Bought a shark shield

I'm still studying---seems like money should not be a factor in any safety item to a certain extent ---

If they work to lessen even 25% of the types of encounters then?

if I see a close by deal I'll get one at least for my wifes kayak

Today show is showing a shark segment special that will run this morning -right now on their 7 a.m show

I think it helps. The research is there. Sure as fuck cant hurt.

+1

The only independent scientific study that I'm aware of is here:

https://www.sharkshield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Effects-of-an-Electric-Field-on-White-Sharks.pdf

Overall, the results are mixed. But, by far the most impressive results are for a towed "dynamic decoy", and it seems to me that's the most relevant for us kayakers. That info is in Table 4, if you want to take a look.

Our kayaks protect us really well from the initial attack unlike surf boards. It's what happens after the initial attack that you have to worry about and where the SS might save your life.

+1

I tried one out for the first time last weekend. Just clipped it to the bungies right in front of the seat and ran the lead through a scupper. I didn't notice any additional drag while paddling, and the unit held a charge for the 3 hours I was out. I did not see any noticeable reactions from the lings I caught.  No shark interactions, so I guess it worked 

The SS is pretty far down the list after sturdy plastic, a safety buddy, and basic safety gear, but I'll add it to the arsenal as it isn't a bulky piece of gear, and I'll take whatever % of shark interactions the SS might deter and bank it.

When we went to the presentation at Kayak Connection, they had some impressive numbers to throw around.  The SS is highly used by people surfing and diving in Australia, and even by the U.S. Government.  To date, no one with a SS has been attacked have they?  There is at least *some* reassurance that the product works.  And like Craig said, money shouldn't be a factor in safety and I'll add peace of mind. If it makes you feel better, then get it.  I'd fish with ya if you have one. 

I watch the PTTS (Prof. Tarpon Tournament Series) quite a bit on tv from Boca G., FL.  Sharks are a HUGE problem with Trapon & Tarpon Tournaments.  Saw one of the boats that had one deployed over the side of the boat & they were interviewing the captain while they were fishing a fish during the tourney.  They had a GOOD fight on their rod until they got it boat side to see it was a shark on the line 

I don't discredit the effectiveness of their unit at all based on that because they WERE using bait & it was an active feed so ....  May explain why the shark didn't want to come boatside to be released though 

I'm curious, does the SS mess with a fish finder's operation? I know that someone else's ff can disrupt mine if it's in close proximity.

I'm curious, does the SS mess with a fish finder's operation? I know that someone else's ff can disrupt mine if it's in close proximity.

No ... not that I am aware of.  The SS is an electricu pulse vs. a FF which is a soundwave.  The only reason anothers FF would mess yours is if you are near/next to each other & running on the same frequency.  I need to (purposefully) try that sometime to see.  I've only had it happen once to me during Salmon season in the middle of a fleet.

I also wonder if the electrical output will mess with you while salmon fishing. i know that people who use DR cable on a boat have to sometimes buy "the black box" to tune what electrical pulses are going down the DR cable. i'm hoping that because most of use braid and a snubber that it wont be transmitted down the DR line.

I'm curious, does the SS mess with a fish finder's operation? I know that someone else's ff can disrupt mine if it's in close proximity.

I wondered this as well, but had no problems running my little humminbird B&W unit.

I don't really know why wilderness medic has such a problem with these, but this quote from the last discussion might illuminate the point.

I thought some dude was already hit wearing these...

People still die with seatbelts on sometimes. Doesn't mean seat belts don't work.

Seat belts don't cost an extra $600 and an auto accident is a taaaad bit more common than a shark attack. Oh uh, and they've been proven on many, many levels of various tests. I am not convinced that the shark shield is even going to help stop a white, but if you are go for it...

Did you read any of the Australian study?  What part were you unimpressed with?  It did conclude with saying more study is warranted but the results were impressive on the pinniped decoy study, which is the one I'm sure everyone here cares about.

And seat belts for my pickup run $400, it's not like they are free or anything. My point being that just because a shark might have hit someone using a shark shield doesn't mean that shark shields don't deter sharks. In much the same way that seatbelts deter Death, although he may still come calling.

I don't know about yours, but my wetsuit didn't come with a shark shield. My vehicle however did, I didn't have to spend hundreds extra on it.

For me, with any type of hunting, part of the thrill and enjoyment is being in nature, with the flow of the food chain. If I could spend hundreds on a magic electrical device that stopped mountain lions, rattlesnakes, and any other "dangerous" animal from attacking me, I wouldn't... Not on land, not on water. So regardless of it's possible deterrence, there's that.

If a white is can swim at around 25mph and is hunting on sight, how is something that they can only sense within 3 feet going to stop it? If i'm within 3 feet of a shark and it's not chomping me already, I don't think it's going to.

Personal opinion and preference, didn't mean it to come off as rude or confrontational, just not for me.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=63773.msg717346#msg717346

I also wonder if the electrical output will mess with you while salmon fishing. i know that people who use DR cable on a boat have to sometimes buy "the black box" to tune what electrical pulses are going down the DR cable. i'm hoping that because most of use braid and a snubber that it wont be transmitted down the DR line.

Not, myself, knowing what the electrical output (pos or neg & voltage) is of the SS, I doubt that they are on the same pos, low voltage as the black box.  Merely an assumption though.  Would be good to know the true answer.

I was anti-sharkshield for about 5yrs (although "anti" is the wrong word here; more like skeptical). I thought it was too expensive & unproven technology.
Then some of my friends started using the SS. People whom I consider intelligent.
Since then, in the last 5 or 6yrs, I've been conducting my own personal research.
Here's the stats:
*I personally know 5 people who have been attacked by GWS while kayak fishing (and 1 guy who was surfing). None of them were using a SS.
*I know 8 people who actively use the SS. None of them have been attacked by a GWS. 
I plan to get one eventually.

I will wear mine 24/7 and see if it helps with the u.f.o's that come at night sometimes

But aliens don't have ampullae of lorenzini...and they generally approach at exceedingly quick speeds, so it probably won't prevent them from performing a quick missile probe. But it may stop one of the slower, more curious probers.