I was on the edge of my seat for the entire video... and I was not even sitting on anything. Thank you for sharing such an informative video! Keep them coming!
Hey Dan I gotta apologise for an half arse comment I made on one of your vids about spearing on air.After watching a couple more of your vids I have gain big respect for you mate.Those are heavy situations to be in.
Pedro, no worries, I appreciate your words. You ever get over this way, look me up. We'll go shoot some fish together, with or without tanks. Best, Dan
Great Stuff Dan , I reckon you did the right thing, all things considered . Happy Hunting . and I hope the Covid thing is settling down over your part of the World. Cheers from Queensland the Aussie version of Florida
Thanks Andrew, I agree, all's well that ends well! I def wasn't trying to kill that Bull, just get him/them off me and skedaddle! Appreciate your comments, Best to you down under! Dan
Dan I am always amazed in all your hunting that you always breath at the same rate and you never seem to get your breathing rate or heart beat up no matter how big the fish you shoot or how much it struggles etc. Now I see you do exactly the same with sharks. I stood off a bigger shark recently and did well but my heart rate just kept increasing and it spooked my whole dive. Please let me know some of your wisdom on always managing no matter what comes to keep your heart and breathing rate normal and slow? Many thanks!
Hey GC, I think it's just a lot of experience. Usually the more you deal with most things, the better you handle them. Sharks are a normal part of the spear fishing game and if you play the game, you'll most likely have to deal with some of them. I'd probably suggest pre-thinking a strategy of how you'd handle it if one shows up. Always try and keep your gun and gear straightened up and tight. Try and maintain eye contact and even yell at them. I've found that loud profanity seems to work well. lol. With a real determined one, often times, a hard smash into his face with the gun will back him off. Most can be discouraged before things escalate to the "bloody" stage. You do want to make sure that if need be, it's their blood that's released, not yours. One other thing, they def don't like it when you swim at them with a 5 foot sharp thing pointing at them. Your gun is a powerful deterrent. Best, Dan
Not that it means anything coming from me ...im a dive master and working tech and salvage diver who loves shooting fish ! I greatly enjoye watching you in the water the way you stay and remain calm as this happens as a dive master im waiting for your breathing to pick up ..never does just amazing at the control! I would love to dive with you for a week or so cant amagine what I could learn ! I hope there's an invite 🙏 one day your videos are incredible!
DFB, no that means a lot. I think it's just years of doing it and being comfortable in the water. I'm still going to be doing this commercially for a little while longer and can't take people on the boat. But, when I "retire" and not commercial anymore, you'rd be welcome anytime. Thanks for watching and your comments. Best, Dan
I learned a valuable lesson from Dan. In the keys while free diving in 20-25ft I had a really nice black i shot hole up in a crack. There were 2 bulls. They wouldn't leave but never really encroached except when I descended on the retrieve. It went on for maybe 20 minutes and I was becoming tired. So i decided to powerhead the first one who started creeping. I tried to PH him just above eyes. I hit side of his head and it glanced not firing. It wasn't a slip on. I was screwed! 1st Lesson is, big bang works best when it goes bang! Aim big miss big were not snipers! (Dan maybe but not me) 2nd lesson, use Slip on PH and have multiples! I got my fish but nearly 2 hrs after I shot it. These fish are much smarter than credit is given, the PH is an equalizer!
