Seals, Sea lions

A couple of years back I crossed a smelt run to fish for sturgeon on the Columbia. On the way back a Stellar bull would not let me cross back over. After several attempts and subsequent charges, I placed a well thrown 8 ounce weight on top of it's head. It left me alone long enough to get back to the other side.

Not that I condone the use of weights. The cost alone is prohibitive. A sling shot puts you much farther away and is much more accurate.

Wobbler

I haven't needed it yet but usually carry this paintball pistol in my forward hold, have it loaded with alternating paint and rubber balls...at close range the balls hit with enough force to crack thin plywood, definitely would get a sea lions attention...

A couple of years back I crossed a smelt run to fish for sturgeon on the Columbia. On the way back a Stellar bull would not let me cross back over. After several attempts and subsequent charges, I placed a well thrown 8 ounce weight on top of it's head. It left me alone long enough to get back to the other side.
Wobbler

Dang that's crazy. Having had a run-in with a bull stellar on a yak I can say that sounds pretty scary.

I've never had a problem with the sea lions yet. They usually see me, and mug me down, then proceed to eat salmon or hunt. Those damn harbor seals just follow and follow and follow coming within paddles reach of the boat, its really a pestering. I don't know if they're smelling me out for fish or just interested in what im doing. I can never shake them usually I have to find a new spot. I would never in my right mind hang a fish over the side, seeing how I and im sure a few other anglers have almost, or have, lost a salmon at the docks, those bastards will take it right from your hand. No thanks I don't want to capsize.. haha

Do blasts from air horns work?

Not really IMO. The just duck their head underwater. If it was a blast at a very short range and the animal had its head out of the water it might work.

if they're not looking at you, you can do the whitewater paddle style slap down, usually scares them pretty decently

Harbor seals the other white meat  . The ones in Tillamook bay keep there distance, I think the ones that are getting too close for comfort are ones that have associated boats with fish not as big of a problem here, but then again we get orcas in from time to time. Cattle prod would be nice but water and electricity don't go good together. Would peper spray work some of thoes go out 20 ft? 12 gauge would be the best bet if it weren't for those pesky laws.

Pepper spray would be a bad idea.  Whenever you use that stuff, you have to be ready to get some of the spray back in your face because even though most of it is directed in a stream, there will be some of it that disperses like a fog.  Not a fun day.

Do they make pepper balls for the paintball guns?

Do they make pepper balls for the paintball guns?

  The good ones are used by law enforcement but milder versions are sold to the public in small quantities and are very expensive.  Almost 4 bucks a shot. 

22lr with a suppressor then would be the best then , wait them pesky laws again. Maybe the tribal communities can instill there rights to hunt them, there would be a lot more  salmon available.

There are DIY paintball recipes online, then you could just fill them custom with your pick of pure capsaicin extracts, or etc...  I've not tried it MYSELF, but theoretically anyways.

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. 

have you tried punching them in the head?

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. 

have you tried punching them in the head?

LMAO a that's funny, Nate is the perfect answer to the problem let the knuckles fly.