I agree. In malibu-- I don't believe I have ever had a bait stolen by a dog. I only pick up my stringer if I am keeping bass or rockfish....but I have never had even close to an incident with that either. I see them all the time-- usually frolicking in the kelp==> they actually look cute to me. (Because they never steal my bait!) The LJ ones are just UGLY! :the_finger: Definitely have been trained and no longer keep a safe distance away.

This guy is a friend of a friend, you should check this out!

http://www.californiapaddle.com/

He is using an electrical field of some kind on his board that apparently deters the smaller predators, sharks, seals etc.,and other nuisances. When he finishes his Trek from Canada to the Mexican border I will ask him more about it. Something like that might work, a taser, cattle prod, or even an electrical field designed to dissuade seals, and other predators. I think it only works within a few feet of his board though...hmmm....

Anyone want to meet up and paddle with him through La Jolla?

How about?
 

I heard somewhere that a small paper clip on the tail of the mac will not significantly limit its swim ability, but deter the dogs as they sense the metal somehow. I have noticed they don't ever take a bait with a stinger rigged in the tail. Haven't tried it yet, but it would be worth experimenting.

That would be a superior solution to a "stinger" hook.... you could handle your bait without sticking yourself.

I think Nelz mentioned this trick in Hawaii for porpoise... I think they use echolocation to pick up the clip (I think :D )

Last year during the kelp loss, and everyone was catching nice WSB, besides me :the_finger: The dogs were in full force and people were loosing a lot of baits... After loosing 2 or 3 baits within minutes of eachother to "ol knothead." I took to the paperclip method... Confidently dropped my bait in the water with paperclip on the tail. LINE PEELING!!!! And it wasn't a WSB!!! :mad: Stupid DOG!!!

Chris

I've caught them on the stinger.....unfortunately!!!