kayakers brave or crazy?
They did this 2 years ago. I don't know if I could.
Fishermen risk death by using kayaks in quest to catch sharks
Last updated at 13:58 08 October 2007
Brave fishermen set a new world first when they went hunting for sharks using simple rods and paddling in kayaks.
The extreme sportsmen shunned the traditional idea of a peaceful day's fishing when they rowed into the freezing shark-infested waters off Alaska.
The daring team of four were surrounded by 200 to 300 salmon sharks which were up to nine feet long and weighed between 400 and 1,000 lbs.
They baited their Avet 50 reels with large pieces of salmon, and managed to catch four of the sharks during their intrepid expedition near Hinchinbrook Island.
Scroll down for more
Extreme sports: One shark hunter shows his catch while in the waters off Alaska
Captain Christopher Mautino said: "Sharks were thrashing around in the near distance and we couldn't help but wonder what was in store.
"They attack salmon just like great whites attack seals.
"They thrash around and jump completely out of the water.
"It is quite violent and impressive to watch."
Describing the expedition in July he added: "As I dropped the salmon down, feelings of 'what am I doing?' came over me.
"I could see the sharks, which looked to be the same size as the kayaks."
The fishermen spend an hour or more tackling each shark before reeling them in
The fishermen, who come from the American Ocean Kayak Fishing Team, spent an hour or more tackling each of the sharks they caught and reeling them in.
Two of the creatures were hauled in to the Prowler 13 kayaks and a further two were released again.
Mr Mautino added: "I intentionally kept the trip under wraps until everyone returned home in one piece - and we have.
"None of us knew what to expect since this was the first time we had fished together as a group as well as the first time a kayaker had fished for Salmon Sharks."
The group's sharks were thought to weigh between 375 and 350 pounds and were an average of 7ft 10ins in length
The team, which also included Allen Sansano, Chris Mautino and Allen Bushnell were taken by a Pacific Mountain Guides charter boat across Prince William Sound to the back of Hinchinbrook Island.
"We are all experienced anglers and kayakers so either as a whole or individually, we felt confident in our personal abilities and limits," said the captain.
"The sharks were concentrating on feeding on the Pink Salmon and I really don't think they gave us a second thought.
"We slow trolled the bait behind the kayaks with the rods laying across our laps.
"Our biggest concerns were staying upright in the kayaks and keeping from getting tangled up in the gear and pulled over as well.
"There were so many sharks thrashing around us it was crazy. Even while fighting these fish, others were crashing the surface only feet away."
The group's four sharks were thought to weigh between 375 and 350 pounds and were an average of 7ft 10ins in length.
"We all agreed that nobody caught the biggest one, and they were all relatively the same," said Mr Mautino.
"This has been my long term goal since coming to Alaska, and now its complete."
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-486386/Fishermen-risk-death-using-kayaks-quest-catch-sharks.html#ixzz0aIMnfXIz
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by ledhead36
