Large(12 Foot) Bull Shark at Blue Mountain Beach Today

**ItzKatzTime** · 07-27-2009, 08:39 PM

Around 5-ish....lifeguards whistle everyone out of the water as a 12 foot Bull Shark was swimming back and forth in between the two sandbars. One of the lifeguards had to go after a man snorkeling for sand dollars who did not hear the whistle. His wife was frantic on the beach and everyone else too. Two red flags immediately went up.

I don't know this life guard's name, but he deserves an award for jumping on his rescue board and going out past the shark and bringing this man in.

He had to get off his board and help the man on and then jump on himself and paddle in. He said as they were coming through waist to chest high water the shark swam right under the board.....saying that he was face to face with it.

The shark swam around a while then took off straight back into the deep. Apparently this is how he entered....straight on, not coming down the beach. If you were there maybe you can add to this.

Thank heavens no one was hurt.

**mom of zoro** · 07-27-2009, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

Around 5-ish....lifeguards whistle everyone out of the water as a 12 foot Bull Shark was swimming back and forth in between the two sandbars. One of the lifeguards had to go after a man snorkeling for sand dollars who did not hear the whistle. His wife was frantic on the beach and everyone else too. Two red flags immediately went up.

I don't know this life guard's name, but he deserves an award for jumping on his rescue board and going out past the shark and bringing this man in.

He had to get off his board and help the man on and then jump on himself and paddle in. He said as they were coming through waist to chest high water the shark swam right under the board.....saying that he was face to face with it.

The shark swam around a while then took off straight back into the deep. Apparently this is how he entered....straight on, not coming down the beach. If you were there maybe you can add to this.

Thank heavens no one was hurt.

Gives me the heebie jeebies reading this! That's one reason not to go out in the water with heavy june grass and not purchase tinted goggles!

**jack fish** · 07-28-2009, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by mom of zoro

Gives me the heebie jeebies reading this! That's one reason not to go out in the water with heavy june grass and not purchase tinted goggles!

kind of exciting.

**Gidget** · 07-28-2009, 08:31 AM

THANKS! (I think lol)

Bravo to brave lifeguard indeed!

The bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, also known as the whaler shark, Zambezi shark or unofficially known as Zambi in Africa and Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a shark common worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers. The bull shark is well known for its unpredictable, often aggressive behavior. Many scientists agree that since bull sharks often dwell in shallow waters, they may be more dangerous to humans than any other species of shark,and that they, tiger sharks and great white sharks are the three shark species most likely to attack humans.

**mikecatadjuster** · 07-28-2009, 11:20 AM

That's a fear I have when snorkeling out there. One thing is interesting though. I had been seeing nurse sharks more times than not when I went out, but the last 10 or 12 times I've been out I haven't seen a single one.

It makes me think that something has changed, whether it is the tides, the water temperature (it has felt colder), or if the migratory habits of the nurse shark has brought it to another depth/area.

But thankfully I've not had the heart stopping sight of a big bull shark to this point. Not that there can be an answer to this, but I wonder what the ratio of sight-to-bite encounters would be with bull sharks and swimmers. I have to think that they come in andf see swimmers many times with no consequence, but I also know that attacks do occur.

I wonder if the shark would have come near the snorkeler if it would have had lunch or not. Regardless, good work by the lifeguard.

**Geo** · 07-28-2009, 11:51 AM

I had an up close and personal in the Gulf with a 5-6 foot bull about a year and a half ago. Long story short- If he wanted me he could've had me. I don't think they are interested in us.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-28-2009, 12:32 PM

Probably true, Geo, but I liken it to going down the buffet line at a meat and three every day for lunch, and one day, deciding to taste a new dish.

**Geo** · 07-28-2009, 01:26 PM

Good point...

**fishheadspin** · 07-28-2009, 01:42 PM

saw 3 large sharks laying on the bottom at the color change. they laid motionless while i sat over them fighting a king mackeral. i figured they had to have been nurse sharks. Also we had a 4 foot blacktip swim within 10 feet of the beach this morning. I laughed my butt off when i heard a lady in a condo say it was near 10 foot long! ha ha

**SWGB** · 07-28-2009, 11:44 PM

We do get nurse sharks here on a regular basis. We actually get a lot of different sea life here that you don't normally hear about.

