Tailers any one use them?

[makomyday]

I've whatching them being use on the fishing shows ,mainly for catch and release sharking .Looks like a handy tool but beats the hell out of there boats . Any body use them ? Jose

[pitch bait]

The only time I tail rope a fish is if Im going to kill it. They usually have a couple gaffs in them first.

[Bert Rodgers]

Makes for exciting TV, but If I'm going to release a shark I'm going to do it quickly with a pair of wire cutters. I don't need to get the hook for bonus pts.

Bert

[frankypettolina]

Being that I am short and on the hefty side, my sports coats have to be specially tailored and some of my trousers hemmed.

Seriously, I have never used one, but I think on smaller fish for release purposes they are probably fine. I am leary of grabbing large sharks by the tail unless I have intent of putting a large hole in their head with a fire arm.

I always wondered if this put undo stress on a fish, they are not designed to be lifted by their tail. It is a push point, not a pull from point, at least the way I am thinking.

[shipmate bill]

I have one of the reliable tailer that goes on a flying gaff shaft. For fish that you're killing its very handy. We usually don't need it for charters cause the shark is always dead before i'm putting on a tail rope (although its handy to swing it over the tail instead of tail gaffing, lifting and securing a rope) But where it really shines is in no gun/bangstick tournaments. After you sink several fliers, its a lot easier to use the tailer over ropes.

[joeksr]

I have one of the reliable tailer that goes on a flying gaff shaft. For fish that you're killing its very handy. We usually don't need it for charters cause the shark is always dead before i'm putting on a tail rope (although its handy to swing it over the tail instead of tail gaffing, lifting and securing a rope) But where it really shines is in no gun/bangstick tournaments. After you sink several fliers, its a lot easier to use the tailer over ropes.

I have to agree with this. Handy after the gaff is sunk. As a primary means of securing a live shark not so good. I have an aftco with a cable loop. Trying to get the loop over a moving tail dosnt work for me. Keeps hitting the tail and releasing.
Joe

[makomyday]

Thanks for the fead back ,If releasing it's safe for the angler and the fish to cut the leader as close a possable . jose

[Seaker]

We do some shark tagging with scientist and the deployment of PSAT's
So we do handle the shark boatside and now we simply bring them into the boat. We use a SO-Lo Flying Tailer and keep the leaderman on the front end while we snare the tail. I have replaced the standard three ply rope on the tailer after loosing one to a one bite release with plaited kevlar rope. We then bring em in backwards through the tuna door.

We use circle hooks exclusively and we remove the hooks prior to release by cutting them with bolt cutters (24 inch) and taking out the remaing end from outside with deck pliers.

This technique is not for everyone and does require a leader adjustment to a short trace of wire attached to very heavy mono to prevent any cutting by the leader if or when the shark begins to roll

Hope this helps you.

Now I need to find a good gelcoat guy

[gradyfish265]

If you are going to keep a shark, you are nuts if you do not use a tailer or a tail rope. Using either one gives you control over the fish. The tail generates the sharks momentum, if you can keep it out of the water, the fish is done. If you are releasing the fish, using one is more of a hassle then it is worth, especially once you remove/cut the hook off and now you have him by the tail...
We also carry a bangstick to use if we plan to keep the fish. Not all tourneys allow you to use them, always check with the tourney rules to see what they allow. If you are fishing on your own I would recommend one, 1 to two bangs and the fish is toast. It will still have its nerve endings in the body moving, but the fish will be a lot calmer and less dangerous. www.bangsticks.com has them for around $100. They are also safer then having guns aboard, plus you do not need permits to carry them onboard. For those of you who have never used a bang stick, it is a small chamber that is attached to a long pole. It fires a bullet as you apply a forward pressure to the fish. You fire them underwater and it is direct point blank range so the fish feels the full force of the bullet. We use amo with only powder in it, a lot safer and a bigger boom to stun and kill the fish.