there be sharks in the water

[joeksr]

There are a few threads on Sharkin so I figured I'd take a break from twistin
220" wire and post this for all those who are about to go where they have never gone before.

WARNING.
Sharks are not like Tuna, Marlin or any other fish in the sea. Other fish can hurt you if handled improperly but not generally on purpose. A shark WANTS to bite you. Your dealing with one of the top predators in the sea and you have pissed him off. When handling one of these be vigilant at boatside and when you bring it aboard.

Jumping in the boat.
A Mako can and sometime does jump into the boat.
(If he's positioned head up and tail down, turn him) One swipe of his tail and he's in your lap. That fllying gaff you planted will pivot him right aboard.

A dead Mako can still bite you.
I dont know what drives a mako's muscles but they keep working after the shark is dead. I knew a capt. that went sharking with his family and caught a small mako. Hung it on the side of the boat for a few hours then gutted it before bringing it on board. That shark reached around and bit someone. I was steaking a shark one day and (I swear) the steaks were pulsing like a heart beat on the cleaning table)

Keep your hands in the boat.
If you have a lot of blue sharks (or any other ) in the slick behind the boat,
It may not be a good time to reach down to shake the chum bucket.

I like beer.
I really enjoy having a couple of beers. lf your shark fishing wait till your back at the dock. Any Dulling of the senses when dealing with these guys can be harmfull to your health.

When I'm bringing a shark into the boat I put a loop of line over his head.
One side of the loop behind a pec and the other in front then attach the line to a stern cleat. When we roll him aboard his head is secure.
Already has a tail rope attached. Secure it to a cleat in case he gets frisky.

I aint scared of em but I sure do respect em.

Having issued my warning all I can say is
THERES NOTHING LIKE SEEING A 200# + MAKO CLEAR THE WATER.
Talk about an adrenaline rush.
Hook em up but be carefull how you handle a pissed off Mako.

Joe

[35viking]

Very nice write up its all very true.

[captkev1]

On the smaller ones guys take a five gallon bucket and put it over the fishes head and tie it to the fins. But be careful putting the bucket on

[joeksr]

On the smaller ones guys take a five gallon bucket and put it over the fishes head and tie it to the fins. But be careful putting the bucket on

That'll work, but remember, a "small" mako has a set of teeth that would give a german shepard an insecurity complex.

[Deep C]

The design of the mako is such that the bucket even works on the slobs. The problem isn't just putting it on... Its taking it back off!

I think thats why I like makos so much. They not only can bite back , they want to. How sharp are they? My mate and I have our "thing" to a science. I do the leader work. I wear a white tee shirt. My mate wears blue or grey depending on the cloud cover. That fish sees the white and locks eyes with me. Each of us staring through the others very soul. Seldom is it any tug of war on that leader. He sees me and wants to get closer for a tatse. I basically just feed the wind on to the angler. When I get that section of wire. The mako is looking to do me harm. He doesn't see it comming. The patented Capt Paulie Roll
I pul back and lay the wire between two of its right side teeth and roll her on her side. Her eye comes off mine and is focused on my glove. She doesnt see my mate comming or the 8" flyer he's laying over her. She knows only when it hits her in the third gill. She forgets about me and rolls upright. She surges forward but our flyer line is so short she can't get momentum. The added kick from her own self runs the flyer up and through her spine. She's toast. The bullets are a formality. Enough to quiet her while the tail line is appled.
Shes part of the furniture but never done. Her fillets twitch and pulse in the cooler. Her severed head opens the moth and slams shut when something touches it. If someone wants the jaws I show them how to disconnect from the back side so they don't get bit. I don't cut em out myself any more. Even knowing what I'm doing I pack too many scars for them having the last word...

[captkev1]

Never mind there speed, burst of up to 40 to 60 mph.

[Proheat]

Very Good Write Up!!!
All good points!!

Sharking is one of my favorites offshore!!............I can't wait for the 2008 season!!

[joeksr]

The design of the mako is such that the bucket even works on the slobs. The problem isn't just putting it on... Its taking it back off!

I think thats why I like makos so much. They not only can bite back , they want to. How sharp are they? My mate and I have our "thing" to a science. I do the leader work. I wear a white tee shirt. My mate wears blue or grey depending on the cloud cover. That fish sees the white and locks eyes with me. Each of us staring through the others very soul. Seldom is it any tug of war on that leader. He sees me and wants to get closer for a tatse. I basically just feed the wind on to the angler. When I get that section of wire. The mako is looking to do me harm. He doesn't see it comming. The patented Capt Paulie Roll
I pul back and lay the wire between two of its right side teeth and roll her on her side. Her eye comes off mine and is focused on my glove. She doesnt see my mate comming or the 8" flyer he's laying over her. She knows only when it hits her in the third gill. She forgets about me and rolls upright. She surges forward but our flyer line is so short she can't get momentum. The added kick from her own self runs the flyer up and through her spine. She's toast. The bullets are a formality. Enough to quiet her while the tail line is appled.
Shes part of the furniture but never done. Her fillets twitch and pulse in the cooler. Her severed head opens the moth and slams shut when something touches it. If someone wants the jaws I show them how to disconnect from the back side so they don't get bit. I don't cut em out myself any more. Even knowing what I'm doing I pack too many scars for them having the last word...

Deep, you are the man. You must have taken writing lessons. You wax poetic.
I've always read gaffing the tail was the way to go but didn't agree. To slim a target and to hard to hold. I always tried for a shoulder but after reading you posts It will be gill shots from now on. And they are sharp. Cleaned a set of jaws once and must have suffered a thousand cuts.

What do you think of this.
The Oc Md shark tournament wants you to wear an arm band (different colors for different days) and requires a picture of the wire man holding the wire (with the proper colored arm band on ), with the angler and shark in the picture for releases. I dont go for releases cause I dont like sticking my arm out above a mako with a green or yellow arm band to give him a taget. Talk about a prescription for disaster.

Joe

[captkev1]

Anybody got a mako horror story?

[joeksr]

Anybody got a mako horror story?

Yeh, the one I mentioned above. That dead mako grabbed the captains son by the knee. Infection, surgery, it was a mess.

Joe