Main • Shark shields?

[smilne]

Was thinking of getting a shark shield for my yak. However, the very recent tests done on them in South Australia are not very encouraging. The sharks took twice as long to take the bait but there was no difference in the number of baits taken when a shark shield was affixed 150cm away. If I was on my yak, not sure an extra couple of minutes would really make all that difference if I get eaten in the end anyway... Any thoughts?

[burnsie8495]

Where abouts are you fishing ?
Sharks are regular sights in this sport and sooner or later were all going to see one at least.
The shark shields have proven effective, bit like an intense irration for the shark.
When looking at the statics though ,with the millions of people australia wide using our waters for all sorts of things, attacks are extremely rare, with something like 4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality.
Its a piece of mind thing and many people opt for it. Which is the reason ive been looking into them as well.
Plenty of testimonials on the forum heres one for an example...
http://www.kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic. ... ld#p163032

[Tiberium]

What puts me off it is the price. $700

[burnsie8495]

Thats another big factor, they arent the cheapest things going, and would much prefer to spend it on new fishing gear
It realy depends how comfortable you are with your yak and the areas your fishing, most the time it'll be offshore you'll find them and there many ways of minimising your chances like dont bleed or leave bleed fishing hanging in the water (learnt this hard way on lake macquarie), but most the time they will only come for a look and if they get a bit to close for comfort, paddles at the ready.
It comes down to whether or not you can justify the money, but when in perspective how much is a life worth and an even better question, how much would you lay down to wet your lined

[GlenelgKiller]

When looking at the statics though ,with the millions of people australia wide using our waters for all sorts of things, attacks are extremely rare, with something like 4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality.

Not sure where you get your statistics from mate but they are off the mark. I can recall 5 fatals and 1 non-fatal in WA over the last 2 years plus 2 fatals in metro SA in quick succession around 12 years back. Also 2 attacks on yaks, 1 in SA and 1 in WA over the last year, both non-fatal. Part of the risk of water sports and im certainly not suggesting everyone should have a Shark Shield, i didnt for quite a while, but it certainly can happen.

[GlenelgKiller]

However, the very recent tests done on them in South Australia are not very encouraging.

Do you have more info on these tests as i havent heard anything?

[burnsie8495]

This is one report noting the results
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/201 ... 529306.htm

[badmotorfinger]

I think the most important part of the test was that the sharks aborted 100% of their extremely aggressive charges on trolled drones (think 5m GW leaping out of water with seal in mouth). It is this sort of attack which will put you in the water with the shark post initial hit and something that has happened to kayakers previously. Thankfully the sharks seemed to have been somewhat bemused after intitial strike and have left now swimming kayakers alone.

The fact that they still took a bait is important, but they were still clearly put off somewhat by the sharkshield. I am not planning on towing 1/2 a tuna around behind my kayak, and even if I did, I figure the shark will circle for twice as long giving me time to prepare or take measures to scare the shark off.

[solatree]

The Shark Shield for me is a bit of piece of mind - some extra insurance. It does not really matter how effective it actually is - as long as it helps me feel safer out there when I'm fishing in waters and at times when shark risk is higher. And it does. That way, I can focus on enjoying my fishing.

[burnsie8495]

as for the statics i was leading to those in regards to kayakers more then swimmer/surfers.

well from the study itll give you another 2 minutes to prepare, enough time to get a flare out, just in case

[smilne]

I dont think it means that the shield are necessarily useless - but I did find the results of the testing a little disappointing. Makes it harder to justify the cost when their efficacy in actually preventing an attack is so unclear.

[kayakone]

Where abouts are you fishing ?
Sharks are regular sights in this sport and sooner or later were all going to see one at least.
The shark shields have proven effective, bit like an intense irration for the shark.
When looking at the statics though ,with the millions of people australia wide using our waters for all sorts of things, attacks are extremely rare, with something like 4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality.
Its a piece of mind thing and many people opt for it. Which is the reason ive been looking into them as well.
Plenty of testimonials on the forum heres one for an example...
http://www.kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic. ... ld#p163032

"4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality" Not quite. One a year on average (deaths). 5 deaths in WA in the past 11 months.

Anything you can do to reduce the risk has got to be worth it.


trev



trev

[Tiberium]

Where abouts are you fishing ?
Sharks are regular sights in this sport and sooner or later were all going to see one at least.
The shark shields have proven effective, bit like an intense irration for the shark.
When looking at the statics though ,with the millions of people australia wide using our waters for all sorts of things, attacks are extremely rare, with something like 4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality.
Its a piece of mind thing and many people opt for it. Which is the reason ive been looking into them as well.
Plenty of testimonials on the forum heres one for an example...
http://www.kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic. ... ld#p163032

"4 attacks in the last 20-30 years with only one fatality" Not quite. One a year on average (deaths). 5 deaths in WA in the past 11 months.

Anyting you can do to reduce the risk has got to be worth it.


trev



trev

Your right Ill give them a leg so I don't lose an arm.

[GlenelgKiller]

The Shark Shield for me is a bit of piece of mind - some extra insurance. It does not really matter how effective it actually is - as long as it helps me feel safer out there when I'm fishing in waters and at times when shark risk is higher. And it does. That way, I can focus on enjoying my fishing.

Im with you Andy! Im just so much more comfortable knowing they are scientifically proven. Whats report is that? Im not listening.....

[Squidley]

I guess it's sobering to hear they don't eliminate the risk but reduce it. I do think a kayak has more in common with a seal lure skipping over the surface than half a tuna sitting in the water, and the seal decoy wasn't attacked in their tests with the SS switched on.