Bangsticks

Marco,
I use a bang stick because I don't believe in taking a live shark into the boat,for the safety of the crew and boat.I use 00 buck,that spreads on contact rather than a slug which can come out the other side. It is not legal to use a bang stick in any shark tournament.
paulie


"Fishing with an Attitude"

Thanks for the quick and helpful response Paulie.I have A couple of more questions. Where do you place the shot? Behind the eyes into the brain? or can you place the shot in the vital area of the torso? and would you recommend using the bangstick on other fish than sharks such as Giant tuna or any other powerful fish of size?

Marco,
I would only use it on a shark I was going to take home not for tuna,however I did hear of guys using them with really big halibut.I always hit him behind the eyes,into the brain.

"Fishing with an Attitude"

by bangstick, I presume you all mean "shot gun" right?

No,it looks like a six foot gaff handle that you load a shot gun shell into.

"Fishing with an Attitude"

Use firearms for hunting on land, they have no place on the water. If you can't wire and gaff a fish at the boat you do not deserve it. LATER

I totally agree with Bucktail, if you can't handle it CUT THE LINE, or go hunting for MOOSE>

nothing wrong with using a shotgun or bang stick on a shark you are going to keep.....since most only keep makos.....( i hope).....and as someone else said bringing a live mako into a boat is NOT healthy......like anything else handling a firearm on land or sea must be done with the utmost care and caution.obviously you can't use one in a tournament situation,but at other times i use it.,again with much care and caution........one thing i do is wait till the fish is secured to the boat with tail ropes and a gaff head in it.....and then and only then when everyone is secure and the fish is secure will i shoot it......

capt jack

Just curious are bangsticks considered a weapon (firearm) under NYS law? Do you need a license to own one, have one on board etc. Although I boat out of Moriches (suffolk) I've always lived in NYC limits where I need proper registration and a renewable license for my shotgun or a rifle

Just curious are bangsticks considered a weapon (firearm) under NYS law? Do you need a license to own one, have one on board etc. Although I boat out of Moriches (suffolk) I've always lived in NYC limits where I need proper registration and a renewable license for my shotgun or a rifle

Blue eyes,
Not sure about that but I don't think so because I bought mine in a popular store in the Island and they didn't need any I.D. or anything for purchase.
paulie

"Fishing with an Attitude"

The only reason you would cut the line is if you or your crew is in danger. I agree with Bad Attitude, you Don't bring live sharks into your boat (makos n threshers)- marco enjoy your new bangstick

Capt.JAY

Thanks for all the feedback. I just received the bangstick I ordered 2 days ago. I'm amazed at it's simplicity. It's like Paulie says : It's a gaff handle about 5'long with a springy brass barrel at the end,and a stainless steel pin that activates the 12 guage shell. This raises more questions on my part. I own several 12 Guage shotguns which I use for hunting and target shooting at my cabin. They have alot of kickback once the shot is fired.I can visualize the bangstick doing the same,is this true? Another question that enters my mind is when I pull the trigger on my gun the firing pin has a rapid strike against the shotgun shell to activate it. Do I have to make a rapid strike manually with the bangstick? And I was always taught to keep my ammo dry. The bangstick is actually submerging the shotgun shell, does this result in mis-fires? or do I have to get the sharks head out of the water?

Marco,
there is no kick what so ever,but it is loud so be prepared.I use ear plugs. After the shark is tied off to the cleats,adjust your ropes so that his head is a few inches under the water,then just place the brass head in the brain area and just push.Occassionally I have a misfire,just change the shell.
paulie

"Fishing with an Attitude"

Paulie, Thank you again for your quick responses and sharing your experience and knowledge with me and everyone here on the forum. I would just like to add that I can see this bangstick as being a safe and highly accurate piece of equipment, far better than a pistol or shotgun that other shark fisherman use. My experiences on the offshore grounds are still rather youthful since I started a couple of years ago, but I did get my first dinner table Mako last year and was surprised at how long a shark can stay alive. I can see the bangstick as being a safe,quick and humane way of dispatching ones catch. Hopefully I will be fortunate enough this season to try it out.

Marco,

Just curious what did you pay and from where, I like the idea of not having to keep my shotgun on board especially boating into other state jurisdictions

Blue eyes, I actually came across it by chance. I was on E-bay and looked at a harpoon for sale (which I have 2 of) just to see how much they go for. I saw the picture with the harpoon and there was a bangstick laying next to it. I E-mailed the guy selling that harpoon and asked him if the bangstick was for sale. He told me it was but it was against E-bay policy to sell it,so we made a private deal. I paid $125 + $15 shipping. Ironically,I got the new Freeport Marine catalog this morning and they sell them for $169.00. Hope this helps- I'm glad I got one now.

b attitude: Last mako of the season was Oct. 23, the fish was 239 lbs. Still feel no need for a bang stick of shotgun for sharks, if you can not handle, don't do it. Any yahoo can shoot fish in a barrel. LATER