shark sightings

[fish-aholic]

LMAO@yak-jack

[els1968]

Hi everyone!

I enjoy reading all the shark fishing posts here, and found this thread from a few years ago. Wanted to see if in the past three years anyone has had any near-shore encounters with Bulls or Tigers

[ffemtreed]

I haven't heard of any tigers or bulls being pulled in from the shore YET. Plenty of sand tigers, but not real tigers.

And trust me its not from lack of trying!


Did hear of couple baby hammerheads get pulled in though.

[Steve]

I agree with FF, haven't heard of any this year or last. Although, they THINK there was a GW sighting at Long Island this week.
Bulls can be found in the Chessie Bay, they love to tear up the Skate in the shallows, especially around Solomon's Island. Are they there this year? Don't know, may be too early yet....

But if either of the species are mixing in with us, I don't want to know about it.
I really don't care to mess with a Bull while I'm in the water.

[els1968]

Thanks for the quick reply--and I would like to hear anyone else's experience as well.

I've been vacationing in OC for about 6 years now, and have always thought about this (though it hasn't stopped me from going in the water). I found your site a few years ago and recalled reading a few cryptic statements like "if the beach goers only knew" and "From a high rise balcony I saw a large tiger outside the breakers." I know what the "official" line is regrading this stuff ("Rare") but I wanted to hear what you guys on the beach had to say.

I live in CT, and we have mountain lions up here. The state will not officially recognize them, but there are plenty of pieces of evidence to convince you that they are here. I wonder if the same is true about the presence of large sharks close to shore????? Food for thought . . . .

[Steve]

The "if the swimmers only knew" statement is a reflection on the undue fear that ppl have of the unseen and the unknown/misunderstood. They fear what they can't see and what they don't understand.

The unseen is obviously whatever is beneath the surface. The unknown is their lack of knowledge of critters inhabiting this big round ball. They think a Sand Tiger will rip your leg off, when in fact, it's teeth don't necessarily rip, they puncture. They are interested in fish to impale, not us. The name gives it a bad rap, well, it has a nice set of dentures too. Same goes for most other species of Charkey, they don't want us! I know of only one ST bite, and that was actually on land!

I'm a little apprehensive of what is ON the bottom, namely Skates and Rays. ST bites and Ray stings seem to run in a certain family here.
Oh, and the Ray/Skate sting occurred on land too!

[captcl]

Large cownose rays and skates outside the breakers and offshore could mean something else!.........................COBIA!!!!!
I better go check!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by els1968

Thanks for the quick reply--and I would like to hear anyone else's experience as well.

I've been vacationing in OC for about 6 years now, and have always thought about this (though it hasn't stopped me from going in the water). I found your site a few years ago and recalled reading a few cryptic statements like "if the beach goers only knew" and "From a high rise balcony I saw a large tiger outside the breakers." I know what the "official" line is regrading this stuff ("Rare") but I wanted to hear what you guys on the beach had to say.

I live in CT, and we have mountain lions up here. The state will not officially recognize them, but there are plenty of pieces of evidence to convince you that they are here. I wonder if the same is true about the presence of large sharks close to shore????? Food for thought . . . .

I just read this thread again and it was kind of funny how our opinions differ. Here is mine with a few statistics, but mostly opinion.

Yes, there are many kinds of sharks swimming around in the "family swim zone" just off the Maryland and Delaware beaches. They are there during the day, during the night, in the summer and the winter. There are larger sharks that show up at certain times of the year and there are smaller sharks most of the year. In my fishing experience, the smaller sharks significantly outnumber the larger sharks and I don't fish for the small ones...

And guess what? They are there for a reason: To eat other surf dwelling critters like skates, rays, kingfish, croakers, mullet, bluefish, bunker, jellyfish, sand fleas and other marine life.

According to the University of Florida, there has never been a reported shark attack in Maryland. Furthermore, last year (2007) there was only ONE confirmed unprovoked shark fatality in the WORLD.
I grew up swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, kayaking and have never felt threatened by a shark and only on a few occasions have even seen them when not fishing for them.

Certainly, there are shark attacks throughout the world and most of them occur in the United States. But think about how many millions of people swim, surf, snorkel and wade out to the very top of their waders to make the longest possible cast, and don't get attacked.

I think the major factor here is media induced fear. Whether it is from an old, fictional novel turned into a movie about an enormous, man-eating, family-following Great White or a whole week on TV full of re-created footage about stories that are based on true events, documentaries, excellent and rare video capturing the extremes of the most fascinating things sharks do... Just like every other creature in the ocean: ...Eat

As far as state officials hiding the fact that sharks are in the ocean...? I don't see any reason why they should have to bring it up.