I love seeing someone educate sharks. People like to cry about it but it’s just like grizzlies or mountain lions. Teach them humans are dangerous and there will be less conflicts
Dan, enjoy your videos. I have been watching several here, just discovered your channel, and wondering what you do when the sharks smell the blood of your kills and want a free lunch. I know from times I was deep sea fishing I lost several nice tuna to the sharks. I have been a recreational diver since about 1985 and enjoy watching you pros at work. For me at 73 yrs I think I will stick to spearing lionfish. Thanks for all the exciting videos. Stay safe out there now. God bless and protect you and your crew. Bill from Mustang Oklahoma :-)
Hey WF, I usually will leave, not worth the drama. Occasionally, if it's just one Shark and he's not big or hyper aggressive, I might stay, but usually it's a better idea to just go. I've had (as you can probably imagine) quite a few bad ones over the years and there's nothing fun or good about any of that. Leaving will usually deescalate the situation, which is a win for all parties involved! . There's plenty of other spots to dive! Great to hear that you're still diving and spearing Lionfish at 73! Best, Dan
Hi Dan, Great vids and awesome fish i enjoy your videos. Im on a small island called Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. I do free diving but have started doing more tank dives gor big fish and have had a harder time landing some of them and have lost some gear. Last weekend caught a 180lb Marlin sword fish but it bent all three of my sticks. Whats the PH things your using on the tips? Looks like magic but maybe something i need for the larger fish! Keep up the awesome vids and stay safe! Thanks Sean
Taga, thanks! That spear fishing over your way sounds incredible. That piece is called a "slip on" powerhead. Basically an aluminum tube that holds a rifle or pistol bullet. The spear point acts as a firing pin. Speargods.com has them for sale. Would love to see some video of your spearfishing over there! Best, Dan
Dan. Have you ever thought about a kill spike? I use one . Never an issue with sharks or cuda. I never have dove the middle grounds, so maybe the bulls out there behave differently. The ones i have been around never paid me any attention on the way to surface . When all the fish i shoot are brained and bled.
AC, in 200', usually a light Helitrox blend. I follow the tech training agencies recommendations and blend for a working dive, about a 1.2-1.3 max PO2. Extended range diving is no joke, and requires lots of training and multiple certifications. If you want to attempt this stuff, training is a must! Glad you enjoyed the video, Best, Dan
Adam, I had a machine shop make the casing to my specs and then make the rubber insert and final touches. They work well. Thanks for question. Best, Dan
Those bulls were barely swimming. You've never seen a moving bull if you say these were "amped up". You can get good and price worthy PH's at speargods in St. Pete.
I know you can see them alot better than video shows but dang they blend in so well to ocean.....bull sharks much respect....no joke......if it drops those pecs that is not a pretty site
One quick follow up re sharks - I noticed it seems you do not swim towards bulls w spear out - would this not hasten their retreat rather than letting them circle and standing them off?
You're right, It def can and I'd usually do just that with one Shark. With the 3 or 4 on that dive, I def wouldn't do that. Better to stay near 4' rock where you can protect your blind side (if necessary) . I knew that if I would just be patient and thump one, it would almost certainty give me the reprieve I needed to vamoose...I def wasn't trying to kill one, just sting one and drive 'em off....Best, Dan
Great read and defence on the bulls. I have shot ling right off their backs but when they drop those fins and act a fool there are only two types of sharks that really make me nervous and that bulls and Carrigan reefs
Your my hero sir lol, personally after a while I would have lost my mind and started to shoot the bulls. Like I said before there is spear fisherman and then there is you.
Hey Dan, does the lion fish meant to keep the bulls away from the fish you caught? I never seen a bull shark but I used lobsters the keep the reef shark away from fish I caught. Love ur videos..
