Spearing near sharks

Ah! Ok. No problem.

I thought you edited my original post.

No problemo.

Quote from fishingdude

So maybe smell wasn't the right term, but sense would be more appropriate.

And this is where you're wrong....and was unable to answer the question.I helped ya.

They do smell fear in the prescence of a hormone...adrenaline. So sheathe your claws ,kitten.

Quote from Aaron Proffitt

And this is where you're wrong....and was unable to answer the question.I helped ya.

They do smell fear in the prescence of a hormone...adrenaline. So sheathe your claws ,kitten.

Do you think the analogy of a dog to a bomb/game applies in the water too? Its much easier for hormones to diffuse throughout the air than the water.

Dont mean any disrespect, but if you're saying that i'm googling my answers, i'm gonna snap back. No harm no foul so far. :thumbsup2:

the propagation of a "scent" particle through water is directly related to it's concentration in the water...same as air...it is still fluid dynamics.

as far as being "smelled" the olfactory nerve that we use has a similar cousin in marine animals so they can actually smell as they allow water to pass their gills

as for the association of the "smell" and fear, I assume it is more the elevated heart rate, the body language and the actions, but I am sure that they detect it and it makes some difference.

I would have to say it is mostly your behavior and body posturing. I know that when I first started diving sharks would scare the hell out of me and I would act differently for sure, even made the mistake of heading for the boat once and was chased by a good size black tip (hey I was like 15). They more often than not would stay around or come in closer; even had to cancel a few dives because of aggressive sharks. But now if a shark is acting aggressive or seems it may come in for an opportunistic meal many times rather than wait for them to come in I swim at them quickly with spear at the ready. It may take a few charges but they always swim off. Think of how big you look with long fins and a spear gun in hand. I do not however do this if they are just in the area passing through; No sense in getting them defensive if they are just observing. But even with that, I still want to get a PH or two, because if the shark decides he doesn't want to leave or wants your fish, he wins. I think me spearing the fish while a shark was present would depend on how many there are, and how they are acting. You have to adjust for the situation and develop an instinct on when it is safe or not to fire. For instance, a few weeks ago in the gulf we had to pass no some nice grouper out deep because there were like half a dozen 5'-6' sharks lingering close, just waiting for a chance; and a frenzy would suck to be stuck in at 100'. But I have also speared with sharks near by and had no issues. you have to read the situation. Perhaps I am wrong, just my 2c.

And I forget who mentioned the Bison, but I was charged by a big bull Bison and a damn huge Bull moose in the Grand Tetons a few years back (same weekend). That is a frightening animal to have baring down on you. Thank god for the jeep.

Dan, do you have the 7.5 mm ones...i keep on saying i am gonna get one and forgetting

Quote from monster slayer

just read any knowledgable spearfishing manual, including Carlos Eyles and Terry Maas, and they clearly state. " Abandon area, after the first shark shows up" That´s directly from BWH´s. Terry has dived with the most dangerous animals known to man, but he knew that a lot of people with different backgrounds were going to read his book.

For the record... he lied....;);) Most tuna trips come complete with sharks. In French poly they go hand and hand with Doggies and any Yellowfin tuna. Once in a while we lose a fish, it's part of the hunt.

30 years ago we had blue sharks with the off shore kelp paddy fish, some times a nice blue would come up and scratch his back on the swim step I was standing on. Once I would step in they would bolt before very slowly coming back. I have never lost a fish to a shark in Cal,. Tahiti and New Zealand yes, I do leave the water if I see a Tiger or White, big mako, or a really pissed off Bull
Cheers, Don

Quote from Dan

Does adrenaline indicate fear? Isn't adrenaline more indicative of excitement in general?

Either way it's a win for the shark as excitement in nature is usually doom for something.Mating as an aside.

And it's all good ,Ben.

EDIT...apparently koi do produce adrenaline, and it effects koi pond quality.
http://aquariumssaltwater.info…at-are-completely-natural

Quote from Don Paul

or a really pissed off Bull
Cheers, Don

Hey Don, what behavior does a pissed off bull display ? I think I would know it if I saw it....just wanting your impression.

Quote

I do leave the water if I see a Tiger or White, big mako, or a really pissed off Bull

nice...thats what an intelligent,expirienced spearo would do in that case...:thumbsup2:...

The only experience that I had with a bull was acouple of years back in a shallow reef off Fajardo. I had just missed a shot on a fish and I didn't noticed the shark was nearby until he came straight at me and as I was putting the unloaded gun between us he turned away in the last second. I tought I was going to get bit and needless to say I left the area. Even that I had dived near sharks before (saw a tiger and another bull in Texas and a couple of reef sharks here) I guess I ''over reacted'' (please read; got scared sh*tless) and that scared the shark away.

Quote from Aaron Proffitt

Hey Don, what behavior does a pissed off bull display ? I think I would know it if I saw it....just wanting your impression.

They turn straight back at you as you try to get the PPD installed on the shaft.:D
He manged to get a light lip lock on my dinner.

I only have killed 1 bull in french poly...more later.
Cheers, Don

Quote from Don Paul

For the record... he lied....;);)

That´s the point brother, you don´t tell to the general public certain medicine, law enforcement or military regular practices , cause it would certainly give a bad name to the job to the general public. Spearfishing is a satanized activity, spearing near sharks certainly is a controversial subject for the general public. That´s the reason Terry lied.

Spearos do not realize how dangerous is this activity, cause they are used to it. But is the most dangerous xtreme sport by far, even more than alpinism or car racing. Or How many alpinists compared to spearos and freedivers die annually? All of us had a previous "close call" or even more. We need to make it safer and make it easier for the general public too. That was my point to call irresponsible to film that and open it as advertising as a regular activity without an explanaition or previous concept, it gives spearos an irresponsible, wild cowboy image to the common bystanders, as in " look those crazy killers, involved in that bloody sport" While rod and reel is regarded as safe and humane. If they promote theri activity showing to the general public how they club to death a marlin, then they would be regarder as brutal. And clubing to death marlins are a common practice. That´s my point.

Regards

For the record, I´m refering to the spearfishing products advertising that was the cause of this controversy, not other films of sharks and spearfishing .

I think that reality is that we each must judge the situation. I agree with Monster that it should not be taken lightly. I deleted my post/video for that reason.