If you should be worried about a few things at the beach that may cause you pain, you are much more likely to backstroke into a nasty jellyfish or maybe even stomp (as you run from the sand into the surf as fast as humanly possible)... a Stingray.

[els1968]

"

According to the University of Florida, there has never been a reported shark attack in Maryland. Furthermore, last year (2007) there was only ONE confirmed unprovoked shark fatality in the WORLD.
I grew up swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, kayaking and have never felt threatened by a shark and only on a few occasions have even seen them when not fishing for them.

Certainly, there are shark attacks throughout the world and most of them occur in the United States. But think about how many millions of people swim, surf, snorkel and wade out to the very top of their waders to make the longest possible cast, and don't get attacked."

Well thought out; I myself have thought the same thing (though the University of Florida does report a few unprovoked attacks for Delaware--sadly, no location or species given)--an enormous amount of people are in the water and no attacks. Odds are certainly on the swimmers' side here.

My original idea, though, was to get some anecdotal evidence from you guys who know more than most about what is swimming out there. When I hear stories about kayaks getting bumped, I'm curious as to what you folks have seen!!!!!!!!!

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Steve

. ST bites and Ray stings seem to run in a certain family here.
Oh, and the Ray/Skate sting occurred on land too!

It was actually a Sandbar shark and they were both freak accidents.. on land...my mistake...

[Sam]

Originally Posted by els1968

"
My original idea, though, was to get some anecdotal evidence from you guys who know more than most about what is swimming out there. When I hear stories about kayaks getting bumped, I'm curious as to what you folks have seen!!!!!!!!!

Hmm... That's a pretty big request... Fisherman and their secret stories are very valuable!

All I can recommend is using common sense, good judgment and never look a Mountain Lion in the eyes.

And remember: both statistics and stories tend to change every now and then...

[Steve]

Well, ok, you asked....

It was a warm foggy night with no moon. The sea was calm and I was alone, about 1000 yards out with a bloody Tuna head on my tiny yak. As I paddled, the paddle stirred up the green glow in the water.

The blood from the head was pouring into the water as I sauntered out further. I stopped, as I was barely able to see the bonfire I lit to guide me back in.

As I turned around to detach the bait, the breeze suddenly stopped and it became eerily quiet. I heard a swish in the water just off to my right. I turned in that direction to see what it was..... It was dark out there, pitch black. The light from my fire was gone, land was nowhere in sight. I felt a shiver go up my spine.

I dismissed it as I dropped the bait in the water. Then I heard it again, SWISH! This time it was right behind me!!!
The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up.
Then I felt a -BUMP- under the yak. Every nerve in my body tingled, shivers ran up and down my body. I wanted out, back on land. Alas, land was not to be seen....

I peered into the darkness, frozen with fear, I was being stalked, I was the prey.... I felt so small and vulnerable sitting in the yak, mere inches out of the water. Suddenly the night turned cold, very cold. I was alone and there was no help.

Another swish of water, this time to my left. It was circling me. It was not interested in the Tuna head, I was the bait. Then it happened.....

Suddenly, it came up under the yak and turned me 90 degrees to the left! I tried to tell myself it was just a wave. I couldn't lie to myself, and that lie was reinforced with another THUD! No, this can't be happening.... Not to me, it happens to someone else!

Then a rogue wave strikes me broadside and I go in the water.
I lost the yak!!!!! Oh sheets!!!!
I look for the Apex predator, expecting a strike at any moment. I wondered if it would hurt. Would it take a leg or my torso? Will it take me down to the cold, dark depths or kill me on the surface?

There! On top of that wave!! I see the yak now that I have the fire in sight! I quickly swam to it (more like ran on top of the water) and flipped it right-side up and scrambled on.

I paddled in and splayed out on the sand, thankful that I made it to the shore unscathed. I pull the yak up the beach, set the drag, crack open a fresh beer and settle back.


Sound like a good story?
Enjoy it?
Good!!!!
IT AIN'T TRUE!!!!!!!
LOL!!
(well, I have had bumps and got turned once)

[Sam]

Subtle comic relief.

[_4Runner_]

This year we have definitely seen more Sharks so far this year, than i can remember since i was a kid. Back in the mid 80's you would see so many people catching the same sand tigers over and over again that they would just be left on the beach. It really seemed like they were gone for at least 10 years, but have definitely returned.

I'm always more worried about Bluefish when i go for a swim than any sharks in the area.

[scavengerj]

Let all the swimmers know there are plenty of big sharks out there. Tell them how many you've caught, spread the rumors! It'll just mean more room to fish

DMS #525
OBPA