Whale Shark Spotted Off Panama City Beach Coast

Most people didn't hear about it since it was spotted on July 4th. Here's the video:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkTwmcg2kIc"]YouTube - Panama City SCUBA Diving with a Whale Shark[/ame]

Finally since they filmed it here's the plug:

Panama City Dive Charters - Scuba diving charters, specializing in wreck and spearfishing dives off Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida.

**Hop** · 07-29-2009, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by SWGB

We do get nurse sharks here on a regular basis. We actually get a lot of different sea life here that you don't normally hear about.

Whale Shark Spotted Off Panama City Beach Coast

Most people didn't hear about it since it was spotted on July 4th. Here's the video:

Finally since they filmed it here's the plug:

Panama City Dive Charters - Scuba diving charters, specializing in wreck and spearfishing dives off Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida.

thanks for sharing swgb...what an awesome sight.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-29-2009, 08:58 AM

Whale shark or not, I am not riding on the tail of a shark that is over ten feet long! (probably not even one which is two feet long.) CHOMP!

**JUL** · 07-29-2009, 11:02 AM

I wonder if we will ever see the squid coming on shore like on the Pacific Coast. I think I would rather encounter a shark than a squid and it's tentacles!

**ItzKatzTime** · 07-29-2009, 11:41 AM

SWGB thanks for that plug about Panama City Dive Charters. I had not heard of them. Sounds like they would be a great trip for those who dive.

**SWGB** · 07-29-2009, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Whale shark or not, I am not riding on the tail of a shark that is over ten feet long! (probably not even one which is two feet long.) CHOMP!

Nurse sharks go after krill (sp?) and your a pretty big guy so I believe you are safe. Never heard of anyone being gummed to death.

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

SWGB thanks for that plug about Panama City Dive Charters. I had not heard of them. Sounds like they would be a great trip for those who dive.

Yes, but they will admit that there's no guarantee you'll see a nurse shark. This was a fluke really. They were actually just finishing up a dive when they saw and immediately jumped back in.

**jack S** · 07-29-2009, 05:08 PM

There should be an award presented to the lifeguard! Outstanding job! It ain't no pool out there!

**JustBeachy** · 07-29-2009, 11:00 PM

Boy oh boy, BMB gets all the action these days...

**Imatrucountrygirl** · 07-30-2009, 03:23 AM

Originally Posted by SWGB

We do get nurse sharks here on a regular basis. We actually get a lot of different sea life here that you don't normally hear about.

Whale Shark Spotted Off Panama City Beach Coast

Most people didn't hear about it since it was spotted on July 4th. Here's the video:

Finally since they filmed it here's the plug:

Panama City Dive Charters - Scuba diving charters, specializing in wreck and spearfishing dives off Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida.

THanks for sharing this... I was actually in Sowal on the 4th

, had heard about the siting, but never knew there was any video.... I have tried for years to dive with one.. it is just so rare..

**Imatrucountrygirl** · 07-30-2009, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Whale shark or not, I am not riding on the tail of a shark that is over ten feet long! (probably not even one which is two feet long.) CHOMP!

Whale Sharks are actually one of the most docile creatures eating only plankton and jelly fish... BOY OH BOY.. I only wish I had been there.. a one in a lifetime experience.....

**Imatrucountrygirl** · 07-30-2009, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

Around 5-ish....lifeguards whistle everyone out of the water as a 12 foot Bull Shark was swimming back and forth in between the two sandbars. One of the lifeguards had to go after a man snorkeling for sand dollars who did not hear the whistle. His wife was frantic on the beach and everyone else too. Two red flags immediately went up.

I don't know this life guard's name, but he deserves an award for jumping on his rescue board and going out past the shark and bringing this man in.

He had to get off his board and help the man on and then jump on himself and paddle in. He said as they were coming through waist to chest high water the shark swam right under the board.....saying that he was face to face with it.

The shark swam around a while then took off straight back into the deep. Apparently this is how he entered....straight on, not coming down the beach. If you were there maybe you can add to this.

Thank heavens no one was hurt.

