Sharks

[t_barcode]

Hi all,

I had a search on this topic but nothing really answered my particular circumstance.

I come from NZ and the sharks we usually get are Bronzies and the odd Mako.

I understand that they are generally after the fish we shoot and not us. I have poked the odd curious shark and they don't really bother me but...

The other day we were out on the boat and we can across a meatball and the skipjacks were EVERYWHERE! Suffice to say the sharks were also jumping...

There was one guy who wanted to jump in and go for it but he ended up not doing it because the rest of us were too scared. He was quite a young guy who said he'd been spearfishing for about 2-3 years but he hadn't jumped in with sharks before so I wasn't going to fully General Custer into the water at that point...

I don't mind sharks when they aren't in a frenzy but what do the experts do? Would you get in the water for a chance to shoot a tuna? Or is it too dangerous when the sharks are literally jumping out of the water?

J

 

[t_barcode]

Went to the local shop to get new rubbers and spoke to the fellers there, question answered.

In NZ generally you're either as big as the shark or bigger (generally bigger) so they generally leave you alone.

Unless they are great whites, then you gotta be a bit careful...

I'm jumping in next time though!

 

[blaiz]

jump in!... just be wary and dont carry any burly around on your belt kui.

Generally when smaller sharks are in a ball like that they are after what ever bait is balling up. A great white or a tiger throws a wrench in that whole theory but just use your head. IF the sharks get too aggressive move on, the trouble your going to have is boating a fish before the sharks have their way with it.

Ill tell you another thing, I have grown up in Hawaii and deal with sharks on a regular basis, I just spent 7 months in New Zealand and you guys have some ballsy sharks! Had numerous run ins with some bigish bronzies... one easily 2.5 meters long and about as thick as a fuel drum. That thing did not take no for an answer. Ended up limping in with a kingy head and a broken fin blade!

You are lucky to live in a place as wonderful as NZ! Im already trying to figure out how to get back!

 

[Chris_C_NZ]

Get yourself down to the chelsea sugar factory in Auckland. Its a bronzie breeding ground. A great dive (on scuba) with a wreck there, but meh, I'd not take the chance! Bronzies are big buggers!

 

[mishu1984]

from what i can gather from the guys out of south africa they call it a day once a shark take a fish from the spear. Watch their pectorals: arched and erratic swimming and you might want to change spots.

buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system, buddy system.

i cant say it enough times. Having a trusted buddy diving with you gives you piece of mind, and after you shot that fish and are officialy up sh!t creek you can still have a paddle.

buddy system.

 

[blaiz]

Big difference between SA and NZ is that in SA spearos are dealing with white sharks, bulls and about 5 or 6 other species of reef sharks, New Zealand is mostly bronzies and the occasional Mako, neither are as aggressive or dangerous as bulls or great whites.

You have to know your own area and threats to make good judgements. Comparing SA with NZ is like apples and oranges...Its like jumping into a yard filled with pit-bulls as apposed to a yard filled with palmarainians... frankly, I'd take the pit-bulls :blackeye

 

[t_barcode]

lol blaiz

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[FreshyPoleSpear]

I don't see why your so afraid of Whites in BC we swim with the big boys all the time and they never get closer than a few meters. although i have never spear fished in salt water which could change the game a bit. hell i have even touched one of them with out a single nip.