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The Mariner
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Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 678
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Bent,
I have actualy been trying to meet with Paul from SeaChange to talk about their Shark Shield over the past few weeks but he & I just seem to keep missing each other. I spoke to 'Scupper' recently & he's been looking into them too.
From what I read they do work but I haven't spoken to anyone who is living proof. They aren't cheap & the battery life means that for a full day fishing you'll probably need to have 2, which adds to the cost.
At the end of the day it's a safety issue & if it means you'll enjoy your time offshore (which is why we kayak fish in the first place), rather than be on-edge & always looking over your shoulder it's probably worth it.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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12/Aug/2005, 11:50 am
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bent1
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Registered: 01-2005
Location: Bruny Island Tasmania
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Phil, yes mate i am planning on two batteries as the purchase wouldn't be worth it otherwise. I read a report from John S on one of the US sites where he and his wife were recently hassled by a tiger and he credits the shield with saving their lives.
He didn't turn in on until he say the shark due to battery limitations but if i get one, it would have to be turned on constantly as i figure they are like seatbelts.
If i knew what day i was going to have to slam on my brakes, that would be the day i wear my seat belt. As i don't know this i wear it all the time.
Thanks for your reply, if you end up stocking them let us all know.
cacth ya bent
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"Katana" OK Prowler XT
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12/Aug/2005, 12:00 pm
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rawprawn
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Registered: 07-2005
Location: Central Coast
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hang on this is getting serious and your starting to worry me. Are you guys suggesting you are at real risk of being attacked by a shark whilst on a 14-15 foot plastic kayak or are you thinking about getting these shields specifically because you fish in Great White territory and are aware of some real risk?
Has anybody to date actually been seriously hurt or killed by a shark on a fishing kayak. I just figured it was about as dangerous as surfing (which I do). Sure you’re further out than what you would be on a surfboard but you’re also on a much larger craft.
Sharks are sometimes in the back of my mind when I surf and nearly always on my mind when I spear fish, but that’s just me they freak me out. I still understand the chances of being injured or attacked by a shark are very remote and that’s why I keep getting back in the water.
I could imagine a shark showing interest in you and scaring the pants off you, which for me is enough to take some preventative measures. But spending a few hundred $ is big outlay unless the risk is real.
What are the statistics on this?
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Greg
Central Coast
NSW
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12/Aug/2005, 1:02 pm
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The Mariner
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Location: Adelaide, Australia
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Greg,
Take a look here.
It shows that there are more attacks in the U.S. but this may just be because the authors have more access to U.S. incident reports than reports from anywhere else.
Looking at the breakdown of the attacks it does look like surfing, spear fishing & plain 'ole swimming are the most risky activities.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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12/Aug/2005, 1:17 pm
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bent1
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Location: Bruny Island Tasmania
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Greg, my 2 concerns down here are when i paddle with the seals which is something i really enjoy doing and want to continue to do although i haven't again yet since the incident that started this thread.
My other concern is the reef where i bottom bash down here is thick with makos in summer. I would have a hooked fish taken by a mako (nearly always little rats under 6foot long)every 2nd trip when fishing from my little tinny last season and am concerned about having one chase a hooked fish to the yak and then try to grab it as i unhook it. The 8 or so foot safety range offered by this product would eliminate this threat.
As i plan to get out wide this season after southern bluefin and albacore i am concerned about makos again with regards to hooked fish and also paddling in long distances with a bleeding tuna in my lap.
I yak fish alone as i seem to be one of the few yak fishos in the state so i think i need to do what i can to increase my safety.
Phil, do you know if they do a shield for small boats which would run off a small car/motor bike battery which could be adapted for yak use?
Catch ya Bent
Catch ya Bent
Last edited by bent1, 12/Aug/2005, 2:35 pm
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"Katana" OK Prowler XT
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12/Aug/2005, 2:27 pm
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The Mariner
Owner/Administrator
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Registered: 12-2004
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 678
Karma: 4 (+4/-0)
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Bent,
Good question ! I don't know but I'll try to speak to Sea Change (or the Australian Agent) and ask the question.
--- Regards,
Phil.
Forum Administrator.
Visit www.hookedonkayaks.com.au for kayaks and kayak fishing accessories. |
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12/Aug/2005, 3:24 pm
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simond11
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Location: Clovelly, NSW
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi guys
My understanding of the electronic "shark chaser" is that it is effective when turned on, but has a limited radius of operation. White sharks stalk their prey and suddenly, at great speeds, rush their victims and with a massive bite, immobilise the prey. At the speed they go at, about 50-60km an hour, the force field would have little or no effect on the shark. It's like setting up a barrier against an incoming freight train. Could be effective against smaller sharks.
