Okay I suspect that for most kayak fisherman encounters with sharks don't happen very often but I'm guessing for the kayak fishermen who pursue bass along the CT and MA coastlines sharke become an issue, and after several encounters with large toothy critters at the point last year, I found myself having to give serious thought to what my response was going to be in that regard. Previous encounters over the years we're relatively innocuous and only once was the shark even actively pursuing my fish. Most times they were just coming in for a look, slow lumbering blue sharks usually. Over the last two years however the encounters had become more frequent in my experience and the sharks more often brown sharks, which are more aggressive than blues. I'm fortunate to be acquainted with a prominent marine biologist and had occasion to ask him why in his opinion the number of inshore shark encounters seemed to be increasing. He agreed about the increased encounters, but because he's somewhat well-known and more than somewhat apolitical, I'm not going to name him. Nonetheless, his theory was that the sharks (and whales, which are also coming into increasing contact with humans) were following the menhaden which due to global warming have been coming much closer to shore than they historically have. He's a leader in his field, so I'm going to take his word for it.
Anyway, my personal takeaway from last year's and counters was that there was more harm in altering sound, proven fishing practices in response to a perceived (but as yet unrealized) risk than there was an actual risk of being harmed by one of these sharks. In my case a knee-jerk response resulted in a hook lodged in my knee, so even though I hadn't run into any sharks yet this season I resolved not to change my actions with regard to the fishing until it actually became a problem and not just a mental thing.
Now don't get me wrong, the "mental thing" is very important; I often tell my friends when it comes to deciding whether to fish in certain conditions or not that if you're not having a good time, then don't do it. Sharks, even docile ones, are not "fun" from a kayak unless that's what you're outfitted (and mentally prepared) for.
So when a large 150-175lb shark (looked like a brown) meandered about 4 feet beneath my kayak, it was a little alarming, Unfortunately, when you fish at night, you don't usually know that a shark is interested in your fish until it's just a few feet away from you and by then hopefully it's not coming in hot and you can put some separation between you and the prey. The protocol is first "disconnect." That means I lose an $18 lure, but I keep my hands. I'm very familiar with sharks and have a healthy respect that usually stops short of intimidation. As a mate on a charter boat I'd probably wired over over 200 sharks by the time I was 17. But that was on a big boat. There isn't a lot of time to be selective in your actions when the fish and the shark and your ASS are all next to each other, so priority one is cut the line. That's why there's always a knife within arms length. As a former commercial fisherman, I am never on the water without a well-sharpened blade on my person.
Anyway, here's where I would invite discussion - not with "priority one," because that seems pretty non-negotiable unless you're a shark wisperer or something, but what's priority two; Where do you go from there? Quit for the night? Wait to run into another one? Try to relocate?
Ultimately, I come back to each person's personal comfort level. I'm working to expand mine, not necessarily with sharks, but they're part of it. Bottom line: If you're not going to have fun, then don't do it. I'm trying to move beyond the fearful part and I chose all of the above.
I don't just automatically quit. Sorry, but it's just too early in the season. I do wait for another one, so I can distinguish between a one-off and a pattern. And I do relocate to the extent that I can. Getting a quarter mile away won't guarantee anything, but as with the passing of some more time, it will help to distinguish between a chance encounter and an event that's likely to repeat itself.
I stayed, relocated, and did NOT run into my big friend again. During that time I managed to catch a couple of small 27-28inch bass as well as a couple more blues.
Anyway, my personal takeaway from last year's and counters was that there was more harm in altering sound, proven fishing practices in response to a perceived (but as yet unrealized) risk than there was an actual risk of being harmed by one of these sharks. In my case a knee-jerk response resulted in a hook lodged in my knee, so even though I hadn't run into any sharks yet this season I resolved not to change my actions with regard to the fishing until it actually became a problem and not just a mental thing.
Now don't get me wrong, the "mental thing" is very important; I often tell my friends when it comes to deciding whether to fish in certain conditions or not that if you're not having a good time, then don't do it. Sharks, even docile ones, are not "fun" from a kayak unless that's what you're outfitted (and mentally prepared) for.
So when a large 150-175lb shark (looked like a brown) meandered about 4 feet beneath my kayak, it was a little alarming, Unfortunately, when you fish at night, you don't usually know that a shark is interested in your fish until it's just a few feet away from you and by then hopefully it's not coming in hot and you can put some separation between you and the prey. The protocol is first "disconnect." That means I lose an $18 lure, but I keep my hands. I'm very familiar with sharks and have a healthy respect that usually stops short of intimidation. As a mate on a charter boat I'd probably wired over over 200 sharks by the time I was 17. But that was on a big boat. There isn't a lot of time to be selective in your actions when the fish and the shark and your ASS are all next to each other, so priority one is cut the line. That's why there's always a knife within arms length. As a former commercial fisherman, I am never on the water without a well-sharpened blade on my person.
Anyway, here's where I would invite discussion - not with "priority one," because that seems pretty non-negotiable unless you're a shark wisperer or something, but what's priority two; Where do you go from there? Quit for the night? Wait to run into another one? Try to relocate?
Ultimately, I come back to each person's personal comfort level. I'm working to expand mine, not necessarily with sharks, but they're part of it. Bottom line: If you're not going to have fun, then don't do it. I'm trying to move beyond the fearful part and I chose all of the above.
I don't just automatically quit. Sorry, but it's just too early in the season. I do wait for another one, so I can distinguish between a one-off and a pattern. And I do relocate to the extent that I can. Getting a quarter mile away won't guarantee anything, but as with the passing of some more time, it will help to distinguish between a chance encounter and an event that's likely to repeat itself.
I stayed, relocated, and did NOT run into my big friend again. During that time I managed to catch a couple of small 27-28inch bass as well as a couple more blues.
