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shark shield
- Thread starter mo-manack
- Start date
It doesn't scare bony fish away, but most shark devices are actually an attractant to sharks but when the shark ventures too close it will turn away.
But it still is a elecrical field around you in the water and most sharks in the area will most likely come to check out what s there.
Im not firing down the devices at all but imo I* would only use it ina area you knpw theres gonna be sharks or maybe at anew spot that looks dodgy, that way you will also probaply get to know which sharks are in the area if they sense your presence
But it still is a elecrical field around you in the water and most sharks in the area will most likely come to check out what s there.
Im not firing down the devices at all but imo I* would only use it ina area you knpw theres gonna be sharks or maybe at anew spot that looks dodgy, that way you will also probaply get to know which sharks are in the area if they sense your presence
There is ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF that these devices attract sharks from further away. This is just an idea a few guys have dreamed up - I guess it comes from not wanting to be the only one in the water not wearing one? Personally I don't think they do, but the point is that we don't know, so to say they attract sharks is disingenuous at best.
I have one, and use it for shoredives upcoast. Who knows if they work or not, I have seen a huge shark while not wearing it, and I would rather have had it on. Having said that, I can't say that it makes me feel particularly secure, you wonder if it can really turn away a shark that big??
I have shot a number of fish wearing it, including shy cracker, so it is fine to shoot fish. It has chased away some spotted gully sharks, so I have seen it work on smaller sharks (up to 5 foot).
Cheers,
Tony
I have one, and use it for shoredives upcoast. Who knows if they work or not, I have seen a huge shark while not wearing it, and I would rather have had it on. Having said that, I can't say that it makes me feel particularly secure, you wonder if it can really turn away a shark that big??
I have shot a number of fish wearing it, including shy cracker, so it is fine to shoot fish. It has chased away some spotted gully sharks, so I have seen it work on smaller sharks (up to 5 foot).
Cheers,
Tony
I posted this in another forum:
Doing research before buying one, I made up my mind that they will most probably ward of curious sharks and this prompted me to get one.
However, I went spearfishing in False Bay a couple of weeks ago and whilst lining up a Roman a HUGE Short-tail stingray (Black pylie) came to say hi. I was surprised to see it because as far as I know most rays and skates also have Ampullae of Lorenzini and my assumption was that these would also be influenced by the Shark Shield. I thought that maybe they are just not as sensitive as a sharks electrical receptors so decided to test it. The ray was super curious (maybe because I already had some fish on my stringer) and swam very close to me. This gave me the opportunity of dropping the rope/antenna of the shield right on top of it – well, it didn’t even flinch. It hung around until I eventually had enough and moved away as it was scaring all the fish away.
Although this put a bit of a dent in my confidence of its capability I have never had (and hopefully never will) an encounter with really big shark (GW / Zambi / Tiger) so can’t really say if it does or doesn’t work. Maybe it does and that’s the reason why I have had no encounter.
My opinion is still rather safe than sorry, so I always use my Shark Shield whenever I spear or go kayak fishing in areas that are known to have big sharks.
Doing research before buying one, I made up my mind that they will most probably ward of curious sharks and this prompted me to get one.
However, I went spearfishing in False Bay a couple of weeks ago and whilst lining up a Roman a HUGE Short-tail stingray (Black pylie) came to say hi. I was surprised to see it because as far as I know most rays and skates also have Ampullae of Lorenzini and my assumption was that these would also be influenced by the Shark Shield. I thought that maybe they are just not as sensitive as a sharks electrical receptors so decided to test it. The ray was super curious (maybe because I already had some fish on my stringer) and swam very close to me. This gave me the opportunity of dropping the rope/antenna of the shield right on top of it – well, it didn’t even flinch. It hung around until I eventually had enough and moved away as it was scaring all the fish away.
Although this put a bit of a dent in my confidence of its capability I have never had (and hopefully never will) an encounter with really big shark (GW / Zambi / Tiger) so can’t really say if it does or doesn’t work. Maybe it does and that’s the reason why I have had no encounter.
My opinion is still rather safe than sorry, so I always use my Shark Shield whenever I spear or go kayak fishing in areas that are known to have big sharks.
