Why Are Great White Sharks So Attracted to Kayaks? - Video

Obviously not my video but interesting perspective on GWS and kayak interactions. I thought I spotted a shark-shield at 6:50 but I believe its for the baitwell.

Can't imagine how many times I've had one around and not known it.  I've seen a few swirls, that's for sure.  I've only confirmed seeing two in my 26 years kayak fishing on the ocean.

From what I understand... zero kayakers have been killed by GWS in CA in the last 35 years or more.  A few bites, a few attacks... no casualties.

We are splashing around in the white shark’s yard. Why wouldn’t they take a look? Have you seen drone footage of beaches where swimmers, surfers and sharks are all in and around each other? Its unsettling at least, but shows just how often they can be nearby

I was watching a show on sharks, and the point of the show was that sharks are definitely attracted to the electrical impulses from electric motors, with sharks biting the motors, and other items with electrical impulses.  Apparently, the impulses resemble muscle contractions of prey. 

I live in Alameda and use a trolling motor when fishing around the island but I'm very hesitant to use it in the Ocean in NorCal as I don't want to do anything that will encourage a shark to come check me out. 

I'm really curious if there will be an increase in visits from curious sharks with all the electric motors i've seen on kayaks lately.   

From below looking up they may just see what looks like food and not care what it is. 

From below looking up they may just see what looks like food and not care what it is. 

They “feel” with their mouth …

Seen two in my five years of kayak fishing. One outside of capitola in 90’ of water and one flipped a whole bucket of water on me in 25’ of water at new Brighton beach.
Seen some really interesting marks on my fish finder, can’t wait to get out this Saturday 

From the video:

"There's one type of kayaker that seems to draw more attention than any other. Kayak fishermen."

Dragging a halibut in the water seems like a very bad idea. Not just wrt sharks, but also sea lions...

So, what I gathered from the video is to not just paddle away, but rather spin in circles to disrupt the shark's prey-curious thought process?

I'm really curious if there will be an increase in visits from curious sharks with all the electric motors i've seen on kayaks lately.   

I really doubt it.  Electric motors have been around for quite a while, and there aren't a bunch of (any at all?) attacks happening.

Sharks just want to make a living.  I'm glad I saw one that wasn't aggressive.  I know about a dozen guys who have had the GWS bite their kayak - only one of them got a little cut on his shin.  That's encouraging, especially coming from a background of abalone diving - where you literally feel like bait dangling in the water at times.

Put flotation in your kayak if you're going offshore = my advice.  Otherwise, be ready - it'll be one of your great adventures if you see one!

Oh, and this:  I always wondered why people who would see them wouldn't have photos or videos to show.  Then I saw one, and my first reaction was to totally disregard the importance of a photo or video!     It was all about survival, and when the shark was by someone else (Rob) I thought to start videoing and talking about it.  I was just "lucky" that it circled around and came by me again. 

Probably the funniest part of the entire episode was someone (maybe more than one) saying in the Youtube comments that it was fake!   

We went on to bleed more fish a couple hundred yards away before getting off the water.   

I'm really curious if there will be an increase in visits from curious sharks with all the electric motors i've seen on kayaks lately.   

I really doubt it.  Electric motors have been around for quite a while, and there aren't a bunch of (any at all?) attacks happening.

Sharks just want to make a living.  I'm glad I saw one that wasn't aggressive.  I know about a dozen guys who have had the GWS bite their kayak - only one of them got a little cut on his shin.  That's encouraging, especially coming from a background of abalone diving - where you literally feel like bait dangling in the water at times.

Put flotation in your kayak if you're going offshore = my advice.  Otherwise, be ready - it'll be one of your great adventures if you see one!

Oh, and this:  I always wondered why people who would see them wouldn't have photos or videos to show.  Then I saw one, and my first reaction was to totally disregard the importance of a photo or video!     It was all about survival, and when the shark was by someone else (Rob) I thought to start videoing and talking about it.  I was just "lucky" that it circled around and came by me again. 

Probably the funniest part of the entire episode was someone (maybe more than one) saying in the Youtube comments that it was fake!   

We went on to bleed more fish a couple hundred yards away before getting off the water.   

What the hell gave it those wounds?? Orca?

Seen two in my five years of kayak fishing. One outside of capitola in 90’ of water and one flipped a whole bucket of water on me in 25’ of water at new Brighton beach.
Seen some really interesting marks on my fish finder, can’t wait to get out this Saturday 

I was circled by one while trying to land a halibut. It seems to me that the ones that you see are not the problem...

What the hell gave it those wounds?? Orca?

A more useful result of the Youtube comments:  I learned that the male Great White will bite onto the female's flank when they mate.  She's designed with an extra tough hide to accommodate the behavior.  She was very likely pregnant, making her look as big as a VW Bug.

What the hell gave it those wounds?? Orca?

A more useful result of the Youtube comments:  I learned that the male Great White will bite onto the female's flank when they mate.  She's designed with an extra tough hide to accommodate the behavior.  She was very likely pregnant, making her look as big as a VW Bug.

Maybe sharks checking out fishing kayaks aren’t hungry; they’re just happy to see us!! If they do bite, it may just be their way of showing carnal attraction to a potential love interest. Can’t hold it against a dude for trying to get some action.