where do you draw the line with sharks

[cdavis]

Good advice, Miles,

Sharks are a hard subject, because so much depends on the species, size and even location. It is very hard to generalize. For example, the only time I've ever been positive a shark was trying to bite me, it was a miseralble little lemon shark that couldn't have weighed 20 kg. Prior to that experiance, I would hardly have acknowledged the existance of such a little critter, much less thought he might come after me. At the same time, in the Western Gulf of Mexico, which has plenty of big sharks, it is standard procedure to use a stringer while spearing on scuba and, on a good day, to load it up with grouper. Shark problems happen, but they are rare. Do that in the Caribbean, and the sharks will be all over you pretty quick. In some areas of the Bahamas, reef sharks can be extremely agressive, while 50 miles away they may be much much less so, same species, same size, apparently the same habitat. I have no idea why.

As a very general guideline, if not very familiar with the sharks and habitat (this is probably overkill) I would stop spearing and move if I saw a shark. Recognize that, if you can see him, he is a whole lot closer than necessary for him to see all of you he needs to see. Better safe than sorry.

Connor

[Craig Thailand]

There is a big difference between the kind of sharks you guys are seeing and the kind I am. I dive with Black tips, nurse sharks and rarely silver tips. I have never seen a Tiger, Mako, Bull or GWS although we do get them around the Similans and Burma Banks, but I have yet to spearfish there, (national park)
The biggest worry I have is Giant Moray eels snatching from my stringer, not reef sharks.

[Marwan]

great advice miles and scary stories i might add i am nomally very comfortable around sharks, i have been scuba diving for over 15 years and have encoutered many sharks, filmed them, even tried feeding once (crazy) but it was a small white tip, but somehow when spearfishing i am not in my same comfort zone, i know about the size analogy (long fins, speargun, objects underwater etc..) but at the end i think it boils down to what makes you uncomfortable, and that would probably vary between people, and you will see the diferent precautions people take, shark shield, power head, etc... to be used as a last resort, my brief encouter during spearig was with a mediterranean grey shark, that wasnt big, but kept dissappearing, that made me very uncomfortable, i was shore diving and me and my buddy were way out, so the 15-20 min swim back to shore was spent in a 360 degee continuous rotation and high level of adrenaline
from what i read in your post, your " last line of defence seems to be a power head", I know thats very effective, but how practical is it in terms of rigging it to your speargun if the situation calls for it

[cdavis]

Marwan, you hit on the hard part, having a powerhead ready. I've read enough things by good spearos to realize that, in some situations, carrying a powerhead is useful, but only once did I have time to get one onto the spear during a serious run-in. I would REALLY have liked to have one that time.

Again, it is very hard to generalize.

Connor

[Decca]

I've seen a lot of bravado on forums about sharks. This attitude seems to be a bit more prevelent in Australia. A spearo that gets his leg chewed off or worse is neither tough nor smart. Take note of the caution urged by Miles. I had a similar experience with a 3 m GWS doing the disappearing trick. They are quiet and fast. At the time I was wearing a sharkshield.

The manufacturers' of the shark shield do not stand by their product if it is not worn correctly. That includes turning it off when there are no sharks around. It must be left on at all times while in the water.

If we could use a power head in Western Australia I'd have one in some areas in addition to the shark shield, and would have no problem using it if I were hassled. Bottom line is, a person's life is more important than that of a sharks. Seems obvious, but increasingly we are seeing people (eg. animal rights activitists) arguing they are equally important. It seems that at times unthinking spearos jump on the band wagon.

[ROBERT REYES]

Were are you from?
I guess it all depends on the behavior of the particular shark, most of the time, is no big deal.
The smart thing would be to get out of the water as soon as you see one.
I guess am not too smart.

[gutshot]

Originally Posted by podge

I’ve just bought a shark shield from the states and it has given me a bit more peace of mind, so if a shark were just swimming by I’d stay in however if it showed any sign of aggression I’d be out in a heartbeat.

