Shark encounter - what to do

[Mwhitcraft]

I'll admit it, all this shark talk has gotten me a little frightened. Not that I'm going to quit going out, but I'd like to know how to react if I get bumped (to date I've only seen on shark while out, but he didn't harass me at all).

I've heard all sorts of advice from ignore it, to paddle towards it, to smack it hard with your paddle. Obviously, ignore it is the way to deal with a shark that isn't harassing you. But what if you are being harassed and/or followed? Will a shark follow you into the kelp line?

What would you do?

[HobieScot]

Larger GW supposedly won't enter kelp according to the shark experts. I don't believe it's actually been proven so take that for what it's worth






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[alanw]

If you're not trailing a chum slick behind you then they won't stick around long.

[DanaPT]

Keep calm. And don't almost get attacked.

No dead fish on deck (avoidence). Reel in bait... donate said bait to Mr shark . Paddle away calmly.

2 of last 3 outings I saw HHs.

[Geno Machino]

Do what I did...haul ass into the kelp-line while winding in my bait😓

[619-SWIM-DOG]

Ask said Shark kindly to remove him or her self from your fishing area.

[John Doe]

Originally Posted by HobieScot

Larger GW supposedly won't enter kelp according to the shark experts. I don't believe it's actually been proven so take that for what it's worth

I live up north, central coast. We used to think that till some divers shot this photo a few years back It ran in the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Photo was shot off Cambria.
http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/s...9/09/shark.jpg

[ful-rac]

What ever you do don't stick your feet and legs in the water....

Just stay calm and paddle or PEDDLE away. You should be just fine.

And...don't call the news or tell the lifeguard...unless it's a real emergency...

[Mwhitcraft]

Originally Posted by John Doe

I live up north, central coast. We used to think that till some divers shot this photo a few years back It ran in the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Photo was shot off Cambria.
http://sloblogs.thetribunenews.com/s...9/09/shark.jpg

That's a pretty scary photo! Thanks for the information. Does anyone advocate hitting the shark with a paddle, gaff or anything else you can get your hands on?

[HobieScot]

Only if it has you or your kayak in its mouth

If that's the case go for the eyes because that's their most vulnerable area

Otherwise don't provoke or piss them off






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[J.Mac]

*Hawaiian spear gaff*

More for piece of mind. 3 foot shovel handle with a 3 foot cement rod sharpened to a point. Tethered to the kayak with a 4 foot leash. Hopefully you never use it and odds are if it's that close to you it probably won't wait for you to get it out for a "fairer" fight 😂 at least with a circling shark you'll have something to poke back with just in case

[skrilla]

Aim for the eyes and gills and if you have to... the claspers.

[Dannowar]

Quit kayak fishing. The only way to avoid sharks.


And please don't go around poking at them. What if someone dangled a steak in your face and as soon as you went to take a bite someone jabbed you in the face? You're in their territory.

[Cbad Mike]

Don't smack it or you will be the one statistic under the "provoked attack" column.
Just keep paddling. They are curious and hungry nuisances just like the seals except they have fins.
Either they will get bored and leave or they will hang around long enough for you to get bored of them.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the encounter.
Relax and get some cool video but DONT promote it or go to the news.
If you do somehow find yourself getting eaten try to get swallowed whole and head first then just swim out his butthole.
In either case you'll be fine....
I promise.

[rossman]

If you see a shark you are very lucky on at least 2 levels. First of all they are amazing creatures so enjoy the view. Secondly the ones that you see are not the problems. If you read the first hand accounts of sharks attacking kayaks, none of them say 'I saw this shark and all of a sudden he attacked me" (except for that last fool). All of what I consider shark attacks are totally without warning. By the way, a bump is not an attack unless you are part of the media. Enjoy every moment and every experience on the water because us yakers are luckiest people on earth to be that close to nature's finest displays.

[kjsdad619]

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Don't smack it or you will be the one statistic under the "provoked attack" column.
Just keep paddling. They are curious and hungry nuisances just like the seals except they have fins.
Either they will get bored and leave or they will hang around long enough for you to get bored of them.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the encounter.
Relax and get some cool video but DONT promote it or go to the news.
If you do somehow find yourself getting eaten try to get swallowed whole and head first then just swim out his butthole.
In either case you'll be fine....
I promise.

Mike, best advice ever!!

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Would an expandable baton be useful as a deterrent?

[YakDout]

This is what id go with...

http://www.billsbangsticks.com/44-Ma...head_p_18.html


Maybe the 12 gauge round for backup.

[Mwhitcraft]

Originally Posted by YakDout

This is what id go with...

http://www.billsbangsticks.com/44-Ma...head_p_18.html


Maybe the 12 gauge round for backup.

I've considered getting a bangstick, just in case. I've shied away from the idea due to fear of accidentally shooting my leg off if I flip or get jostled too much. In a kayak, you are more likely to bump the firing end than you are when diving.

How secure is the safety on these? Does anyone know how likely they are to misfire? How difficult is it to remove the safety in case of an emergency?

[TJones]

Originally Posted by Mwhitcraft

I've considered getting a bangstick, just in case. I've shied away from the idea due to fear of accidentally shooting my leg off if I flip or get jostled too much. In a kayak, you are more likely to bump the firing end than you are when diving.

How secure is the safety on these? Does anyone know how likely they are to misfire? How difficult is it to remove the safety in case of an emergency?

The stick has never seen water due to probability of blowing a hole in yak or self . As you can see in photo the clip . The firing pin is hair pin sensitive .