In Reply to: shark stuff that makes you go HMMMMMMM. posted by Ted on August 29, 2005 at 21:11:40:

I just competed in the Hatters Blue Water Open, a spearfishing tournament in Cape Hatteras, NC. The Bull Sharks and Sand Tigers were very aggressive, usually coming up after the Amberjacks and African Pompanos that we shot. One group of 3 hunters told me that they had an exceptionally difficult time with two aggressive Bulls (arched back, lowered peck fins) when one of them had a hot 30+ pound Amberjack on his spear. They said it took everything they had to keep the Bulls at a safe distance. They made it to the boat ok. One of these two guys had a shark shield (www.omerdiving.com/product.aspx?product=168). The diver that wore it couldn't say whether it worked or not, but was glad that he had it on. I guess it is a good second line of defense, but there is no substitution for keeping you head up, keeping you cool and never turning you back on a big fish. If you want to see how sharks really act underwater, watch Manny Puig's (http://www.markrackley.com/home.html)Diary of a Sharkman. They usually play it on the Discovery Channel during Shark Week. There is also a good interview with Manny in the spring issue of Hawaii Skin Diver magazine.