Dude! You know how much better it is watching a game when you know the players? After watching all your videos I feel like I’ve gotten to know you the way one knows an athlete...this had me on the edge of my seat all the way up to the very end. I have way too many questions and comments about this situation to put into a comments section so I’ll try to limit it to just a few...first, I was totally impressed with how your kept your cool and waited for the right shot. Hats off to you...shows how good you are and how much experience you have. 2nd, WTF did you shoot a lionfish for? I know he was pretty big, but still. 3rd...I’ve never in my life understood what anyone was saying underwater, not on my own dives or in your videos. First thing I’ve ever understood someone say... “Look how big that f--- is”! Last...although I hold a PADI Underwater Hunter card and have searched RU-vid extensively, I’ve never been able to find any decent instruction on how to deal with sharks. I know that experience and diving with good mentors is the best way to learn, but there’s a definite need for some online instruction in this area if you’d be willing to take the time to create a video of some of your shark encounters and detail what’s going through your mind. Just an idea... Thanks again for uploading your work. These videos are invaluable for people like me who only have sporadic opportunities to spearfish. Sincerely, Alan
Alan, thanks for your comments. Trust me, I wasn't happy, was more mad at myself for putting myself into that situation. That area is a magnet for big Bulls in the summer and I knew there was an increased chance of an encounter. Sometimes you pays ya money and takes ya chances I guess. Rare to see Lion fish that big in that depth of water around here. Figured I'd do the reef a favor and take 'em out. Plus it was a $15 fish that wasn't going to go fleeing down the reef causing a rucus and amping up whatever was out there. Lol. Kenny swears he can understand me perfectly in the water. It's tough though. Sharks are so unpredictable and vary so much in size, disposition, etc, it'd be hard for anybody to write a "how to" book on it. I'd simply suggest to leave if you can, and if you can't, try and maintain eye contact, always try and face the shark and keep your gun pointed at it. I like to slowly, with the gun pointed at it, swim towards it. Believe me, it knows your swimming towards it and doesn't like it. I'll also yell things like you MF, I'll blow your MF'n head off if you don't stop your stupid crap. Works pretty good sometimes. Can't put those on YT though. lol. Again, I don;t want to hurt/kill sharks and try not to. If I can leave, avoid violence and dive somewhere else, I do. Best, Dan
RB, the most reliable ones IMHO are the screw on machined ones with a built in firing pin. With those, my favorite round is a .223. The slip on's like I use, utilize the spear tip as a firing pin and aren't as reliable. They still work well but require a much larger learning curve. Contact Rich at SpearCrafters and he'll set you up. They make a sweet one. Best, Dan
hey dude, great video! out of curiosity, why would it be a bad idea to try to get a kill shot? and also do they all swim off if one gets hurt and leaves?
Hey Dan, i had to PPD a shark earlier this summer. He reacted exactly like the one in your video. In your opinion do you think they swim off and die, or just rock their world enough to spook them off?
BB, yep, multiple Bulls will def demand your attention...when possible, your best bet is to leave....due to several factors, I couldn't do that and had to deal with it! Best, Dan
I know this probably a dumb question, but I dont dive and watch your videos always. What does that metal thing do to the shark. Just stun them a lil hopefully scaring them off?
Jeff, it's a slip on Bang Stick, will easily kill a Shark if hit in the head or spinal area. I wasn't trying to kill that Bull, just to drive him/them off so I could leave. Worked out pretty good. Thanks for the question. Best, Dan
Looks exactly like the type of bottom where shooting on.Hope I didn't curse you with the shark comment from last time. But holy shit I learned alot from this video you ever use a shark shield Dan?
Is your PH a .38 or 357? ...I had back in my diving days ( 1980 ) a Hawaiian sling 12gauge slot sealed with wax and it was used two times in 5 yrs...one for an eel 65 lbs, the other one made my retirement....7-9 ft. hammerhead... a mean machine! ...when after my fish bag seated on the sea floor with couples of bloody-red snappers ....8ft away from me....we were 4 diving that day looking for lobsters , never saw it coming...just felt a big pull from my fish bag line attached to my belt (left the floater with the flag in the car)I would say like 30 ft apart from each other barely can see one of my buddies...., but all hear the shot under water ...and they all knew something was not right ....and we all raced back to the shore! Take care brother! ...look into the new ocean guard freedom.
Ivan, I know what you're saying, those big Hammers can be pretty sneaky! I use a Russian Military round for my PH's, a 7.62/54R. Appreciate you watching, Best, Dan
Do you make your own power heads or purchase locally? Have been doing some research on them, and would prefer a slip on to something threaded on spare shaft.
Randy, good question. I know they def help and a lot of guys swear by them. If I dove a lot with the recent onslaught of Shallow water Bulls we now have, I'd consider trying one out. As soon as they make they annual appearance, I just go farther offshore than Bulls normally go. Usually it's no problem for us, I knew better to be where I was in that video at that time of year, and def got the point reinforced...Thanks for watching, Best, Dan
Dustin, it's a home made gun we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but utilizing better quality parts and tighter tolerances. That closed muzzle was designed by a good friend (Kevin Bruington) and he def hit it out of the park with it. Best, Dan
Just a question, but can you spear another fish to leave on the bottom as sort of a sacrificial lamb so to speak, while you ascend with your catch? I mean all they want is your injured fish, would it help if you brain the fish so they are not still struggling on your hoop?