First and foremost KUDOS to the lifeguard...but while our beaches are the most beautiful beaches in the world.. it is a fact.. they are out there.. most of the time..we just don't always see them... This happens every couple of years, with an influx of more than usual sightings...and THANK THE LORD, no one was injured.. But with the sargassum (SP?) grass acting as a nursery for all the little creatures.. you can find almost anything in that grass, from baby lobsters, fish, turtles and etc... which brings the fish to feed on the babies, therefore you have the bigger fish to feed on them and it only works up on the food chain of the sea...I am an avid diver and I have gone LOOKING for sharks.and most of the time, not finding them....they are dangerous, but.usually they are more scared of us than we are of them...accidents do happen.. but you have a better chance of being run over by a vehicle walking across the street, than you do of being bitten by a shark..I am thrilled by their beauty and also have a healthy respect for the awesome creatures, all of them,, of the sea...WE have to remember though.. sharks have outlived the dinosaurs..and that is something in this day and time....ENJOY our beautiful beaches.......with respect of course

**Imatrucountrygirl** · 07-30-2009, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

SWGB thanks for that plug about Panama City Dive Charters. I had not heard of them. Sounds like they would be a great trip for those who dive.

They are an excellent operation. The Dive Shop is owned/operated by Mike Gomez who has years of experience in Panama City Beach. I use to manage Hydrospace Dive Shop, but have recently found out that PCDC has bought out Hydrospace and all their boats.. I highly recommend them...If you are certified, by all means go see him and if you are not, he is an instructor too and can teach you this wonderful sport.... GO BLOW SOME BUBBLES..it's GREAT fun....

**tistheseason** · 07-30-2009, 07:15 AM

If I was going to swim with a shark, it would be a whale shark. Although I have to question the fact that they eat only plankton. They are so big. . .how can someone eat that much plankton. I bet they supplement every once in a while with a fish or small person!

**Smiling JOe** · 07-30-2009, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Imatrucountrygirl

Whale Sharks are actually one of the most docile creatures eating only plankton and jelly fish... BOY OH BOY.. I only wish I had been there.. a one in a lifetime experience.....

...and elephants and hippos are vegetarians, but you wont find me petting wild elephants or hippos.

**SWGB** · 07-30-2009, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by tistheseason

If I was going to swim with a shark, it would be a whale shark. Although I have to question the fact that they eat only plankton. They are so big. . .how can someone eat that much plankton. I bet they supplement every once in a while with a fish or small person!

Well Blue Whales eat Krill.

Blue Whale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's not exclusively Krill for Whale Sharks.

Whale shark - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**JustBeachy** · 07-31-2009, 02:26 PM

I like sharks. They are beautiful creatures. I also like to admire them from the beach, about 5-10 feet from the waters edge.

**happy2Bme** · 07-31-2009, 03:13 PM

I doubt that fishing for whale sharks with krill as bait would be near as exciting as fishing for alligators with poodles as bait!

**ItzKatzTime** · 07-31-2009, 06:57 PM

What's really scary is flying along the beach and seeing just how many sharks are out there.

Even Parasailing gives you a bird's eye view of the sharks.

**SWGB** · 08-01-2009, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by happy2Bme

I doubt that fishing for whale sharks with krill as bait would be near as exciting as fishing for alligators with poodles as bait!

You know it's a poodle that was responsible for the do not feed the gators signs?

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

What's really scary is flying along the beach and seeing just how many sharks are out there.

Even Parasailing gives you a bird's eye view of the sharks.

There not always there. Me and scooterbug flew with FFF from SanDestin to St. Joe along the coast and saw only 1-2. Those were even kind of in dispute as well.

**Capt Pat** · 08-16-2009, 08:36 PM

Hi guys I just found this forum from the incoming links to my website when the whale shark video was posted (thanks for the plug). The whale shrks was an opportunity of a lifetime, at least so we thought but it turns out that they have been spotted quite a few times this Summer from Orange Beach to PCB and everywhere in between. I know that locally several of the dive operations have been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time like we were on the 4th of July. A point of clarification though, we are not the same as Panama City Dive Center who bought the old Hydrospace boats, but rather we are a smaller boat and certification operation with no retail shop.... we just pretty much just dive.