Just a thought.
Simon
Q kayak escapade
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12/Aug/2005, 8:00 pm
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Meoldchina
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Registered: 01-2005
Location: Brisbane
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Scary thread, Bent1, that has eventually led to something I have been wondering about for quite some time … does the “electronic shark shield” work on Kayaks ?
Anyway, it prompted me to send a bunch of questions to SeaChange Technology and I promptly received a reply to all my questions from their National Sales Manager, Paul Lunn, so (after removing the answers to a couple of my “really dumb” questions) I thought I’d pass on those answers that might be of interest to others following this thread
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“Our web address is www.sharkshield.com many of your questions can be answered here, in particular the FAQ;s section.
Although the FREEDOM 4 unit was originally produced for the spearfishing market, it adapts quite easily to the canoe and kayak market by using a tether and suspending it over the side so that the power module and battery are out of the water but the antenna containing the two electrodes is in the water.
The resistance (drag) from the trailing antenna is extremely little, (most won't feel it).
The best place to deploy it is just behind the rear paddler out of the paddles way.
On a 15ft kayak, if the unit was mounted at the rear, the protective field would still cover the user as they would be central to the craft (approx) 3 meters away and the field will extend past them. Having stated that, it is far better to get as close as possible to the unit so it would be better to deploy as I mentioned above.
This technology is primarily designed to deter a shark in its investigative mode. It is wrong to think you are going to see the shark and then deploy the unit, it should be deployed and turned on at all times. With the thousands of testing repetitions with large White pointers in the worst situation with blood, offal and the unit strapped to a tuna, we have never had the bait attacked when the unit was on, even when sharks charged at speed, they still turned away.
To answer your question re leaving it switched on when pulling your craft over a sand bank, In that shallow water I would turn it off and put it in the boat (10 seconds work). Dragging the antenna will generally not hurt it, eventually the outer mesh shroud may show signs of wear but this will have no affect on the units function as this is purely cosmetic.
You should not get a tingle in the backside, the field will hit the hull and bounce back.
We have never had an antenna attacked by another creature.
The wave form is not like radio or microwaves and thus are not the cancer inducing form. This question was of great importance to the Military when looking at long term problems with their employees, their very comprehensive independent assessment resulted in our company receiving a NATO procurement number resulting in sales to the Australian and U.S. Military.
The protective wave form has no affect on any other marine creature, it only affects free swimming sharks and the larger the shark the greater the effect.
We have more problems deterring a very small shark than a 20 foot Great White.”
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So, all my questions have been answered and, yes, I AM disappointed about not being able to get a tingle in the bum.
If you go to the above site there is a recent testimonial from a Kayakfisher, see http://www.sharkshield.com/testimonials.php#tKayaking
Hey Phil, if you decide to stock them you might be able to get us a “group deal”.
Regards,
Ross
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12/Aug/2005, 8:04 pm
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bent1
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Registered: 01-2005
Location: Bruny Island Tasmania
Posts: 122
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Re: Fear or a Rush?
Hi Simon, mate they are tested in South Aus south i would have to assume that they would provide protection against a white. It is speculated that a shark would have muscles spasms in its jaw due to the field even if it wanted to continue the attack.
I have seen makos come in at a great rate of knots and rebound away just as quickly due to being spooked by something at the boat. I would hope this is what a white would do upon encountering the field.
The shield is designed to combat the big 3 in regards to atatcks, Whites, tigers and whalers(bulls)all of which are large species so they obviously don't just work on smaller sharks which would likely be intimidated by a 15 foot kayak anyway.
I look at it as one more thing i may be able to stack in my favour. Apparently during testing it has detered whites in feeding frenzys due to being heavily burleyed.
It is something that i will seriously consider for the future and i like the fact that it does work over a short range as it will no cause un-neccessary stress or pain on any shark minding its own business and would still permit a kayak angler from chasing lesser shark species.
catch ya bent
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"Katana" OK Prowler XT
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12/Aug/2005, 8:20 pm
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Ben 30
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Registered: 07-2005
Location: Hurstville NSW
Posts: 42
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 Re: Fear or a Rush?
Thanks for that link to Shark sheild Ross
I am also now maybe looking to get one after all of this shark talk
Regards Ben
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Ecobehzhig Perception
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12/Aug/2005, 8:21 pm
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