well said kev
Fishing out wide with a charter operator, I winched up a 2.5 metre shark , much to the amazement of crew and clients ...all thought it was bottom...the only thing that saved it was the poor maintenance on the gaff which failed to strike + hold >be blowed what they were going to do with it!...suggestion of flake at the local fisho's was mentioned.
Fishing off cape york , around Possession Island , a buddy and I were intrigued at the barrell rolling whalers that were taking our lures , and putting on a huge performance , leaping + rolling over and over.
...MADE me glad I was in a boat , and having no need to bring one aboard.
When 1 larger sized whaler was beaten under the boat , and fatigued in a missile launch position , we were happy to cut the line .
Around here despite all the contractors netting and drumlining the beaches there is still sharks around, it would be great to see this banned to give the protected sharks the white/nurse a chance to recover and other species such as the whalers reduced to only line fishing pressure. The shark fishn would be something to see then, it could turn brisbane bluewater and moreton bay back into the gamefishing mecca it once was, an international tourist bonanza if managed well
Runamuk. My boat is 5 M center consel and on our trips to the reef we encounter all types of sharks tigers mako etc & they all want a free feed of fish.When we hook up on one of these mothers you can have your mates still fishing while you keep the shark occupied for a few hours plus a free tow over your best fishing spot because thats where sharks normally hang out.As far as pulling them on board no chance they thrash and chomp at any thing in sight. So if I were to take one home I would have to say I'd tow it by the tail back to the boat ramp. But I don't see the point.
Regards BladeRunner
I'm a bit late on this thread but I think that all those who have posted have a valid point. I think that "each to his own" should hold sway as long as the fish isn't killed to simply be dumped later.
An old guy once told me that when he was younger, he had felt *very* guilty about once killing a big shark to simply get a photo. He told me that as he is now a lot older and crippled with athritis and considering that he never did much with his life, that despite his guilt, that photo is one of his most treasured posessions. It reminded him of his acheivement at fishing and that it gave him something to show his old buddies and to talk over.
Who's to say what is "precious" to another? Some of us would be simply happy with the thought of the catch, others may *need* that tangible image to hold onto. I for one will not judge others on something like this.
I used to target shark in the bay until I got enough balls to take the kids offshore and now a whole new world has opened up to me.
I aimed for shark primarily because I knew that I *could* catch 'em nearly every trip and because the kids would get a kick out of it, and because they all like flake.
I never take "one for the pot" over 5 foot because of the risk of mercury, although the DPI informed me that I would have to eat a hell of a lot of it for a long time for there to be any risk.
I agree with mackmauler though, that actually *boating* 'em is the ultimate challenge.
I think that we all have to be aware that there may be a danger that some conservation issues may end up the way of political correctness whereby some institutions and individuals go completely overboard on the issue. My favourite shoes are nigger brown, and I *will* continue to use that word :-)
It's a fine line we all balance :-)
cheers
kev
Getting a photo of a catch is fine , but how about just a snap of it over the boats side before releasing. You still have your happy snap to show your "old buddies".
Cheers - Paul
LOL, phewy unless your mad, how do you intend to get into the picture with your new found friend?
Mack, I'm sure the average person (with a bit of courage and guts) could get a shot from their buddie with a couple feet between them and their catch before cutting the line (or metal wire if thats your preferred way)
Cheers - Paul
As I said, "getting it *into* the boat is the ultimate challenge. If you haven't boated it, have you really "conquered" it? Yes, it's pretty scary having something like a shark thrashing around the boat, but the adrenelin rush for some, when this happens, can't be denied.Originally Posted by phewy
I always try to tail 'em, and if they aren't played out enough to come quietly, then I let 'em go at the side of the boat. I don't consider myself to have caught 'em if I have to do this though. I gaff the smaller ones that I'm taking for the pot.
The thrill (for me) of attempting to lift a fish like this by hand, has yet to be equalled and I've only managed it on 4 occasions.
cheers
kev
Each to their own I suppose. But I think if you get it to the side of the boat, take a pic of it if needed and release it, it is officialy called caught! (and importantly RELEASED). And could you realy get an adrenalin rush from having a fish pulled from its enviroment gasping for its life "thrashing" around on the floor out of its senses!!
Cheers - Paul
One trick I have learned over the years is to laso them around the head before going for the tailrope - much easier to achieve and they can go doggo once the weight comes on their head. Just create a laso that can slide down the leader and get it over their snout to about the gills once boat side and heave on that. Then get your tailrope on. This is for the smaller Whalers etc. we get here in Qld. Not sure about 400# Tigers etc.
From what I have seen on videos and pictures mostly they seem to sink flyers into them then everyone lies on the ground hanging onto the rope off the flyer and the thrashing fish whilst trying to cleat off as close as possible. Aren't you then suppossed to tailrope and drag them backwards to suffocate them? Have seen pictures where they take block and tackle out that connects to the front of the cabin or wherever to winch them onboard - whether over the transom or gunnels. One Rob Paxevanos show the boat had a rollered rail on the transom to achieve this easier. Other guys I have spoken to use mats or something draped over the gunnels to help them slide them in. We have all probably heard the urban myth or it may be fact about the NSW shark trailerboats that pull out the bungs to sink the transom a bit so that the boat sits lower to assist getting the sharks in then pumping the water out.
Dunno about sharks. but some marlin boats have a door at the rear in the transom, below the gunwale. They attach a rope to the anchor winch, through the cabin, the rear door, and out to the catch. then just winch it in.
I must state I understand this is only done now adays with fish that they believe are world record. Well thats what the guy on "Billfish" the other day said
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we use a hydraulic winch and block and tackle..
but i couldnt imagine doing it on a smaller boat .that would be to much like work. And no we dont generally target large sharks , the setup is mainly for other types of fishing.
Yep!.........and getting it *back* into the water is just as thrilling.Originally Posted by phewy
chhers
kev
Kingtin
You call that a shark Mate out where I go you can catch a mako on line and take photos as it leaps out of the water doin barral rolls trying to break free.That old shovel couldn't hert a fly.We also get big tiger sharks.No way I would pull one of them on board. [smiley=angel.gif]
Next time you onto a shark pull along side your boat and roll it onto its back you might find it easyer to tame. [smiley=bandana.gif]