Podge, i have to ask, where do you use this shark shield? i only ask as i see your location is somerset so i assume you don't use it around here!

[podge]

Hi Gutshot, I bought it because of the mako problem they had down off Portland.
A few very experienced spearo boys had the shit scared out of them buy a 4 meter shark buzzing bumping and taking fish from there stringers and the last thing I what is to become is fish food.
Happy diving
Paul

[Old Man Dave]

Over here in Guernsey we are just entering our time for the inshore movement of porbeagles into our bays at night. A 130 lb-er was netted a few days ago.

We are night diving these bays for sole, red mullet etc and trailing bleeding fish. No one has seen a shark - YET! Some of the guys are nervous, some are not. Porgies are supposed not to be dangerous but they got teeth, they're sharks and it's dark.

Personally i'm not too bothered. In fact I am probably gonna change my night 75cm gun to my 90cm with the reel. If it's under 100lb the porgie may be in more danger than me. Not sure if it's a 300 lb-er though.

Dave

[gutshot]

I would love to see one of our uk resident sharks while diving! It would make the dive for me. I certainly won't be trying to keep them away from me. I wouldl change my mind if it is a white pointer but i stand more chance for shitting out a winning lottery ticket than seeing one of those!

And before i get the "wait till you sea shark and you will shit yourself" comment, i have dived with loads of sharks in other countries. I just don't feel threatend by them unless i am surfing and i can't see them. It is a privalige to be in the water diving with them.

And yes, i do understand that in countries with a lot of sharks they can be a pain in the arse trying to nick your fish. I have the same problem here but with the seals sniffing around my fish on my belt.

I aggree with Decca about people being more important that the sharks but you also have to realize that we are putting ourself into direct competion for their food. We know the risks we take. If we were to get bitten noone is to blame but ourselves. Easy to say for me living and diving in the uk but we do have our sightings of white pointers around this part of the atlantic or so the rumour goes!!

Stay safe,

Gutshot

[miles]

Hiya

I have the same problem here but with the seals sniffing around my fish on my belt.

Having fish attached to a body stringer in area's where you KNOW there are sharks isn't a bright idea!! Even a seal can serious damage you should it decide that the fish on your belt is to its liking. Even a small shark can accidently bite you if its going for your fish attached to your belt, so rather put your fish on your float, much safer that way.

Regards
miles

[gutshot]

I aggree, but sharks just are not an issue here. the seals are more funny than anything else. It does have and advantage of stringing fish to your belt though. other bass see the bass on your belt and tend to be slightly less shy of you. I do string them onto my buoy if i have a lot of fish though.

Rest assured if i was in an area with lots of shark the fish would be on my buoy!

Cheers,

Gutshot

[foxfish]

Gutshot, I would agree with most of what you say. I have been spearfishing since a boy & have yet to see a shark in Guernsey. I have seen sharks from my boat & shared in the consumption of the ones that are caught in nets. There is no doubt sharks are present close in shore, as Dave has mentioned this is the time of year they come in real close. Porbeagles up to 300lb but mainly smaller enter our bays, I guess to feed on the red mullet?
15-20 years ago there was a shark fishing industry in Guernsey but they were fished out very quickly. It would seem they are comming back! The ones that are caught now are accidents, fishermen set thier nets for the red mullet & the occasional porbeagle gets tangled up.
Now if I came across a shark in our waters I dont know how I would react but I would love to see one.
In Podges defence regarding his shark shield, there has been some Mako activity but this has been kept discreet. I will send you a PM with more info.

[gutshot]

I got the PM, thanks for the info.

[joe123321]

Originally Posted by Craig Thailand

Spearing is all about shooting big fish that taste good and sharks fit both the requirments for a valid kill in my book. I am hoping to get me a few black tips this year, there are to many of them on the west coast here in Thailand, one or seven wont go a miss. I love watching sharks they arey amazing animals but if i get the chance to spear one and have the BBQ of a life time, then "it is on like donkey kong".

Right, like enugh sharks arent being killed already.-_-