Shark Hunting

[GinoBlue]

Just thought to start a new thread with an exciting topic. I am sure many of you spearos out there had tried to spear sharks, not to fend them away, but to bring them in! I once speared a small white Tip about 4-5 feet. It wasn't really violent. I am sure its a different story with the larger ones. Please join and tell us about your encounters with sharks big or small.

 

[zeN]

Interesting topic, I have wanted to hunt a leapord shark for taxidermy purposes ( I do my own) but never thought about the feasability of hunting larger ones with teeth, though I am game with a good powerhead I hear the Florida spearos kill bull sharks somewhat regularly, good hunting, zeNN

 

[megathumpzila]

A friend in Hawaii killed a 9 foot tiger. It stole his fish from the stringer, and hung around and he got a clean shot. The picture on the beach was awesome, and he gave coppies to the spearfishing shops.
This is a touchy thing in Hawaii. It's a pretty strong custom not to kill sharks, it's rooted in Hawaiian mythology and is a background thought in most people who grow up there. A lot of people got upset with it. He got an undeseved tag as a maniac and a dangerous guy to dive with, and these were untrue.
He also got a huge fish!

 

[zeN]

I have heard of Hawaiian mythology and their reverence of sharks, however I would say a spearo taking a big one with teeth has definitely demonstrated big cahones with that shot zeN

 

[GinoBlue]

Did your freind use a power head?

 

[Amphibious]

you will find this is a sore topic on deeperblue and most do not consider shark a game fish.

 

[Amphibious]

A friend in Hawaii killed a 9 foot tiger. It stole his fish from the stringer, and hung around and he got a clean shot. The picture on the beach was awesome, and he gave coppies to the spearfishing shops.

I hope he ate it. if not, be sure to kick him in the balls for me.


GinoBlue: if you were aware of the shark stocks in the Gulf you would not be hunting them. poor conservation and overfishing have left shark stocks in the Arabian gulf VERY low.

 

[megathumpzila]

No power head, a nice heavy spear. I think he was using a bigger Riffe but I don't remember. He said he was angry with the shark so he took the shot and stoned it. It was ~12 feet below him and not moving too fast at all, he couldn't resist.
He's got some records, and has hit a lot of very large fish.

 

[zeN]

Some species of sharks are defined as game fish by Fish and Game Departments, and as such are managed, with seasons and bag limits, anything else is personal opinion-frankly anything with teeth that eat people should be fair game zeN

 

[GinoBlue]

you will find this is a sore topic on deeperblue and most do not consider shark a game fish.

Well, it depends in which part of the world you are spearing. In some parts many species are illegal to shoot. In the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman where we hunt, it is not. In my view if it’s not illegal and it is edible, it satisfies my criteria for a game fish. Especially if it poses a challenge.

 

[GinoBlue]

GinoBlue: if you were aware of the shark stocks in the Gulf you would not be hunting them. poor conservation and overfishing have left shark stocks in the Arabian gulf VERY low.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you about their low stocks, but not because of overfishing. The main reason for low stocks of all marine life in the Gulf is polution. Thanks to the oil inds. and Sadam Hussain. The Gulf of Oman (Indian Ocean) is less affected and offers better locations.

 

[megathumpzila]

The challenge seems psychological. A shark doesn't get big by taking chances, if you don't stone it it's almost certainly going to run and you won't be able to fight it at all.
Smaller sharks like whit tips when they are about 3 feet are crazy, they will try to run you off their reef and I'm thinking it's 50-50 that they might attack.

They really aren't too good to hunt I think.

 

[Erik]

I agree with you about their low stocks, but not because of overfishing. The main reason for low stocks of all marine life in the Gulf is polution. Thanks to the oil inds. and Sadam Hussain. .[/QUOTE]

And Bahrains 25 years of dredging to expand the island hasn't helped either.
Oman remains on my list of 'must go spearfishing' places.
Peace and Happy Hunting,
Erik Y.

