Official GWS Thread

The Shark Shield does not attract sharks for the simple reason that the electrical field that it produces does not radiate any significant distance. I see it being effective in situations where the shark has been investigating the potential dinner, not necessarily mad rush from the depths to predate on a seal pup scenario. But after seeing how the GWS will veer off of the trolled seal pup dummy at the last second, who knows....


Scott

That link doesn't say anything about attracting sharks.  It just says the thing doesn't work, and equates it with snake oil sales swindles.   For me, money is tight right now, so cost/benefit is it....does it work?  I know someone posted a link on this site documenting that a shark ate one of those things during a field test.  I don't have the time to find it.

Dave, i hear money is tight. Please dont let my story keep you outta the water. just be aware, you know, and in the future if it becomes do able, i would suggest getting one. thats just me. Ive seen em work on big fish. Funny the Oz govt. should say that. after buying hundreds of units for its navy, and having done its own testing on the product. personally, im very sceptical of our govt.

I was the one who posted a GWS eating a shark shield,

It happen to a surfer while he was riding a wave, the shark bit the tailboard with the unit attached.

 it was figured that the coil was probably not in the water at the time of the attack.

 It is a must for this thing to be effective, to have the coil fully immersed...

Ok, I read the " nay saying "article. First off Id like to say Ive managed a surf shop before, and spoken to many surf/ dive shop workers. There seems to be a huge avoidance of this product, because it scares customers off. Parents don't want to buy a $100 boogieboard,if they feel they need to lay out $700 for protection, to be a good parent.
this guy making the statement, Rory,( working for the dept. of fisheries,which sounds like DFG, and we all know how they get it rite every time ...just a thought..he is their expert, and I'm sure very qualified..so his opinion should carry weight) said "the devices may offer some protection, people should not assume shark shield units will prevent shark attacks." would you wear a flack jacket in Falluja. do you like airbags. do you use a safety belt. none of these are a guarantee of your safety, but are the best technologies available.
the part that really ticks me off is"McAulay cited..inadequate field testing to back up manufacture claims that Shark Shield devices actually prevent shark attacks." that is absolute BS. if i were sea change id be looking a lawsuit. This thing has been in development for nearly 2 decades,and tested in its current form on thousands of large predatory sharks successfully. my feeling is this statement by Rory smacks of professional jealousy. look around and you'll find scientist who say climate change is a croc...ill go with the majority. And posting that fake snake oil offer, what does that tell you about this reporters integrity. way to be unbiased LAMAR BENNINGTON ya hack!

Well, I have to say, I would definitely think about using a shield after this latest addition to this thread.

Especially if one is going to fish the bean regularly.

Danglin, can you post a pic of how you have yours rigged and what it looks like?

Jim.
Ill try and post pics soon, but i recently broke my camera.If your gonna get one, we should really try and figure out which model is better for us. (freedom 7 vs Surf 7). the guys at SS said the surf, but its 10ft electrode is more cumbersome than the compact freedom 7( but apparently slightly more effective...still you have to use it for it to work!) the units are exactl the same, the diff is in the electrode.They both will work. you can use the freedom 7 for abs as well.i should be in SC soon and you are welcome to check it out then...

OK, Sharky you've got my interest.  how much does this thing weigh?  If you've already stated this and its back in the huge thread, just tell me to do my homework.

I'm a surfer (1st), yak fisher, and freedive spearfisher.  I'm thinking the one you called "freedom" would be the ticket.  Used on like a 7' 6" to 8' 0".  they're not small boards, so it wouldn't unbalance the board?

On one of the surf sites, they rated our local break as a "10," which is "bring your own shark cage."

dave im not sure about the weight. Ill either weigh it when i get home or find the documentation.
here is their urlhttp://www.sharkshield.com/Content/Home/
I guess the freedom is the one but dont take my word for it, phone em. they are very helpful. i think you may even be able to VOIP them from the site..

In water weight (Complete):    69 grams (2.4oz), but it actual outy of water wt is somethimg like 3 or 4....illcheck later

In water weight (Complete):    69 grams (2.4oz), but it actual outy of water wt is somethimg like 3 or 4....illcheck later

Thanks for your help.......Hmmm...$700.

I ordered a freedom 7 from the web site and paid via paypal. $762.58 shipped.

I'll report here on what happens. 

I'm hoping I can hang that thing off my rudder or stern toggle.  as for my surf board it seems it could be hung off the leash right where it attaches to the board if you don't want to attach it to your ankle.

J

I ordered a freedom 7 from the web site and paid via paypal. $762.58 shipped.

I'll report here on what happens. 

I'm hoping I can hang that thing off my rudder or stern toggle.  as for my surf board it seems it could be hung off the leash right where it attaches to the board if you don't want to attach it to your ankle.

J

very cool.  I'm interested.

Danglin, can you post a pic of how you have yours rigged and what it looks like?

 Sorry not to get this up sooner,  especially since you were on the fence to Buy one, 

ConGrats BTW....

 I have yet to get out on the salt with it, but I figure it's going to look something like this.

 I have been told only the Coil needs to be in the water.

 If the whole unit needs to be in the water, I'll have to keep working with it....

 The Velcro is wrapped around the Bungee rigging and a extra leash is running thru the Velcro " Hole " and the wiring. There really are not any " Good " spots to leash this thing other than thru space where your leg would be. I think I'm going to have to come up with some sort of modification, maybe have a sew shop install a gromit or something. The Velcro is VERY strong, probably be enough on it's own, but with it's price tag, a little more security would be nice.

Fhe guy at ss said it was cool to drop the electrode throu a scupper with the unit onboard, so no the unit dosnt have to be in the water, just the electrode...Imalmost certain its the same with the freedom....