GWS Attack @ Shelter Cove - 5/25/20

Glad everyone there are ok.  Thanks for the report Eric.

It's not ideal to be swamped, but it's different than what people think.  R&D is a good thing to do.

You’re right, I took mine out due to the slime, funk and hassle of them all over the place in the hull. I’m gonna replace them, but vacuum seal them together food-saver style like other folks here have done.

Statistically, (yeah, I know) shark encounters occur mostly in shallow water. I’m thinking about Dominic’s nearshore experience as an example.

It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve surfed, swam, dove, been a lifeguard or whatever. You’ll want to be prepared, dress for immersion, wear a PFD.

Wouldnt vacuuming them just defeat the purpose? You would just squish them so that they're as dense as possible and no longer displace water, providing bouyancy. You want max volume of displacement so minimal compression. Pool noodles are already closed cell foam, they shouldnt need additional sealing unless you're trying to make this a 10 year solution

Wouldnt vacuuming them just defeat the purpose?

Nope.  They didn't get smashed at all, and they've been in there for 10 years.  The seal-a-meal material is bound to get little holes in it, but the contents are still protected from dirt and slime.

Maybe I'll go pull them out and inspect the job after a decade of use and document that. 

Wouldnt vacuuming them just defeat the purpose?

Nope.  They didn't get smashed at all, and they've been in there for 10 years.  The seal-a-meal material is bound to get little holes in it, but the contents are still protected from dirt and slime.

Maybe I'll go pull them out and inspect the job after a decade of use and document that.

ah. My food saver compresses the crap out of anything I put in it, so I imagined a noodle pancake result lol

ah. My food saver compresses the crap out of anything I put in it, so I imagined a noodle pancake result lol

Mine might be a Food-Saver too - not sure.  But there's the "moist" setting that will stop sucking sooner, and I think there's a manual seal option - I may have used that to avoid smushing everything.  10 years ago, so...   

Will space saver bags work?

I was hiking on Mori point yesterday and could see a 8/9 foot GWS swimming close to shore from up above.  They are out there!

Eric,
Great safety and testing video! I learned from you ten years ago to fill my hull with noodles! When I bought Heather her kayak we filled it with noodles as well. Thinking I'm going to cram more in!!

I have one simple question. How large of a gun would you need to tame a shark in an unprovoked attack? 357?

I have one simple question. How large of a gun would you need to tame a shark in an unprovoked attack? 357?

I'd go straight to depth charges.  Can't be too careful.

I have one simple question. How large of a gun would you need to tame a shark in an unprovoked attack? 357?

I'd go straight to depth charges.  Can't be too careful.

Shark Repellant

I have one simple question. How large of a gun would you need to tame a shark in an unprovoked attack? 357?

Looks like an air tank and M1 Garand (30-06?) is the answer.

After my encounter 2 weeks ago at Pacific Grove, 20' away from a GWS, the Shark Shield was an easy decision. I'm not in the water without it and it provides peace of mind allowing to focus on fishing.

Good to know some other folks will be down there on Thursday. I was looking at the forecast and was thinking of giving it a go.
I'll be on 69

- Max

Max - Channel 69 is useful if there's a tournament, but I advise you to use the local channel - 68 - at all other times.  I keep 68/local channel on during tournies too.  You don't want to miss the local chatter about the bite, the wind, a shark...etc., and you don't want to miss if a boater is talking to you or about the kayakers in general.

See you down there.

This is really important to remember!!   Set your hand held VHF default to "scan," and know the local angler channel. 

Great point!

Bushy

After my encounter 2 weeks ago at Pacific Grove, 20' away from a GWS, the Shark Shield was an easy decision. I'm not in the water without it and it provides peace of mind allowing to focus on fishing.

But the ones that get you torpedo you from the depths...doubt the SS will prevent that, but thats another discussion.