Baittube painting and the hammerhead - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

isghj · 09-17-2015, 12:55 PM

Summary: Are there any local brightly colored poisonous fish that hammerheads won't attack?

I'm still new to kayak fishing, but got sick of not being able to keep more than one + cut bait so I made a bait tube out of ABS.

Last monday I took it out for the first time and it worked fine, only three green macs but two of them stayed happy. The large one was enemic, I think it's because the black ABS gets hot in the sun so I want to paint it white or something to keep it cooler and help me see it against the dark blue water.

Thing is, I ran into the hammerhead monday, he didn't bother my kayak but was playing with my bait tube (still had one fish when he showed up). I panicked and emptied that fish out so that he would go away for fear that he would yank hard on the baittube that I didn't think I could disconnect from my kayak fast enough, thought he could roll me out of my kayak if he's as strong as I think he is, no fishing pole or drag to help if I connect it to an eyelet.

He left after I gave up my mac, but I'm concerned about painting the tube now. There's a myth that sharks are more willing to attack white and yellow colored objects. I was curious if there's like a blue ringed octopus or something that I could mimic in color when I paint my tube, something that is still brightly colored but looks poisonous or toxic.

Heat isn't the only reason I want to paint, my drilling holes in the tube was a rough job (limited time) and too many sharp plastic burs remain that I'm having trouble sanding/filing down, I thought the paint might soften their edges as well, so that I don't rough up the fish as much.

Hammerhead was found in +150ft water north north west of the corner La jolla kelp, in case that interests anyone.

PS I didn't tell the media, there's no footage, the shark was nowhere near the beach, he didn't even bite the tube (at least he left no marks), ect

Dave Legacy · 09-17-2015, 01:09 PM

The shark is most likely attracted to the erratic pulses emitted by the distressed bait in your tube, as well as their scent, more than anything else. Once the shark is interested it's probably not going to care what color the tube is.

Murray · 09-17-2015, 01:16 PM

I made up an inexpensive bait tank. Tupperware from walmart, 6v pump, batteries plus 6 volt battery. Go round on the bait tank if you can.

YakDout · 09-17-2015, 03:14 PM

Studies have shown hammerheads to not be cannibalistic, therefor I would paint the bait tube in hammerhead pattern.

isghj · 09-17-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

The shark is most likely attracted to the erratic pulses emitted by the distressed bait in your tube, as well as their scent, more than anything else. Once the shark is interested it's probably not going to care what color the tube is.

Is scent really that strong of a trigger? Could I really just take a wooden log smear it with some fish smell goup and catch fish?

Maybe I should consider buying some of that scent jelly after all, if I can find some for under $15 a tube ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Anything that floats next to kayak, or in the water should have stretch rope attached to it.

That way you will have time to disconnect or cut the line.

Yep, Already on the list of modifications to use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Unibit step drill bits in ½” size work great for plastic and leaves clean edge for minimum sanding.

I have a small uni but I'm not sure it would help. Maybe the pipe segment I bought was just too fresh but this ABS is waaaaay softer than the PVC I'm used it, it doesn't want to cut it wants to bend. Been leaving it in the sun with hopes that it dries out a bit before I take another swing at filing it down some more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Most paint won't last long, unless you use an expensive marine grade.

You're probably right but I'm not too concerned, I'll probably end up buying too much paint so I can just add more as needed. This isn't a car, it's a $15 DIY special, and I'm already redesigning a version 2.0 in my head anyway, so this might end up being experimental for the most part anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by YakDout

Studies have shown hammerheads to not be cannibalistic, therefor I would paint the bait tube in hammerhead pattern.

I was hoping for something lighter than light brown, but It's worth considering if I can find a color close enough, good idea.

Croaker Dave · 09-17-2015, 06:03 PM

Great. You just trained a hammerhead to bump our bait tubes to get a free snack.

Dave Legacy · 09-20-2015, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isghj

Is scent really that strong of a trigger? Could I really just take a wooden log smear it with some fish smell goup and catch fish?

How do you suppose the shark finds you in the first place? Do you think it's using it's excellent eyesight to spot you in that big ocean?

Mahigeer · 09-17-2015, 03:13 PM

Anything that floats next to kayak, or in the water should have stretch rope attached to it.

That way you will have time to disconnect or cut the line.

Unibit step drill bits in ½” size work great for plastic and leaves clean edge for minimum sanding.

Most paint won't last long, unless you use an expensive marine grade.

09-17-2015, 12:55 PM	#1
isghj Junior Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 18	Baittube painting and the hammerhead Summary: Are there any local brightly colored poisonous fish that hammerheads won't attack? I'm still new to kayak fishing, but got sick of not being able to keep more than one + cut bait so I made a bait tube out of ABS. Last monday I took it out for the first time and it worked fine, only three green macs but two of them stayed happy. The large one was enemic, I think it's because the black ABS gets hot in the sun so I want to paint it white or something to keep it cooler and help me see it against the dark blue water. Thing is, I ran into the hammerhead monday, he didn't bother my kayak but was playing with my bait tube (still had one fish when he showed up). I panicked and emptied that fish out so that he would go away for fear that he would yank hard on the baittube that I didn't think I could disconnect from my kayak fast enough, thought he could roll me out of my kayak if he's as strong as I think he is, no fishing pole or drag to help if I connect it to an eyelet. He left after I gave up my mac, but I'm concerned about painting the tube now. There's a myth that sharks are more willing to attack white and yellow colored objects. I was curious if there's like a blue ringed octopus or something that I could mimic in color when I paint my tube, something that is still brightly colored but looks poisonous or toxic. Heat isn't the only reason I want to paint, my drilling holes in the tube was a rough job (limited time) and too many sharp plastic burs remain that I'm having trouble sanding/filing down, I thought the paint might soften their edges as well, so that I don't rough up the fish as much. Hammerhead was found in +150ft water north north west of the corner La jolla kelp, in case that interests anyone. PS I didn't tell the media, there's no footage, the shark was nowhere near the beach, he didn't even bite the tube (at least he left no marks), ect

09-17-2015, 01:09 PM	#2
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	The shark is most likely attracted to the erratic pulses emitted by the distressed bait in your tube, as well as their scent, more than anything else. Once the shark is interested it's probably not going to care what color the tube is.

09-17-2015, 01:16 PM	#3
Murray Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Vista Posts: 326	I made up an inexpensive bait tank. Tupperware from walmart, 6v pump, batteries plus 6 volt battery. Go round on the bait tank if you can.

09-17-2015, 03:14 PM	#4
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Studies have shown hammerheads to not be cannibalistic, therefor I would paint the bait tube in hammerhead pattern.

09-17-2015, 06:03 PM	#6
Croaker Dave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: OC Posts: 171	Great. You just trained a hammerhead to bump our bait tubes to get a free snack.

09-17-2015, 03:13 PM	#8
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,863	Anything that floats next to kayak, or in the water should have stretch rope attached to it. That way you will have time to disconnect or cut the line. Unibit step drill bits in ½” size work great for plastic and leaves clean edge for minimum sanding. Most paint won't last long, unless you use an expensive marine grade.