Seal report? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 07-15-2015, 08:13 PM

I had 1 trip this year where the dogs came by a few times but nothing like you described. Best thing to have in LJ is a couple of party boats. Those things pull in most of the sea lions. They've been running off shore more than usual so the dogs are focusing on the yakkers. They're, big, smart, fast, basically fearless, and always hungry. That's a bad combination to deal with. When I get a bait bitten in half I keep the head in the lay for a while. You'll often see the dog ease in and hang out under your kayak waiting for the other half. Guys have talked about stashing hot peppers or even ghost peppers in a bait. Worth a shot I guess. Mike

cowboybill · 07-16-2015, 08:09 AM

Thanks for feedback.... To be clear, after many years I developed this subconscious listening for seals blowing air, and constantly scanning...I got pretty good at not loosing bait except the occasional seal.. But this last couple times they kept coming out of nowhere for the initial bait attack! I literally would see them at the last minute, coming head on, 20 feet down at 15 mph! I had only seconds to react and do what!? This was after standing(PA14), scanning, and listening for over 5 minutes with zero signs of seals! And then, it was like a hungry man at the buffet! The damn things would circle back to me every 5-10 min... I even stood there for a while with no bait working a yo-yo and or megabait... and there they came, checked me out,and back to the buffet! Very frustrating to say the least!

At first, I thought I was just sloppy and missed em... That was not it!

I learned that a seal has been recorded as holding its breath for 12 minutes, and gone roughly 1700 feet deep! They could have come from quite a ways away!?

I also researched that an active fisherman (actually fishing at the moment) can use a paint ball gun, sling shot, or rubber bullets from a firearm, along with various noise type devices to deter a seal from engaging in "problem behaviors"...(assuming area is legal to have same..) I carry a sling shot, and am an OK shot on land, but hitting a moving seal on a rolling yak .... the seals are pretty safe! LOL!
Now give me a Mossberg 12 gauge with rubber shot!

I would look like part of water world meets mad max! crazy

Source: http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/deter/index.htm

I have printed a copy and now carry on my yak just in case!

cowboybill

07-16-2015, 08:09 AM	#2
cowboybill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, CA Posts: 103	follow up on seals Thanks for feedback.... To be clear, after many years I developed this subconscious listening for seals blowing air, and constantly scanning...I got pretty good at not loosing bait except the occasional seal.. But this last couple times they kept coming out of nowhere for the initial bait attack! I literally would see them at the last minute, coming head on, 20 feet down at 15 mph! I had only seconds to react and do what!? This was after standing(PA14), scanning, and listening for over 5 minutes with zero signs of seals! And then, it was like a hungry man at the buffet! The damn things would circle back to me every 5-10 min... I even stood there for a while with no bait working a yo-yo and or megabait... and there they came, checked me out,and back to the buffet! Very frustrating to say the least! At first, I thought I was just sloppy and missed em... That was not it! I learned that a seal has been recorded as holding its breath for 12 minutes, and gone roughly 1700 feet deep! They could have come from quite a ways away!? I also researched that an active fisherman (actually fishing at the moment) can use a paint ball gun, sling shot, or rubber bullets from a firearm, along with various noise type devices to deter a seal from engaging in "problem behaviors"...(assuming area is legal to have same..) I carry a sling shot, and am an OK shot on land, but hitting a moving seal on a rolling yak .... the seals are pretty safe! LOL! Now give me a Mossberg 12 gauge with rubber shot! I would look like part of water world meets mad max! crazy Source: http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/deter/index.htm I have printed a copy and now carry on my yak just in case! cowboybill

07-15-2015, 08:13 PM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	I had 1 trip this year where the dogs came by a few times but nothing like you described. Best thing to have in LJ is a couple of party boats. Those things pull in most of the sea lions. They've been running off shore more than usual so the dogs are focusing on the yakkers. They're, big, smart, fast, basically fearless, and always hungry. That's a bad combination to deal with. When I get a bait bitten in half I keep the head in the lay for a while. You'll often see the dog ease in and hang out under your kayak waiting for the other half. Guys have talked about stashing hot peppers or even ghost peppers in a bait. Worth a shot I guess. Mike