Seals

[IrishHunter]

Hi lads just wandering has anyone ever had any trouble with seals, there are quite a few where im from in ireland and sometimes iv heard the bull seals can get a bit nasty i had one a metre from me before when i was swimming at the saltee islands off my village he was ok but iv heard things, juat wanting to hear your views and experiences on the subject

[sunfish]

I see grey seals a lot. The population is pretty high round here. They're no bother at all so long as you don't corner them. I love seeing them. Sometimes they are friendly and come up close enough to get good photos. The females and young ones seem friendliest but I wouldn't approach them when they're breeding and have babies.
I think with most wild sea mammals it's probably best to let them come to you rather than trying to go to them.

[stone_shot]

Don't leave your fish hanging from a float when seals are around - unless you only want to bring home the lips

[Erik]

Over here they're no problem unless it's rut season... I've been body-checked, fins/suit bitten, basically chased back to the boat!

[scottwilson]

if you ignore them they usually loose interest in you, the odd nip on the fin and swimming under you is common with our local seals but it dont half crap you out when you find them staring at you thru the murky water

Ive always enjoyed watching them, the speed they can get to is unbelievable.

[gutshot]

I had them rip fish from my stringer before. I dive with them quite a lot around cornwall. Last weekend i had a big bull seal slightly pull me backwards by my fins. Then by my speargun line. I never felt threatend though at all though. The main problem is they scare the fish away. I have found that if i dive down and hide deep into the kelp and wait till the seal comes looking for you if you burst out of the kelp it gives them a scare and they bugger off! It works every time and you can fish in peace!

It does work for me but if anyone gets the wrong end of a seals temper after trying this trick i will deny every writing this tip!

Just be careful, they are amazing animals,.... if not annoyong at times!

[Pav]

love the seals, I view them the same way as a Dog that I don't know!

As for spooking the fish I've been suprised as to how close to the seals I've been able to take Bass. , however this has been during there fishing float sleeping time. When they are more active I find myself forgetting the hunt and watching. Its pretty clear when they want to play as has been said , as they will come to you.

[Huan]

Double band Rob Allen 140 stainless steel wire trace and an 20l Plastic oil drum.
Just make sure your holding shot is good and recover the spear later.

[mishu1984]

Huan: looool.
i must admit that ive always wandered what seal would taste like. i recon rather fatty, but ive always wanted to have a seal steak. i guess this is viewed as despicable, but its only natural to be curious. ive also wantedered about turtles.
i dont have much respect and admiration for dolphins, they are just gay sharks. however, im not going to be the bastard that shot Flipper, yet i will chuckle when some1 else does.
we all have our dark side. im just more in touch with mine :P

[badlander]

I had a good one the other day.Got closely checked out by the friendly local seal when i had a mullet on my belt stringer.Considered trying to hand feed him but thought better of it.He dissapeard for a while until i was almost back to my exit point.I was doing some dives close in to the rocks in the swell where it was murky .On my last dive i turned behind me to see him right behind me probably trying to sneak my fish.He got busted and sped off to do a bit of nose bathing whilst i got changed.I used to worry about seals a little bit but i love their company now....obviously not whilst hunting though.However,i've yet to encounter an aggresive seal.Might dampen my spirits for them somewhat.Even the mighty Terry Nutkins lost a few fingers to a seal.However,he was keeping it in his bath so he was kinda asking for it.

[gutshot]

Originally Posted by badlander

Even the mighty Terry Nutkins lost a few fingers to a seal.However,he was keeping it in his bath so he was kinda asking for it.

I thought it was an otter which chewed off his finger?

I was not as quick as you! Last year i was in the same situation except i felt my fish go. I looked down in time to see the seal backing off with mullet in mouth and a smug look on its face!

[badlander]

I thought it was a seal,may well be wrong....i'll investigate.

[badlander]

Well,it just so happens that one of my mates dad is good friends with Tezza Nutkins himself.Gutshot,you were spot on,it was indeed an otter that had away with his fingers.However,he did also have a pet seal that he brought round my mates house and it bit his mum.So there you go.My mate also said that he reckons Terry would probably be up for a spear next time he was around.It's all getting a trifle odd.

[gutshot]

Mr nutkins was a hero of mine growing up. The old Animal Magic. If you get to go spearing with him i will for always look at your posts with green eyes!!

[badlander]

My wife didn't know who Terry was! Guess she must have missed out on that era of TV gold.I'm not sure how often Tezza pops down but i'll keep you updated.