Seals, Sea lions

Interesting article, so, has anyone had an issue with a sea lion trying to take a fish out of their kayak? Other than giving it to them, what can you do?

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/bill_monroe/index.ssf/2015/03/sealssea_lion_post-smelt_quand.html#incart_river

i think lingling has. i haven't, but the next time i've got a fish and there are sealions around, i'll toss it in my front hold instead of the usual spot on the back deck or stringer over the side/in the water.

i think lingling has. i haven't, but the next time i've got a fish and there are sealions around, i'll toss it in my front hold instead of the usual spot on the back deck or stringer over the side/in the water.

The one that will get that fish you hang over the side in the water will be the one you didn't know was there.     And if you're lucky, it taking your fish will be the worst part.

Several kayakers on this forum have played tug-o-war with a sealion.  I know Jammer has a video of one fish he lost.

I haven't had fish stolen while kayaking, but I've not fished from a kayak yet.  I have had them taken from my line while in my PB.  Best thing you can do is cut the line before you get spooled if you think the critter got the hook.  One seal I hooked while live bait fishing for tuna became insanely acrobatic immediately adjacent to the boat.  It would have been a disaster had that thing flipped into the boat.   

I've heard of people using several of the methods described in the article (seal/sea lion bombs, paintball guns, wrist rockets, etc), but I don't know if they are legal.  Probably depends on which enforcement agency you end up dealing with after the fact.  Feds will likely take a different stand on it than locals. 

I haven't had fish stolen while kayaking, but I've not fished from a kayak yet.  I have had them taken from my line while in my PB.  Best thing you can do is cut the line before you get spooled if you think the critter got the hook.  One seal I hooked while live bait fishing for tuna became insanely acrobatic immediately adjacent to the boat.  It would have been a disaster had that thing flipped into the boat.   

I've heard of people using several of the methods described in the article (seal/sea lion bombs, paintball guns, wrist rockets, etc), but I don't know if they are legal.  Probably depends on which enforcement agency you end up dealing with after the fact.  Feds will likely take a different stand on it than locals.

here is the NOAA document with rules for deterring seals and sea lions, check the top of page 2 for what is allowed while fishing.  cheers, roger

Haven't heard of fish being stolen out of anyone's tank well. All the years kayak fishing in the ocean i've only had a number of times fish have been stolen but that was off the end of my line. Although they have stolen some real nice ones. There was one time in Oregon a big bull Steller chased and barked me right outta the water. Came about a foot from my stern with what seemed like full volume.

I still say they just need to i nance the relocation process by relocating them about 50 mile into the Mount Hood National Forest... It's a win-win , there out of the river and the wolf population has enough food to sustain there pack

Are these Seals? Starts 0:20 seconds in. 

  I'd say that was a young (and small)  California sea lion.
  And the guy set a bad precedent by letting the furbag on his kayak. I'd of smacked that sum-itch.

The NOAA document states I can us an "underwater firecracker", wonder if the following meets the criteria.

"U.S.Army Mk 40 Mod 0/1

The Mk 40 is a TNT filled concussion grenade specifically for use against enemy divers and frogmen. The grenade is designed to be employed essentially as an anti-personnel depth charge, killing or otherwise incapacitating the target by creating a lethal shockwave underwater, similar to that of a full-size depth charge."
 

and no, I'm not advocating the use of explosives as a deterrence, so no need for US Fish and Wildlife to come knocking on my door,

HA. Deploy one of those and I don't think you'll even need your rods to "catch" fish.

I've had many a seal or sea lion take my fish. I have even had the rod ripped out of my hands. I leashed the rod and was able to keep the rod. I've never had them snatch fish that I'm storing. It's always been a fish I was fighting.
Eric from NCKA has a pretty crazy video of a sea lion stealing his fish. Summer 2014 Kayak Salmon Series Episode Eight - Seal Attack at Shelter C...:

I expect to lose a fish or two to the pinnipeds. I'm fine with it. It's nice when they don't steal my gear. I'll always be able to catch another fish and sometimes it's fun to land the fish before the seal figures out what I'm doing.
In this video, a seal had been following me around. It dissappeared when I hooked up. I pedaled toward the fish and away from the seal. I think it confused the seal and I landed the fish with no fuss.Morning Chinook Session:

Last Friday out at Sunset Bay A ling came up and hovered  about 2 ft. from my fly to inspect it. The ling instantly disappeared when at the same time a sea lion came full bore out of nowhere and took my fly. About a 30-45 sec. sleigh ride and a $85 fly line parting ways with me I was #$%@&*!! HOT!  A boat near by came over to find out what was going on and that they to was having problems with sea lions. I must have been a sight screaming at the top of my lungs and smacking the water like a mad man with my paddle. (By the way the sleigh ride was way cool)

I have had several California sealions follow me on the Willamette while springer fishing.  Depending on how I feel, I will  sometimes turn and charge them.  So far all of the ones I have tried this with have swum away.  When stellars are around I tend to leave. 

Hopefully Craig will chime in about the harbor seal that helped him bleed out a fish.