Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaleb
Hey guys,
Just curious as to the level of real danger a hammerhead presents?What's the best thing to do in that situation? Keep trolling baits? Immediately leave ? Have any kayakers died to shark attack?
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I have been followed by big hammerheads a few times, and ocassionally catch the smaller ones. There is a youtube video where a hammerhead followed some kayakers, smelled the blood of the bonita they had been catching and took a bite (leaving teeth marks) on one of the kayaks before swimming off. Generally I don't consider them to be a threat, if one had concerns, they might consider a bang stick for protection. Boaters have come up to me yelling about the following shark fin...best thing to do is remain calm and keep in mind that the taxman is going to want a piece if you hook a fish. These sharks are not as dumb as some may think. I have thrown big baits in front of the bigger hammer heads, and they see the cable and won't touch the bait, but instead wait for me to bring a fish up on my lighter lines so they can get an easy meal. If you see one coming for your fish, put your reel in freespool and unless your fish has the bends, it will normally outrun the shark, then reel asap to get your fish in before the shark makes another pass. When you pull your fish away from a hammerhead after it has had a bite, It might be angry and nudge your kayak a few times before swimming off.