NorCal Kayak Anglers

General => General Talk => Topic started by: JimmyD on September 17, 2017, 09:42:29 AM

Title: Shark shield question
Post by: JimmyD on September 17, 2017, 09:42:29 AM
What models do u have and where do u mount them?

I saw a used shark shield freedom 4 for $100 and was wondering if it was good for kayaks.

Jimmy
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on September 17, 2017, 11:23:39 AM
I've got the freedom 7. According to this link

http://wadivers.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7203

the differences have to do with run time and ease of charging. They say the freedom 4 lasts for 4 hours, whereas the freedom 7 is supposed to go 7 hours. Mine goes 5 hours and 45 minutes (almost to the minute). So, I'd think the freedom 4 is probably going to be about 3.5 hours, which seems too short, IMHO.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: DG on September 17, 2017, 11:45:12 AM
I wouldn't buy that old of a model.  Even if the battery lasted half the time years ago compared to a newer model it could be way worse now. 


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Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Fuzzy Tom on September 17, 2017, 06:09:14 PM
The "hose" on mine won't fit through any of the scuppers, so I hang it off the side handle, but it takes some fiddling to get it so the battery part doesn't drag in the water, and the hose to head down before it streams back.  I used some short lengths of cord attached to other fittings, and kept tying knots to adjust it until I got it right. Even in the best position on the side, it cuts my speed by most of one mph.  It might cause less drag if mounted further aft, but I kind of like it near where my body is for some reason.  I also tied a safety lanyard onto it with a clip at the end, so I can clip it to the yak first, then start attaching the unit without fear of losing it.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on September 17, 2017, 10:14:16 PM
The "hose" on mine won't fit through any of the scuppers, so I hang it off the side handle, ...

On my Hobie, it fits perfectly through a rear scupper hole, where it's secure and nicely out of the way. I also have a short leash attached so even in the worst case, it won't end up at the bottom of the ocean.

I never thought about testing the amount of drag, but I'm sure that's what accounts for me being such a slow fart.  :smt005
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Scurvy on September 22, 2017, 08:10:56 AM
I've got a Hobie w/ the Vantage seat, and as Scott already noted, the antenna goes thru the tank well scupper nicely. I also find this location is perfect for utilizing the Freedom 7's Velcro strap to attach the unit to the seat back's lower crossmember which pretty much gets the antenna pointing straight down thru the scupper. Since the seat is secured to the boat, then so is the Shield.


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Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: bdon on September 22, 2017, 10:44:44 PM
How important do you think having a shark shield is?  Do you feel that it's worth it?
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: trianglelaguna on September 23, 2017, 06:52:31 AM
freedom 7 velcro ankle strap around my front seat clip strap...dial is right at my hip and unit is dry on side of seat...dangles/trails down one side

Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Eddie on September 23, 2017, 07:33:26 AM
How important do you think having a shark shield is?  Do you feel that it's worth it?
Everyone is different.  If you know statistics you probably don't need one.  If you know them and are a bit skeptical regarding drivebys and kayak attacks then it is a possible tool.  Worth it?  It does help me with some strange confidence that I'm a percentage safer with it, but not to be oblivious to the hair on my neck and the eerie conditions that some have written about here before a sighting or even a bump or actual experience.  Supposedly, if it's your time to meet your maker then your going home shark shield or not, I put the sticker on my kayak in case the unit is not effective and the shark can read :smt005........look out for those whales and those 400lb sea lions also........ :smt006
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on September 23, 2017, 08:52:00 AM
How important do you think having a shark shield is?  Do you feel that it's worth it?

It's only important if you fish in salty water...

Whether it's worth it or not is hard to say, as that depends on your chance of being attacked and the effectiveness of the SS. I don't know how to determine the chance of being attacked (although it does seem that more than a few people on this board have had a close encounter). As to whether it's effective, for kayakers I'd say the answer to that appears to be "yes".
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: trianglelaguna on September 28, 2017, 10:21:11 PM
if your spending the whole day in deep waters where there ARE giant white sharks....and this device is proven to deter them from 'under yak launch attack' then , no ...not important  :smt001.....let em rip..of course, it helps...it will turn a charge away...im looking the other way fishing and will never know it worked...but dang it makes for some fun boils near by sometimes...
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: trianglelaguna on September 28, 2017, 10:23:41 PM
oh and it will stun any fish that touches it ..quivering,not gonna come back either ,least thats what ive seen...dont bump into the SS with any planned C&R fish...they get scrambled
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on September 29, 2017, 02:06:22 AM
oh and it will stun any fish that touches it ..quivering,not gonna come back either ,least thats what ive seen...dont bump into the SS with any planned C&R fish...they get scrambled

