I'm not sure if I'll make it to any tournaments this year, but in the spirit of good sportsmanship I wanted to ask a question. I have a Zodiac inflatable motor boat for dropping baits. But in my few years of shark fishing, I haven't really heard of anyone else in Florida using one. Everyone uses kayaks. So while I effortlessly rev my engine out into the surf and bring a bait out 500 yards in less than 5 minutes, another fisherman might paddle their butt off fighting winds, waves and currents taking 15 minutes to drop a bait half that distance.
Understand that the reason I got the Zodiac was for my own personal safety, I've been beat up pretty bad kayaking baits. Read more about that here if you want: http://www.southfloridasharkclub.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8247
But I'm seriously interested in your opinions. Because if I catch the winning shark, I want to know before hand if anyone would think I cheated.
You cheated......
Jk, I'm my opinion everyone has the ability to buy a boat/dingy just like yours if they want to, but at the same time it is a boat free tournament, so definitely up to the officials.
The use of a zodiac or any type of boat you use to deploy baits does not give you "an unfair advantage" in a tournament setting or otherwise,being a skilled well prepared shark fishermen is the best anyone can do to have any type of advantage.Most of the beaches around Florida ban any type of gas engine boats on them so that is usually why most use kayaks.Do your research and avoid a hassle with the cops or park rangers.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger