Seals

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rappuhd
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Seals

Post by rappuhd » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:12 am

While fishing for blackmouth this past week we lost three really nice fish to seals. The whole day we had between two and three following right behind us. I was fishing with someone from Oregon who said that down there a lot of people will shoot them with slingshots just to keep them away. Is that legal here? If not is there anything you can do to keep them away? Don't mind losing an occasional fish to them but three really nice fish is too many.

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Amx
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Re: Seals

Post by Amx » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:16 am

only illegal if you are caught.
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18ftTrophy
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Re: Seals

Post by 18ftTrophy » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:04 am

According to WDFW you can protect your catch as long as you don't harm them.

BARCHASER
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Re: Seals

Post by BARCHASER » Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:58 am

The seals may have to catch salmon on their own. Judging by the new WDFW Master Plan, sport salmon fishing in Puget Sound and all Treaty waters may be a thing of the past. The usual websites, PP and Ifish are talking about "massive" cutbacks in salmon sport fishing.

https://tidalexchange.com/wp-content/up ... 012017.pdf

rappuhd
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Re: Seals

Post by rappuhd » Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:22 pm

Thanks for the responses.... I guess we will be bringing a slingshot on our next trip!

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Larry3215
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Re: Seals

Post by Larry3215 » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:49 pm

BARCHASER1 wrote:The seals may have to catch salmon on their own. Judging by the new WDFW Master Plan, sport salmon fishing in Puget Sound and all Treaty waters may be a thing of the past. The usual websites, PP and Ifish are talking about "massive" cutbacks in salmon sport fishing.

https://tidalexchange.com/wp-content/up ... 012017.pdf
This really sucks, but I think its the only option at this point - IF - they also shut down commercial and tribal fishing to the same degree.

18ftTrophy
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Re: Seals

Post by 18ftTrophy » Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:17 am

They won't.

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Sideburns
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Re: Seals

Post by Sideburns » Mon Dec 18, 2017 2:14 pm

You can defend your catch from seals with non lethal means, and you're not allowed to penetrate their skin. Sling shots, rubber bullets, noise makers, explosives... good times.
"If it still works, take it apart and find out why!"

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Sideburns
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Re: Seals

Post by Sideburns » Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:47 pm

"If it still works, take it apart and find out why!"

TrackerPro16
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Re: Seals

Post by TrackerPro16 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:47 pm

Sling shot's can be quite accurate and fun. If you get some nice smooth round rocks ammo is cheap!

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Mike Carey
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Re: Seals

Post by Mike Carey » Tue Dec 19, 2017 7:16 am

TrackerPro16 wrote:Sling shot's can be quite accurate and fun. If you get some nice smooth round rocks ammo is cheap!
not to mention therapeutic. [flapper]
Image

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rappuhd
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Re: Seals

Post by rappuhd » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:25 am

It sure is! Used the slingshot alot yesterday and it seemed to work. We still had the seal follow us for some of the day, but did not have it take any fish off the line this time! From now on will always have a slingshot onboard.

TrackerPro16
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Re: Seals

Post by TrackerPro16 » Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:36 pm

Oddly enough, double ended wad cutters work exceptionally well in a slingshot.

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Sideburns
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Re: Seals

Post by Sideburns » Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:48 am

Ive had a few moments of glory recently, standing on a crowded squid fishing dock. Seals definitely were chasing our squid away.... over 200 feet away I nailed that seal when he popped his head up, with 1/2 oz lead weight fired out of my wrist rocket. `Crowds of stunned asain squid fisherman suddenly cheered... at least thats how I remember it! The seals stayed away for a few hours.
"If it still works, take it apart and find out why!"

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salmonkiller
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Re: Seals

Post by salmonkiller » Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:01 pm

A Sling shot and some ball bearings are in the glove box of my SeaHawk.....

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Sideburns
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Re: Seals

Post by Sideburns » Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:47 pm

Explosives work great too. Something with a waterproof fuse and "m80 sized" taped to a weight to sink quickly. The dock shakes and rumbles, the bubbles float up from the bottom. Then, oddly enough, the few times that Ive tried this the squid seemed to hit hard immediately. Seal free for a few hours!
"If it still works, take it apart and find out why!"

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rdnzl
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Re: Seals

Post by rdnzl » Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:34 pm

Yep. Wrist rocket. I prefer ball bearings. Good accuracy with them.

hlindsay
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Re: Seals

Post by hlindsay » Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:34 am

Sideburns wrote:Explosives work great too. Something with a waterproof fuse and "m80 sized" taped to a weight to sink quickly. The dock shakes and rumbles, the bubbles float up from the bottom. Then, oddly enough, the few times that Ive tried this the squid seemed to hit hard immediately. Seal free for a few hours!
Two problems with this, both are the law. One would be possession of explosives with out a license the other would be covered under "you may not" on page 4 of the fishing regs. "Use drugs, explosives, or poison that may kill or injure sh and wildlife."

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