Maybe a new way to subdue a halibut...
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: lightfoot on September 29, 2017, 05:56:23 AM
That doesn't sound too appealing if one was to end up in the water and get caught up in the thing while trying to get back in their kayak.   :smt012
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: trianglelaguna on September 29, 2017, 07:56:53 AM
it doesnt  wrap around ya like a snake lol..its made to not wrap-for diving -freedom 7 model- ..anyway its just a little bump for humans-if it wraps on gear when diving sometimes i dont even notice or get a slight buzz in my filings lol... but fish dont survive it --at least big rockfish dont so far--testing continues :smt003
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Eddie on September 29, 2017, 08:28:45 AM
Pm'd you brah but was meant for the forum, nonetheless, had mine wrapped in my crab pot and it was a hand buzzing minor doozy :smt006 :smt005
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: nudling on September 29, 2017, 09:12:59 AM
I forgot which version I have but it's from 2012 or so. Battery lasts for a long time -- about 7 hours? Try adding a sinker at the end of the line to keep it from skipping on the water as you're moving.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: eelkram on September 29, 2017, 10:28:27 AM
I have the Freedom 7.  It fit through the scupper on my Viking.  I brought it out for SimplyFishing... and I have no idea how long it lasted as I launched at 0630 and it was off by the time I came in at 1300.  :smt102    I used an extra length of fishing line to dummy-cord it to the kayak... but honestly, with the tail through the scupper, I doubt it would pop out in a rollover.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: kayakjack on September 29, 2017, 03:17:11 PM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: DG on September 29, 2017, 03:40:06 PM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.
Yeah but you never saw the GWS that it scared off.  That’s how you know it’s working. 
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on September 29, 2017, 03:53:59 PM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.

Interesting, but doesn't really address the issue as to whether the shark shield will deter an attack. The most relevant info for kayakers is summarized here:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7UXDoV3oLzw
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: trianglelaguna on October 01, 2017, 08:15:24 PM
mine went off today at about 6-7 hrs..it will beep for few minutes and blink green while doing that to let the user know--its time to freestlye or go home
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Eddie on October 01, 2017, 08:27:51 PM
mine went off today at about 6-7 hrs..it will beep for few minutes and blink green while doing that to let the user know--its time to freestlye or go home
What's the fishing report? :smt006, mine goes about 6 hours
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on October 02, 2017, 06:41:58 AM
... mine goes about 6 hours

Mine lasts exactly 5 hours and 45 minutes, like clockwork. It's 4 or 5 years old and has held up well, in spite of being abused (dragged across sand, dropped onto concrete, etc.).
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Wilderness medic on October 02, 2017, 09:47:59 AM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.

Probably because a shark doesn't even feel it until it's within 3' as stated on their site. Enjoy 😀
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Darius (Burong Isda) on October 02, 2017, 11:24:09 AM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.

Probably because a shark doesn't even feel it until it's within 3' as stated on their site. Enjoy 😀
3' is enough to shit myself lol
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Wilderness medic on October 02, 2017, 01:42:36 PM
I used to have nave a freedom 7 that I bought second hand. 5-6 years ago, I was paddling across Tomales bay side by side 5ft apart with another guy who also had his shark-shield in the water. I watched a 4ft leopard shark swim right between us on the surface unfazed.

Probably because a shark doesn't even feel it until it's within 3' as stated on their site. Enjoy 😀
3' is enough to shit myself lol

3' is also enough for it to hit your bow, or bite your head off, without it even feeling a tickle. The more you know. Haha.
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: Scurvy on October 03, 2017, 08:11:12 PM
How important do you think having a shark shield is?  Do you feel that it's worth it?
Everyone is different.  If you know statistics you probably don't need one.  If you know them and are a bit skeptical regarding drivebys and kayak attacks then it is a possible tool.  Worth it?  It does help me with some strange confidence that I'm a percentage safer with it, but not to be oblivious to the hair on my neck and the eerie conditions that some have written about here before a sighting or even a bump or actual experience.  Supposedly, if it's your time to meet your maker then your going home shark shield or not, I put the sticker on my kayak in case the unit is not effective and the shark can read :smt005........look out for those whales and those 400lb sea lions also........ :smt006

Yep, I'll point out that Eddie fishes solo a lot, so the SS seems to be giving him the confidence to go solo.  He's making it work and catching fish, so yes, the SS appears to be very effective.  I've got buddies who are more than happy to go out with me and my SS, otherwise, they put together outings with several people -- each additional yak drops the odds for all the rest of the yaks, especially with noobs.  You could just save yourself a wad of $$ by bringing a bunch of noobs with you, even better if you don't really know them that well.   :smt005 :smt005 :smt044 :smt044
Title: Re: Shark shield question
Post by: NowhereMan on October 03, 2017, 08:39:27 PM
... You could just save yourself a wad of $$ by bringing a bunch of noobs with you, even better if you don't really know them that well.

Human shark shield (HSS).