Hey Dan just a question, since I don't undestand exactly the dynamic: you shot the shark just to make it go away, because it was a too dangerous situaton? So you didn't even take the dead fish with you on your boat?
GU, yeah, I wasn't going to try and ascend with 3 (or more) big bulls around. Wasn't trying to kill the Shark, just get 'em off me. It would have gotten ugly quickly trying to make it up while dealing with those things. Been there and done that too many times. I brought the fish up and had no Bull problems during the ascent. Best, Dan
KK, it's an aluminum tube that's been machined to accept a rifle round. The spear point acts as a firing pin. Commonly called a "Slip on Power Head". Usually used for large fish or for personal protection. Best, Dan
Exciting vid!! Damn, in my limited spearfishing dives I've had a couple encounters with single Bull Sharks but never multiples. On my daughters second dive in the ocean......after freaking out on the way to the boat over sharks. We have a 8-10ft Bull come buy us 3x all captured on video. I hope to post it soon (once she edits it) What is that tip on the end of the spear? PH?
I live in the Caribbean where the water is much clearer and mostly have to deal with pesky reef sharks when we are diving, trying to get our fish... Any tips for keeping them off of me? #PADI #ScubaDiver #OW #AOW #RESCUE #BeginnerSpearfisher
PK, those Reef Sharks can be a real issue. If you're spearfishing in those waters, they'll def be around. We try to start at the down current end of a reef area or ledge line, and always work into the current. At least that way you're not diving in your own chum line. Besides that, work an area for a dive, spear a couple fish and run a mile or so and repeat the process. Avoid long bloody dives on the same spot and def try and avoid back dives on the same spot. Best of Luck, Dan
Nick, in that situation with two power heads, 3 sharks, and the boat not there, I just wanted to get them off me. You wouldn't want to risk a head shot as you're really not trying to kill the shark, just get 'em off you. The head is a much smaller, angled , part of them and is harder to successfully hit. Lots more chance of it skidding down the side of their head and not going off. Now he's not happy and you're down to one remaining PH, not good. I just want to make sure the first PH hits something solid and goes off. Sharks left, I left, success! Thanks for the great question, Best, Dan
Dan MacMahon you are awesome diver and personality, thank you for taking your time to clearly explain it to me, it makes sense and also every situation is different and you did what was the best decision at that time. I like it and dot let those people telling you wrong to get to you because of course everyone is a professor from the safety of the inside of the house but in the water it’s a different story it’s a survival situation because we are not at the top of the food chain. Great decision stay safe brother
Hey Elio, it's a home made gun we make ourselves. Roughly based on an older Sea Hornet but utilizing better quality parts and tighter tolerances. Best, Dan
DSP, I totally understand what you're saying but usually the stringer slides under and pushes the eye out of the way when stringing them that way. The eyes are intact when the stringer is removed. Best, Dan
DSP What better way to “properly kill the fish” other than “stoning” them thru their brain pan 90% of the time killing them instantly? Just like just about every one of Dan’s shots btw.
GG, I knew that in all probability that ascending would make it a lot worse, plus that boat wasn't there. No the PH went off normally, I wasn't trying for a risky head shot, just wanted them off of me. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 The shark did swim away like it was nothing for her. On your other videos Big Jacks stoned right away when shoot with PH. Is it big 7.62 rounds ?
You're definitely right Dan. The population is exploding. I got hit several weeks back in the leg in some murky water by a 10 footer on my way back to the surface. A nice reminder that we are not on top of the food chain when we're down there.
