The Sea Samurai's Message To All On the Shark Sightings

[taggermike]

I've been launching my kayak to fish in LJ for at least 15 years and I can't remember ever seeing some one bleed, gut, or fillet a fish inside the reserve line, let alone out side the surf. What is the 'authority' talking about. Mike

[ratdog]

Originally Posted by taggermike

I've been launching my kayak to fish in LJ for at least 15 years and I can't remember ever seeing some one bleed, gut, or fillet a fish inside the reserve line, let alone out side the surf. What is the 'authority' talking about. Mike

I also many years kayak fishing here and never done it and never seen anyone do it.

[taggermike]

Im not advocating chumming in the surf, but i disagree with Chris 138. Being responsible (or taking responsibilty) and finding a solution to a problem that may not even exist, isn't our fault, and we can not solve is asking for trouble. If sharks continue to be seen in the cove it could be seen that we failed. We are being scape goated already. If yakkers take responsibility for the problem and for finding a solution we are scape goating our selves. Mike

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Too much suck-up for something we probably have noting at all to do with will embolden bureaucrats, busybodies and politicians to make more stupid rules.

Stop pretending we are guilty and will clean up our act in advance of doing anything wrong.

What explains the presence of hammerhead migration where there are no kayaks? Probably the same thing that explains why we are catching so many other kinds of fish so close to shore.

[iethinker]

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Too much suck-up for something we probably have noting at all to do with will embolden bureaucrats, busybodies and politicians to make more stupid rules.

Stop pretending we are guilty and will clean up our act in advance of doing anything wrong.

What explains the presence of hammerhead migration where there are no kayaks? Probably the same thing that explains why we are catching so many other kinds of fish so close to shore.

...yeah...tell it like Donald Trump!

[swinginFish]

Kevin,

Good on the lifeguards (LGs) for coming to us with "the problem."

Albeit poorly defined, i.e., "kayak fishermen's behavior attracts sharks," we should be back slapping LGs for finally noticing the increased shark activity in the area (which kayak fishermen keep bringing to their attention), and offering ourselves as the best group of folks to keep an eye on - and informing LG's about - increased shark activity in the area. What's happening now, unfortunately, is "killing the messenger," and our taking a argumentative position is only strengthening the accusations.

In my less-than-humble-opinion, there's absolutely no need to get defensive about killing/bleeding/stowing fish outside the preserve. This is what we do, period, and this is what we promote amongst ourselves. What needs to be emphasized is that a) there does seem to be more notice of sharks in the area, but then there are a heck of a lot more kayak fishermen eyes on the water these days. That said, the water's not only unusually warm, there's an absolute increase in the local seal population which, while hammerheads have been seen around for years, the increased sightings of GWs is far more concerning. What I'm suggesting here, amigos, is we spin this so that we a) become "deputy LGs" and help protect beach goers from sharks through our ability/willingness to help in early warning, and b) engage LGs in the fight against those who, through misguided sympathies, have protected seals over humans. Got the picture?

Avery

[TekkaYaker]

Harumph!!

[Mr. NiceGuy]

Is it the fault of kayakers that some of us are catching bluefin tuna, dodo's and sleigh rides off the kelp beds this summer?

Blame it on El Nino!

Whales were all around me all day long today, leaping out of the water, and making tail-slaps that sounded like canons.

Kayaks didn't create this situation.

[alanw]

You don't need to prove it, all you need is to have the media report it