As an avid spearfisherman I have been in the water with many aggressive sharks and they are only ever trying to get our fish. When we are just diving they are seldom around and never aggressive. While I have no doubt the shark sighting at the beach that day was exciting and the lifeguard's actions were indeed selfless, there was never any real danger to the swimmer and I'd go further and bet the shark was more likely 8' if it was a bull. Bulls in the double digits are very very rare especially in the gulf. As to the question of a ratio to encounters with swimmers versus bites...... its a really lopsided ratio. Spearfishing on scuba gear means we shoot, kill and keep our catch on us while we continue our dive. Wounded fish struggling on a spearshaft send out a vibration through the water up to a quarter of a mile out in all direction which is pretty much like ringing a dinner bell to a shark. So here we are, with dead fish attached to us and curious sharks cruising around to see if they can get a meal.... and everyone spearo I know has all his or her fingers toes and other appendages still firmly attached.

I boils down to the fact that most attacks are simply mistaken identity or curiosity. Most human infants put stuff in their mouth's to figure out what they are dealing with, and with no hands, sharks are even more likely to take an investigative nibble on an unfamiliar object. Its hardly an attack but if the shark is large enough it can still be fatal to us. The only people I know who have been bit by sharks or barracudas while diving were messing with them first.

Also in my experience with local waters the limestone reefs offshore of Sea Grove Beach are home to more adult bull sharks than anywhere else in the Panhandle, yet some how everyone seems to survive their beach visit year after year. Its only the rare exception and the primal nature of the fear it arouses in us that so captures our imagination when it comes to sharks. It would be far more prudent to worry about being hit by a drunk driver, something that is statistically much more likely and more deadly.

-Capt Pat Green
Panama City Dive Charters

**Smiling JOe** · 08-17-2009, 09:40 AM

How far out are these "limestone reefs from Seagrove?"

**Capt Pat** · 08-17-2009, 07:24 PM

The ones I frequent are 3 miles from shore and some of the best snapper fishing and spearfishing in the area. There are more further out but I am unaware of any closer than that. Many boat Captains refer to them as the "Pyramids" due to their ^ shape on a bottom machine at speed.

**Imatrucountrygirl** · 08-17-2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by Capt Pat

Hi guys I just found this forum from the incoming links to my website when the whale shark video was posted (thanks for the plug). The whale shrks was an opportunity of a lifetime, at least so we thought but it turns out that they have been spotted quite a few times this Summer from Orange Beach to PCB and everywhere in between. I know that locally several of the dive operations have been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time like we were on the 4th of July. A point of clarification though, we are not the same as Panama City Dive Center who bought the old Hydrospace boats, but rather we are a smaller boat and certification operation with no retail shop.... we just pretty much just dive.

As an avid spearfisherman I have been in the water with many aggressive sharks and they are only ever trying to get our fish. When we are just diving they are seldom around and never aggressive. While I have no doubt the shark sighting at the beach that day was exciting and the lifeguard's actions were indeed selfless, there was never any real danger to the swimmer and I'd go further and bet the shark was more likely 8' if it was a bull. Bulls in the double digits are very very rare especially in the gulf. As to the question of a ratio to encounters with swimmers versus bites...... its a really lopsided ratio. Spearfishing on scuba gear means we shoot, kill and keep our catch on us while we continue our dive. Wounded fish struggling on a spearshaft send out a vibration through the water up to a quarter of a mile out in all direction which is pretty much like ringing a dinner bell to a shark. So here we are, with dead fish attached to us and curious sharks cruising around to see if they can get a meal.... and everyone spearo I know has all his or her fingers toes and other appendages still firmly attached.

I boils down to the fact that most attacks are simply mistaken identity or curiosity. Most human infants put stuff in their mouth's to figure out what they are dealing with, and with no hands, sharks are even more likely to take an investigative nibble on an unfamiliar object. Its hardly an attack but if the shark is large enough it can still be fatal to us. The only people I know who have been bit by sharks or barracudas while diving were messing with them first.

Also in my experience with local waters the limestone reefs offshore of Sea Grove Beach are home to more adult bull sharks than anywhere else in the Panhandle, yet some how everyone seems to survive their beach visit year after year. Its only the rare exception and the primal nature of the fear it arouses in us that so captures our imagination when it comes to sharks. It would be far more prudent to worry about being hit by a drunk driver, something that is statistically much more likely and more deadly.

-Capt Pat Green
Panama City Dive Charters

I apologize to you for making that error on your diving operation. I lived in PCB for 11 years and managed Hydrospace for 5.. and I guess I am out of the loop, assuming they were talking about PCDC... KUDOS to you... and thanks for the video....

