That hammerhead - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Kaleb · 08-03-2015, 12:07 AM

Hey guys,

Iwent out Saturday,got skunked like everyone else, I did peddle 3-4miles out just to take a look for birds and paddies.All Ifound was a hammerhead chomping my bait. Was not actually expecting to have an encounter even immediately following others reports of one. But sure enough, he found me. 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?

cell128 · 08-03-2015, 05:15 AM

Went out on my boat Saturday. Saw a 10ft one at the horseshoe kelp. They are definitely interested. And will hang around

HobieScot · 08-03-2015, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaleb

Hey guys,

Iwent out Saturday,got skunked like everyone else, I did peddle 3-4miles out just to take a look for birds and paddies.All Ifound was a hammerhead chomping my bait. Was not actually expecting to have an encounter even immediately following others reports of one. But sure enough, he found me. 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?

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks...s/species3.htm

I just checked and there have been 17 HH attacks internationally. None of them fatal. out of all the Sharks we may encounter on the west coast the one we need to be aware of is the Great White. I remember reports from A few years back where a GW knocked a kayaker off of the kayak. That has happened more than once. But the GW did not attack the person once they were in the water.

There have been a bunch of HH sightings this year already and they have been nothing more than a nuisance from eating trolled baits.

I wouldn't gut and bleed my catch with one nearby! And keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times

HobieScot · 08-03-2015, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cell128

Went out on my boat Saturday. Saw a 10ft one at the horseshoe kelp. They are definitely interested. And will hang around

Beautiful pic cell128

ctfphoto · 08-03-2015, 05:44 AM

What are the Hammerheads going after? 8 to 12 inch mackerel.

I think us humans will be just fine.

taggermike · 08-03-2015, 05:45 AM

Im not sure what species is around; scalloped, or smooth, but Hammerheads that size can be dangerous. But strait out attacking a human is very uncommon. Blood in the water, or worse, a fish struggling at boat side could fire them up to coming at the kayak. I'd say get baits out of the water and just keep moving. If there nothing for them they'll split. Sharks are so tuned in and have such evolved sences they can probably hear/feel the bait pump and smell the stressed baits in the water exiting a bait tank. Mike

Kaleb · 08-03-2015, 05:47 AM

Thanks guys, I figured I would ask, because I have accepted the fact I WILL see them, especially if I go out to try and grab some tuna and dodo.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

Dave Legacy · 08-03-2015, 06:09 AM

Not sure if this is useful, but some guys I know have told me that over the last couple years it's been more productive to fish around/under a hammerhead than to fish a paddy. Evidentially where there be hammers there be fish?

Dave Legacy · 08-03-2015, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taggermike

Im not sure what species is around; scalloped, or smooth, but Hammerheads that size can be dangerous. But strait out attacking a human is very uncommon. Blood in the water, or worse, a fish struggling at boat side could fire them up to coming at the kayak. I'd say get baits out of the water and just keep moving. If there nothing for them they'll split. Sharks are so tuned in and have such evolved sences they can probably hear/feel the bait pump and smell the stressed baits in the water exiting a bait tank. Mike

I do believe our hammerheads are Smooth Hammerheads; second largest species of hammer.

Fishin Phil · 08-03-2015, 06:18 AM

I think he'll be okay......because........he's not a Mako!

taggermike · 08-03-2015, 07:33 AM

Thanks for the ID. If we were seeing great hammerheads around things might be a bit sketchier. But even the greats still, about always, go after hooked fish and not people. But like GWs if they mistake a human for some thing else or get too curious the results are devastating. Mike.

ful-rac · 08-03-2015, 07:43 AM

I wouldn't really worry too much about those hammerheads either...Just don't fall in the water and find out otherwise....

! There have been lots of'em hang'n around not just La Jolla...but everywhere.

If you guys have ever seen a lit-up hammerhead...now that's something to be scared of...

Cbad Mike · 08-03-2015, 08:38 AM

Thanks for the info on this subject.
There are some things that I really don't want to see while on my kayak but when I do, and I'm back on the beach, I'm grateful that I saw what most people never will.
I love this sport!

