Firearms to Carry while Fishing

Give the guy a break....    I'm from Alaska and up there even 80 year old grandmas who were blind in both eyes carried handguns.  I figure that most gun accidents happen to morons and if that is you....well, that sucks.  I do agree that it will probably be only minimally effective against sharks though.  I would endorse the use of handguns against fish stealing fur bags....ok...maybe not, but one can daydream.

I don't have a problem with guns, or carrying guns.  The issue is that the odds of encountering a shark in a manner in which a handgun would be effective are exceedingly low.  So low that the admittadly very low odds of shooting oneself or ones boat are still far greater than using a gun successfully against a shark.

Great whites attack from below at great speed.  If a GW was to attack you in your yak, you would almost assuradly be completely unaware of the shark untill it hit the boat, by then it would be too late.

Let's just face it folks, if the land lord comes to collect the rent, your gonna pay it, even if your packing a 155mm howitzer.

MolBasser

i think boaters would do this since they have the space to guarantee it will stay dry.

i cant think of a single instance when i would have needed a pistol out in the kayak.

i know in so cal you have boaters ripping up one anothers kelp paddies but even a gun would be overboard.

what happened to the good ol days? like my papa would say "son you better put up your dukes and use your fists if you want to fight like a man".

of course a bullet to someones rear end would make them think again before proceeding 

 Sounds to like the consensus of all that responded is; not a good idea to carry while on a kayak.  Honestly, I've never thought about having a gun while using my outback.   I'm 100% with MB, beer, firearms  = oil & water  they don't mix!

Troy

I am sure there are plenty of people who are sitting in prison right now wishing they didn't have a gun when they did.
I would much rather walk away pissed and cussing or even have my whole day of fishing ruined by some @ss than to exact my frustrations with the situation by using a firearm.
At least this way I wouldn't miss the next 20 years of kayak fishing.

I am sad that nobody has mentioned something that works great against sharks and boaters. Hell, if the fishing slow it might work too! It works great for making bait in a school of chovies.....hang net over side of boat...toss and throw the dynamite....yahoo!!!!   

I do recommend packing one when stream fishing for bear deterent. Also, would be usefull when fishing in mountain lion areas. Get scared and fire a few rounds in to the dirt and it will surely spook most cats off.

-Brian G

Nomad,

No doubt. I was talking to one of those 80 year old grannies on the plane to Sitka. After hearing that my buddy and I would be out kayaking and camping in the bush, in a very concerned tone of voice she asked if we would be carrying pepper spray. When I informed here that we'd be carrying firearms rather than spray, she got a big smile on her face and said "Oh, that's good!". 

Then there were the 5 surfers we met on the trail to the ocean from Kalinan bay. The three guys had packs and surfboards, the two women had packs and shotguns. The bear prints on the trail were about 7 inches across. Not huge, but certainly big enough to get our attention.


Regards,
Scott

I use my shotgun from a canoe and soon the kayak for duck hunting, I cant imagine stability problems from a .45 if you know what your doing...then again, if you know what your doing, the .45 is probably locked up on shore (unless hunting big game from the yak [I can't say if thats legal in CA...]).  Like Mooch, I cary flares, and have been very close to using them on ocasion (24' wakeboard boats are a real PIA)

2c

For great white purposes, I agree there's not much a .45 or any other pistol would do.  I have my concealed weapons permit, so I typically do carry (stashed below in a dry bag), but mainly because I don't want to leave my gun in the truck, and not for any type of protection.  I agree, it's better to paddle away than spend 20 years with Bubba!

However, hunting from your kayak is not only productive, but it's a kick in the ass!  My Pro-Explorer handles the recoil of my 12. guage with no problem.  Just be sure to keep minimal gear on deck, and use a gun you won't cry over dropping in the water.

-ben

Here's my pistol scenario:

_____ and I are paddling in the Ocean...probably near Fort Ross. _____ and I both notice we are being observed and circled by Mr. White (and I don't mean Sean.) Our original plan was to huddle together if this were to ever happen. However, _____ starts to paddle away and tries to stick me with the shark. So out comes Mr. .45 and I place one well aimed shot into the stern of _____'s kayak.

Bringing us to the infamous scenario of - "I don't have to outpaddle the shark....I just have to outpaddle you!".

Bringing us to the infamous scenario of - "I don't have to outpaddle the shark....I just have to outpaddle you!".

I was waiting for that scenario to come up. Thanks for the chuckle Rock Hooper.Now that makes sense!

I am sure there are plenty of people who are sitting in prison right now wishing they didn't have a gun when they did.
I would much rather walk away pissed and cussing or even have my whole day of fishing ruined by some @ss than to exact my frustrations with the situation by using a firearm.
At least this way I wouldn't miss the next 20 years of kayak fishing.

very well said and profound.  thx for that good insight.

And now, in order to remain truly bipartisan:

I'm sure there are plenty of people that are lying in their graves right now, with their loved ones wishing that they did have a gun when they didn't.

Don't get me wrong, illegally carrying is a really, really, really bad idea. Especially if you have a temper and are driving. But the crime rate of individuals that legally carry concealed approximates zero.

Regards,
Scott

P.S. Tote and I will never agree on firearms. But I do like his choice in kayaks.

A short speargun is a far more effective weapon in the water anyway. 

Also, while it's okay have have a gun out while on the water in your boat, it's probably not okay to have it out when on a public beach.  You'd probably have to lock it in a box or somesuch to avoid the possibility of being accused of 'brandishing' (firearm visible) or 'concealing' (firearm accessible and not visable).

Since a gun wont digest, maybe they could use it for identification when/ if they get the shark.
I keep a big sharpened nail epoxied into the but of a surf-caster at hands reach, if they get too nosey, I think a BIG poke would turn him, If I had the chance, BIG chance, I know...Thats after I get my pics. I think we are WAY lucky to live/ fish in waters with something truly amazing like GWSs. How boring would it be without?