 

[GinoBlue]

Smaller sharks like whit tips when they are about 3 feet are crazy, they will try to run you off their reef and I'm thinking it's 50-50 that they might attack.They really aren't too good to hunt I think.

White Tips do bite when provoked, but I think any good sized shark will try to attack if not stoned. I know a guy who got a painfull bite from a nurse shark when he cornered it.

 

[GinoBlue]

And Bahrains 25 years of dredging to expand the island hasn't helped either.
Oman remains on my list of 'must go spearfishing' places.
Peace and Happy Hunting,
Erik Y.

Not to mention the huge offshore projects in Dubai where they have created more than 400 new islands. But the gulf remains a good spot for Sailfish and Marline.

 

[miles]

Hiya

I'd LOVE to see the spearo who would be willing to take on a 4m Great White or Mako with ONLY a spear!!! rofl rofl rofl

Smaller sharks are pretty harmless. Sure, some of them can give you a bite, but REAL sharks, ie, those over 3.5m will EASILY SWALLOW a spearo WHOLE!! A little spear is only going to annoy a LARGE shark, which is most likely going to turn on you. I've been in the water with a 4m Great White and he was very lethargic..........DON'T want to imagine being in the water with a PEEVED off GREAT WHITE or any other large shark!!

Be carefull that the HUNTER doesn't become the HUNTED!! rofl rofl

Regards
miles

 

[zeN]

Obviously you don't spearfish much, a "spearo" is a spearfisherman that uses a wide variety of tools, in the case of sharks, powerheads (up to 30-06) are used, and they pretty much shred fish flesh when properly applied; I am not suggesting you can reliably defend or hunt sharks in most cases, as a stealth attack is almost impossible to see coming (although one can still resist, at least in many cases), however prob 50% or more of cases of shark attacks are preceded circling the prey, bumping, etc. in which case a good spearo can make a defense. (usually this is accompanied by extreme peristalsis) zeN

 

[Amphibious]

Obviously you don't spearfish much, a "spearo" is a spearfisherman that uses a wide variety of tools, in the case of sharks, powerheads (up to 30-06) are used, and they pretty much shred fish flesh when properly applied; I am not suggesting you can reliably defend or hunt sharks in most cases, as a stealth attack is almost impossible to see coming (although one can still resist, at least in many cases), however prob 50% or more of cases of shark attacks are preceded circling the prey, bumping, etc. in which case a good spearo can make a defense. (usually this is accompanied by extreme peristalsis) zeN

WOW, if that's directed at Miles you really are a dummy as he's one helluva spearfisherman. stick around, you might learn something from miles (as we all have on this board) rofl rofl rofl

a spearo is a sportsman, and there is nothing sporting about a powerhead. :hmm

 

[zeN]

Well from my position you clearly fit the bill of dummy and RUDE, there is no call for that kind of post, esp. from a "Team Leader," if you hunt sharks with a regular spear tip you clearly need some training; and as far as powerheads go, it's a matter of personal preference, esp. with big dangerous game, e.g. sharks, and if you think a regular spear tip is adequate for protection against bull sharks or larger you need to spearfish in the lake zeN

 

[miles]

Hiya Zen

if you hunt sharks with a regular spear tip you clearly need some training

No matter how much training you have or how experienced you are, hunting very large sharks with ONLY a spear is dangerous!! You WILL get mauled!!!

Powerheads don't work 100% of the time. Peoples opinions vary, but the general consenses is that if you HARVEST a specie with or with-out a powerhead, it is no longer sporting. Spearfishing is a sport for almost all of us here. If the sole aim is to kill as much fish possible in the shortest time, as in for commercial purposes, then YES, a powerhead would be very effective. But on the flipside, so would DYNAMITE!!

Obviously you don't spearfish much

You're absolutely correct on that one. I haven't been in the water for AGESSSS!!! I'm starting to get with-drawal symptoms already. Even the fish is my wifes aquaruim has been looking decidedly nervous when i walk past the tank with THAT look in my eyes......................

Regards
and stay safe

miles