[deckhand mike]

For shark I get close and go for a head shot. I try to get the shot so the spear penetrates the back of the brain and comes out the bottom of its lower jaw, not only will this stun but it it kinda keeps it's mouth pinned shut if your spear fully penetrates. As for killing it with your knife that's up to you. I usully shoot mine very close to shore in the surf zone and rather than try to finish it in the water I let it run with my fifty foot floatline and I drag it onto the beach and finish it there. Too risky in murky water. I also notice sometimes they are in big schools and while I have never been attacked I'd rather keep the frenzy at the end of my floaline and not right by me.