Capespearo
Senior Member
Agreed,also where mine in areas known to house big taxmen,but that does not mean I would dive these areas in bad visibility just because of the shield.Would rather be wearing one than not when a great fright comes to take a gander.There has also been no fatal shark attacks on a user of the shield,the stats on attacks are already very slim,but that at least gives me a little confidence in the product.
thanks for all the input guys,really appreciate it.i am keen on starting spearfishing..may sound silly but just out of curiosity,atm i fish of a ski boat n fish for bottoms often,do you yhink if i send a shark shield down attatched to my trace when the jonnys are around,the will leav my fish?
Good day Gentlemen
I am doing an article on the Shark shield, and will be able to send you the link to the magazine once it is out.
I spoke to Rabitech about the technology and I have a unit to test, so let me know if anyone is diving in the Cape Town area anytime soon, and we test it.
The best way to explain the unit is that it is like using a safety belt in your car. You can drive without it, but your odds are better with it.
send me a PM and I will forward you the link to the new watersports magazine that will incorporate spearfishing and freediving.
I am doing an article on the Shark shield, and will be able to send you the link to the magazine once it is out.
I spoke to Rabitech about the technology and I have a unit to test, so let me know if anyone is diving in the Cape Town area anytime soon, and we test it.
The best way to explain the unit is that it is like using a safety belt in your car. You can drive without it, but your odds are better with it.
send me a PM and I will forward you the link to the new watersports magazine that will incorporate spearfishing and freediving.
white pointer
Senior Member
i firmly believe that the shark shield will work on an inqusitive shark and deter it away but if its to be a full attacked with intent it wont work and your chances are slim but Mr Sandmann bring it to me i have no problems on testing it out
Check oput the Natal Sharks Board website, they have an article on it. My son has one and uses it whenever he dives. Any bugs in the bag flinch every time the pod pulses ? As I said before a Pod is a lot cheaper than an artificial limb and I guess it would be pretty difficult to spear with one arm.
Sorry to jump in on this one, what's the cost of a Shark Shield? I have heard of prices +/- 5K - correct?
I have not had any encounters with sharks in SA or Moz, however some of my friends on Inhaca (Locals) had some thrilling experiences with big okes! They don't use any shields! In fact after a morning's fishing trip - most of the crew will kit up and move inshore and continue to spear! I was amazed at their courage and determination! Certainly hardcore and not for the faint hearted! It's not uncommon for them to add a 200kg - 300kg plus of fish to the boats tally for the day by spearing!
In recent years, I am only aware of about 3 shark incidents in Southern Moz (1) Bilene - Fatal (2) Chidenguele - Fatal (3) Ponta - injured, please note I stated recently and what I am aware of! Sadly all South Africans.
Perhaps once a prim and proper market is going the cost of a shield will be much less and affordable to spearOs that want to use them, but for now they are a bit above the average dude's budget (I can agree more with @ Plugger's statement - Pod is a lot cheaper than an artificial limb and I guess it would be pretty difficult to spear with one arm)
Is there any Website, where one can browse and learn more about the shark shield?
I have not had any encounters with sharks in SA or Moz, however some of my friends on Inhaca (Locals) had some thrilling experiences with big okes! They don't use any shields! In fact after a morning's fishing trip - most of the crew will kit up and move inshore and continue to spear! I was amazed at their courage and determination! Certainly hardcore and not for the faint hearted! It's not uncommon for them to add a 200kg - 300kg plus of fish to the boats tally for the day by spearing!
In recent years, I am only aware of about 3 shark incidents in Southern Moz (1) Bilene - Fatal (2) Chidenguele - Fatal (3) Ponta - injured, please note I stated recently and what I am aware of! Sadly all South Africans.
Perhaps once a prim and proper market is going the cost of a shield will be much less and affordable to spearOs that want to use them, but for now they are a bit above the average dude's budget (I can agree more with @ Plugger's statement - Pod is a lot cheaper than an artificial limb and I guess it would be pretty difficult to spear with one arm)
Is there any Website, where one can browse and learn more about the shark shield?
Go to the Natal Sharks Board website theres a link there. Or phone them and speak to a guy by the name of von Blerk (can't remember his first name)he knows the whole history of the shark shield/pod and was involved in the design stages as well. I paid R3500 for my sons one.