the direction of the shot.
Good passages of the line
The passages for the monofilament on the muzzle are good and precise, with the capacity to hold the line in place very well. The depth of the narrow grooves for the positioning of the monofilament help in such sense.
Swing
The great dimensions of the lateral profiles for the positioning of the circular bands do not influence lateral swing, as the side section of the muzzle is very compact. The lateral profiles though impact slightly the vertical swing, compared at least to most compact muzzles of other brands. The latter though do not have the same capacity to position the circular bands in the correct way. So finally, it has to be a compromise for everyone and Mares has made the choice to give priority to the efficiency and precision of the shot.
Reel
The reel of the Mares Strike (also called Strike) is very well designed. It has a big dimensions knob to adjust the clutch, even though we would have preferred it even more extreme in the design, with greater levers to turn it properly even with thick gloves.
The distance of the reel from the handle and barrel is maybe a little higher than other solutions on the market, so we would suggest to make the winding lever foldable to avoid it come in contact with the sea floor when making an aspetto.
Shaft
The shaft is 6 on the Strike Element, 6.5 on the Strike and 7 mm on the Strike Polygon. The tip has a cone shape and changes angle at its end. The shaft has three shark fins complete with holes for the passage of the line. The single barb is places on a machined part of the shaft to reduce frontal section and improve penetration.
4 versions
The Mares Strike speargun is offered in 4 versions which fulfill most needs.
Strike
The Strike is the central version, set with a single 17 mm circular rubber band and 6.5 mm Tahitian shaft with single barb. The barrel is black and available in 55, 75, 90, 100 and 115 cm. Strike reel is included.
Strike Polygon
The Strike Polygon is the top of the line of the Strike family, with camo barrel in the lengths 75, 90, 100 and 115. It is set with a 7 mm shaft with single barb and shark fins, and double 14 mm Mares S-Power Indigo circular bands. The former World and Euro-African Champion Daniel Gospic has tested it with great satisfaction and results. Strike reel is included.
Strike Element
The Strike Element is the starting point of the 3 Strike spearguns with setup included. The difference compared to the Strike is that the barrel has no integrated shaft guide, and the shaft is a 6 mm instead of 6.5. Additionally, the Strike Element is sold without reel.
Strike Base
It is the “naked” version, that you can setup as you like. You buy the excellent grip with the release mechanism, the black 28 mm barrel and the open muzzle. All the rest is up to you. The choice of the shaft, rubber bands, reel and line are yours. We will see in the next article how the Mares Pure Passion Team loves to setup their Mares Strike, so you can also take inspiration from them!