**Capt Pat** · 08-17-2009, 11:10 PM

No worries! I used to dive with Hydrospace and PCDC certified me back in 1992. I chose my name because it is the best search engine phrase I could find for my company.... I knew it would be alittle similar to Gomez's operation but he doesn't seem to mind. You are hardly the first person to get me mixed up with him but its alittle late now for me to change my name.

Thanks for the kudos and thanks, we were just in the right place at the right time. Glad she stuck around for the photo op and 15 seconds of fame.

**Gidget** · 08-25-2009, 05:18 PM

Thanks for starting this thread. Most interesting to me since this will be the beach I frequent. In fact, was there today. Met the lifeguard who pulled the man from the water onto his board. His name is Don. Here he is with Andy another lifeguard. (Don is the one standing) We heard the entire story today and it was fascinating. Don is a veteran and therefore trained to act when need be. He's a humble nice young man and when I swam laps today out in front of him I felt very safe.

Gidget

PS Going to post some pics of Blue Mtn taken today on another thread. It was an AWESOME green flag perfect day!

**Gidget** · 08-27-2009, 09:16 AM

I might add to the above post that Don said he saw bull sharks all the time! Just not one that acted THAT crazy! Chills....

**kimangelk** · 08-30-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by ItzKatzTime

Around 5-ish....lifeguards whistle everyone out of the water as a 12 foot Bull Shark was swimming back and forth in between the two sandbars. One of the lifeguards had to go after a man snorkeling for sand dollars who did not hear the whistle. His wife was frantic on the beach and everyone else too. Two red flags immediately went up.

I don't know this life guard's name, but he deserves an award for jumping on his rescue board and going out past the shark and bringing this man in.

He had to get off his board and help the man on and then jump on himself and paddle in. He said as they were coming through waist to chest high water the shark swam right under the board.....saying that he was face to face with it.

The shark swam around a while then took off straight back into the deep. Apparently this is how he entered....straight on, not coming down the beach. If you were there maybe you can add to this.

Thank heavens no one was hurt.

This Lifeguard is my nephew Don, and I do believe he is a Hero, he serves our Country and he watches out for our neighbors lives, while they're out having a great time in the water! Way to go Don, Aunt Kim loves you and I am very proud of You! Woo Hoo for Don!

**kimangelk** · 08-30-2009, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Gidget

Thanks for starting this thread. Most interesting to me since this will be the beach I frequent. In fact, was there today. Met the lifeguard who pulled the man from the water onto his board. His name is Don. Here he is with Andy another lifeguard. (Don is the one standing) We heard the entire story today and it was fascinating. Don is a veteran and therefore trained to act when need be. He's a humble nice young man and when I swam laps today out in front of him I felt very safe.

Gidget

PS Going to post some pics of Blue Mtn taken today on another thread. It was an AWESOME green flag perfect day!

This is my nephew Don, such a handsome young man, isn't he? Well I agree with these post that give him accolades, he serves our Country in the military and he watches out for peoples lives on the beach. I'm so proud of you Don, Aunt Kim loves you so much and I Thank God he kept you safe and the person you rescued from the water safe!!!!

**Gidget** · 08-31-2009, 07:04 AM

You must be proud!

He is a handsome, fit young man! He was very happy to tell us the entire story again which was fascinating. I wonder, did the paper do a story on this? To hear it all from his perspective is incredible. How he saw the shadow and figured it was a school of fish and then realized what it was by the way the shark was thrashing. He got everyone out except this one guy who was snorkeling and I guess didn't hear him yell out. He pulled the guy up by the seat of his shorts just as the shark went under the board! IMAGINE! In fact, Saturday we were at the same spot out to second sand bar snorkeling and a lifeguard came out just to check on us since we were out a ways. All of a sudden he looked behind me and said "Get up on the board!" I headed straight for it and beat my husband and son to the spot on the board. The guard said it was a black tip shark that at first he thought was a dolphin. Turned out it left as quick as it came and I missed seeing it, but isn't it fantastic that I can go to Blue Mtn and have these well trained young men (and women) happily doing a great job! Makes me feel very very safe to swim and snorkel. It is a huge plus for the area.

Thanks for sharing about Don! Glad I snapped that pic!

G