Hay JP, darn, hope your leg (and you) are doing ok! Those Bulls are def no joke.....they've actually made me change my diving during the warmer months. I just try to avoid them as much as possible as a standard plan now. Stay Safe, Best, Dan
Jared I agree 100% I Can Only Imagine but I will say for sure that I agree with you about the population explosion unfortunately all governments including ours and worldwide are still continuing to push the same Mantra that all these species and yes I could list dozens of them are still endangered bulshit it's a big lie most species that were on the endangered list many many species that were listed as endangered are no longer but it will never be reversed ever again and meanwhile the brainwashed SHEEPLE.... will continue to be brainwashed and told over and over that all these supposed species are endangered once again not the case not at all bulshit
@@danmacmahon3973 what kind of changes? Just trying to see if I can learn anything I can implement to try to avoid them, as I’m new to spearfishing! Inshore, N FL. PCB, Destin
Dan thank you so much for setting me up with Spear Gods! Just got two PH with other stuff and planning to visit their shop this week since I live in Bradenton, FL . In your 7.62x54r ammo I am guessing you are using 148 grain. If not please reccomend me which one. Going to get it through Brownells. Thanks a million!! You are a cool dude!
RV, awesome, glad I could be of a little help. Rich at Speargods is a great guy and will treat you right! I use Military Surplus ammo, all FMJ and I only buy the stuff that's water proofed from the factory. You can tell that by a red ring around the bullet/casing joint and also around the primer. Aim surplus or midway are a good place to look. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 Thanks a million, got it through Buccaneer Pawn shop. $12.00 for 20 rounds. Tula, next time will buy what you recommend. That's a hell of a round, wonder how that Bull shark took it. On your video with three of them Thanks again! Once again when I go I will tell Rick you send me!
Dan I don't know much on diving but am learning watching your channel. I do shoot a bunch and cartridges , calibers and ballistics I ve studied all my life Noticed you said you use the 7.62 × 54 R is it because it's a rimmed case and head spacing with a rimmed cartridge would be easier than a bottle necked cartridge when milling out inside chamber. Using that cartridge was a really good idea because of that. Also easier to extract spent rounds I can imagine.
Yeah Bull Sharks suck..... I try not to dislike any Shark but I'll make an exception for Bull's. Those things have a nasty disposition and the brawn to back it up. Glad it apparently went OK with the Bull and Student! Would enjoy hearing the story! Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 Thanks Dan I taught several of my sons school buds to fish and dive and this was this guy's 2nd dive & IDK why I left my Rife in the boat with my daughter and took my power-head gun 48" Biller with a regular shaft just to shoot some sheep-head ! So I shoot one on bottom 55' I put him on stringer on my R side I reloaded and we kick up 20 ft and he shoots his first sheep I shoot another and soon as he goes down Bellow me bouncing back and forth FAST is about a 6 ft or so FAT bull ? He's between my fish & me and getting closer to me. So I didn't stone either of my sheep and the one Bellow is FIGHTING & PULLING DOWN... & He is getting CLOSER.... so Im kicking up and try to get the sheep in my stringer off to give him I know that's what he wants so the sheep on my stringer sees the Bull and he is BITTING it SO HARD I CAN'T GET HIM OFF...!!! so I decided to go for the quick release clip on the Biller but when I pulled up on the Biller THE BULL TURNS ON HIS SIDE AND IS BOUNCING VERY FAST JUST UNDER MY FINS LINING UP WITH MY LEGS BACK AND FORTH VERY VERY FAST.... I REMEMBER THINKING IF I HAD MY POWER-HEAD ON THIS BILLER I DON'T THINK I COULD HIT HIM.... I GET TO THE QUICK RELEASE SOON AS I DROP THE SHAFT CABLE HE BOUNCE TO THE RIGHT and disappeared....! I watched the sheep kicking around the rig leg I look up and Anthony hanging just Bellow a very bad layer of viz. His eyes so WIDE OPEN it looked like one BIG EYEBALL in his mask ??? ( his second dive ) I laughed so hard I almost DROWNED took him through the 1 ft vis to the boat as he was trembling badly. This was on a tripple rig 55' deep just south east of Daulphin Island Al. Mud on top about 15 to 20 vis on bottom ! He sold his Gear 😉 Lol
intense video thanks for sharing, I have yet to see a shark spearing but know it will happen one day. Let me ask, what would you have done if this situation happened towards end of dive running out of air supply? Also, what are your thoughts on deploying a lift bag immediately on your stringer when the sharks come in?