Kayak_Bernie · 08-03-2015, 08:41 AM

These are most likely Smooth Hammerheads, they can grow very large 15+ feet, so they are indeed dangerous, even an accidental bite to the lower leg could be catastrophic. So when bleeding fish make sure your arms and legs are inside your kayak. Otherwise you'll get the nickname stumpy...

cell128 · 08-03-2015, 10:03 AM

Are they good to eat? I get mixed answers from friends. I bet I can safely catch one from the boat with help

ful-rac · 08-03-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cell128

Are they good to eat? I get mixed answers from friends. I bet I can safely catch one from the boat with help

Try one...im sure it'll make some good tacos...

JohnMckroidJr · 08-03-2015, 10:07 AM

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?

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.

Gunner58 · 08-03-2015, 01:13 PM

Sunday when I was out with my buddy he got video of a 8-10 footer trying to eat his bait tube in LJ

08-03-2015, 12:07 AM	#1
Kaleb Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 96	That hammerhead Hey guys, Iwent out Saturday,got skunked like everyone else, I did peddle 3-4miles out just to take a look for birds and paddies.All Ifound was a hammerhead chomping my bait. Was not actually expecting to have an encounter even immediately following others reports of one. But sure enough, he found me. 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?

08-03-2015, 06:18 AM	#10
Fishin Phil Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 288	Hammerhead I think he'll be okay......because........he's not a Mako! __________________ God, Family, Your Health, You're Fishing.

08-03-2015, 07:43 AM	#12
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	I wouldn't really worry too much about those hammerheads either...Just don't fall in the water and find out otherwise.... ! There have been lots of'em hang'n around not just La Jolla...but everywhere. If you guys have ever seen a lit-up hammerhead...now that's something to be scared of... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

08-03-2015, 08:38 AM	#13
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Thanks for the info on this subject. There are some things that I really don't want to see while on my kayak but when I do, and I'm back on the beach, I'm grateful that I saw what most people never will. I love this sport! __________________ [SIGPIC]

08-03-2015, 08:41 AM	#14
Kayak_Bernie Live Watersports ProStaff Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Rolando Village Posts: 224	These are most likely Smooth Hammerheads, they can grow very large 15+ feet, so they are indeed dangerous, even an accidental bite to the lower leg could be catastrophic. So when bleeding fish make sure your arms and legs are inside your kayak. Otherwise you'll get the nickname stumpy... __________________ Heroes on the Water SoCal Chapter Safety Director

08-03-2015, 05:15 AM	#2
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	Went out on my boat Saturday. Saw a 10ft one at the horseshoe kelp. They are definitely interested. And will hang around

08-03-2015, 05:44 AM	#5
ctfphoto Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 901	What are the Hammerheads going after? 8 to 12 inch mackerel. I think us humans will be just fine.

08-03-2015, 05:45 AM	#6
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Im not sure what species is around; scalloped, or smooth, but Hammerheads that size can be dangerous. But strait out attacking a human is very uncommon. Blood in the water, or worse, a fish struggling at boat side could fire them up to coming at the kayak. I'd say get baits out of the water and just keep moving. If there nothing for them they'll split. Sharks are so tuned in and have such evolved sences they can probably hear/feel the bait pump and smell the stressed baits in the water exiting a bait tank. Mike

08-03-2015, 05:47 AM	#7
Kaleb Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 96	Thanks guys, I figured I would ask, because I have accepted the fact I WILL see them, especially if I go out to try and grab some tuna and dodo. Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

08-03-2015, 06:09 AM	#8
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	Not sure if this is useful, but some guys I know have told me that over the last couple years it's been more productive to fish around/under a hammerhead than to fish a paddy. Evidentially where there be hammers there be fish?

08-03-2015, 07:33 AM	#11
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Thanks for the ID. If we were seeing great hammerheads around things might be a bit sketchier. But even the greats still, about always, go after hooked fish and not people. But like GWs if they mistake a human for some thing else or get too curious the results are devastating. Mike.

08-03-2015, 10:03 AM	#15
cell128 lizard king Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lakewood Posts: 520	Are they good to eat? I get mixed answers from friends. I bet I can safely catch one from the boat with help

08-03-2015, 01:13 PM	#18
Gunner58 Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 81	Sunday when I was out with my buddy he got video of a 8-10 footer trying to eat his bait tube in LJ