BB, VM, Upon seeing the first Bull, I normally would have left, but the boat was dropping another diver on another location and wasn't there. You don't want to be bobbing on the surface with bloody fish, no boat and Bull sharks. If bottom time or air supply had gotten low, you'd have no choice but to ascend but you'd have to fight it out, almost certainly. Def the least preferred option to me at the time. We use lift bags in a lot of situations and they're a useful tool, and they usually work just fine. But Bulls, Sandbars, and others can and will chase a liftbag up and destroy your equipment and catch before the boat can retrieve it. All depends on the circumstances. Thanks for watching and question. Best, Dan
Deploying a lift bag would have been the ideal scenario, but he's a commercial fisherman so he probably doesn't want to lose his fish. The sharks are always going to be curious and in this video were not showing signs of aggression but rather curiosity. Shooting the powerhead was, in my opinion, unnecessary but I don't know his level of fear or his experience with bull sharks.
Frank, it's an aluminum casing, machined to hold a rifle bullet. Commonly called a "slip on" power head. The spear tip acts as a firing pin. Usually used for self protection or large fish in deep water. Best, Dan
How deep are u diving?? All on air or Nitrox? Never seen NO riding rig tethered to ur wrist. Thats all we doing.. But we aren't on the bottom.. Dang U in the merc.
Gunner, Shallower in the Winter but usually between 150' and 300' in the Summer months. Nitrox or Helitrox mixes. I rarely dive air or Trimix anymore. I haven't shot a line gun in 10 years so def no riding rig needed. if I ever dive the rigs, I probably would! Best, Dan
JT, they def knew that one of their own was injured and it def made them back off. Which allowed for a unmolested ascent to the surface. Yey! Best, Dan
They definitely were there for the fish. Good thing none of them were struggling. Why dont you send the fish up on a sausage? Thats what we normally do.
Kevin, we do use lift bags to send fish up sometimes but those Bulls are notorious for ascending with it and taking the entire catch and stringer. Best, Dan
MB, I sell to a licensed wholesale seafood buyer in the Tampa Bay area. As a federally permitted commercial fisherman, I'm required to have an active vessel monitoring system (VMS) that lets the Fed's, Coast Guard and State wildlife know where my boat is 24/7/365. I also have to give a pre landing report of where I'm landing and the Break down of fish by species and weight. This has to be done a minimum of 3 hours before landing so law enforcement can check the catch if they want to before the boat leaves the water. Best, Dan
Hey Brian, well in that particular case, my boat wasn't back yet from handling another diver. If I had gone up, there wouldn't have been a boat. Another consideration was when you leave the bottom, you really expose yourself to them, and in all probability, it would have been an "intense" ascent. Obviously if it had been deep water or a getting low on air situation, I'd have left. But that scenario probably wouldn't have played out as well as what I actually did. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 makes perfect sense. Appreciate the reply. And I just recently subscribed to your channel, tons of great videos. I am just getting into spearfishing a love it. Haven't had the chance to spear on scuba or off a boat really but love the content. Where are you based? I'm in southwest Florida near Sarasota
I noticed it seemed to get murkier about that time. Can't imagine it having anything to do.with sharks but strangly they coincided with each other.. I thought it showed the experience and awareness of Dan to notice the cobia that put him.in alert mode and he definitely anticipated the arrival of and species it would be.
FL, I really try hard not to...don't really want to lose a shaft and needlessly hurt them. Sometimes though, they just don't give you any reasonable alternative. Best, Dan
Hey Karim, I have mine made by a local machine shop. Neptonics (813-867-3250) or Spear Gods (727-432-1967) both have similar models for retail sale. Best, Dan
Greg, short for Power Head. Usually an aluminum or Stainless casing that holds a rifle or pistol bullet. They can use the spear point as a firing pin or come with a dedicated firing pin built in. Best, Dan
@@danmacmahon3973 thank you....I have been googling it and couldn't find an answer......I love these videos but have never gone spear fishing only line
