Tell Me About The Sharks

Did you see this 1,061 lb, 12'6" long Mako Shark which almost sunk one of the two boats trying to pull it in, just a few hundred feet off the beach? They caught him in Navarre, a couple of weeks ago. :shark:

SJ, that's not funny. :lol:

thefury,
If you're worried about it, don't let them swim past the second sand bar, if the water is murky, or near dusk or dawn.

If you are squating down in waist deep water, chances are you won't see the sharks which might swim near you. It isn't like JAWS, where you see the dorsel fin coming at you for a while. I don't recall ever seeing the dorsal fin of the Hammerhead which scared the ba-geezers out of about 50 moms and dads, and 70 children at Grayton last summer. The shark was only 5 ft long. :funn:

If you don't want the answer, don't ask the question! :wave:

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is this how to treat visitors to the area that are asking sincere questions?

Maybe I'm missing something here, but is this how to treat visitors to the area that are asking sincere questions?

i agree...:welcome: to the board fury...and yes there are sharks...but chances are...they are not interested in you...common sense...no jewelry...don't go too far out...and enjoy this glorious beach...the water is really incredible right now...😀

I, too, watched too many episodes of JAWS, and I used to be frightened to death of sharks, even when I didn't live within 3 hours of the water. JAWS has that effect on people. I am not posting untruthful shark stories here. Just the true ones, which are very few. You won't see me out past the first sand bar unless I'm on my kayak. Even when on my kayak out on the second sandbar, I think about big sharks, like that 12' Mako, and my heart starts beating a little faster. Last summer, I paddled maybe 20 feet behind two sharks, about 7' in length, for quite a while. I finally broke off and headed to shore. That was very cool. Uneasy at first, but then very cool.

It's good to be reminded you're not at the top of the food chain. Cars and lightning are more dangerous than sharks. More people die every year when vending machines fall on them than from shark attacks.

Tips:

1. Swim, surf, or dive with other people, and don?t move too far away from assistance.
2. Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk, and night, when some species of sharks may move inshore to feed.
3. Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding in any way. Sharks can detect blood and body fluids in extremely small concentrations.
4. Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks.
5. Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.
6. Refrain from excesive splashing; keep pets, which swim erratically, out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity.
7. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted. Do not provoke or harass a shark, even a small one.
8. If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water. Be alert to the presence of dolphins, as they are prey for some large sharks.
9. Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing. Stay away from dead animals in the water.
10. Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and follow their advice.

I never felt comfortable swimming in the Atlantic because of the dark, murky waters. At least our water is normally clear. Have a great trip and enjoy.

It's good to be reminded you're not at the top of the food chain. Cars and lightning are more dangerous than sharks. More people die every year when vending machines fall on them than from shark attacks.

Tips:

1. Swim, surf, or dive with other people, and don’t move too far away from assistance.
2. Stay out of the water at dawn, dusk, and night, when some species of sharks may move inshore to feed.
3. Do not enter the water if you have open wounds or are bleeding in any way. Sharks can detect blood and body fluids in extremely small concentrations.
4. Avoid murky waters, harbor entrances, and areas near stream mouths (especially after heavy rains), channels, or steep dropoffs. These types of waters are known to be frequented by sharks.
5. Do not wear high-contrast clothing or shiny jewelry. Sharks see contrast very well.
6. Refrain from excesive splashing; keep pets, which swim erratically, out of the water. Sharks are known to be attracted to such activity.
7. Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present, and leave the water quickly and calmly if one is sighted. Do not provoke or harass a shark, even a small one.
8. If fish or turtles start to behave erratically, leave the water. Be alert to the presence of dolphins, as they are prey for some large sharks.
9. Remove speared fish from the water or tow them a safe distance behind you. Do not swim near people fishing or spearfishing. Stay away from dead animals in the water.
10. Swim or surf at beaches patrolled by lifeguards, and follow their advice.

Great points Kurt, and for someone who had to swim well outside of the second sand bar to earn a graduate degree in Marine Sciences, I would simplify it to three simple rules: :nono1:

1. Dusk to Dawn is no swimming time- due to poor shark vision, but good feeding as fish can't see well either, go have a drink and enjoy the sunset.
2. If you are past the first sand bar you have entered the ocean and are no longer "at the beach." If you can't stand up, you are in water where they are more likely to taste you.
3. If you are fishing, you are a target, especially in murky water.

Not following those three simple rules lead to most shark attacks. In other cases, they are still around you but less likely to attack. I personally still swim to the second sand bar but only rarely at high noon and with a friend, and with full knowledge of the downside.

If you don't want the answer, don't ask the question! :wave:

😱 Ms. Kitty!! This does NOT sound like you! (somone else for sure;-), but not you! :wub:) You must be sad that you're going home soon. :(

So thefury, are you ready to go swimming?? :floor:Sorry.
Have a great vacation! (Just never swim alone either.)

😱 Ms. Kitty!! This does NOT sound like you! (somone else for sure;-), but not you! :wub:) You must be sad that you're going home soon. :(

:wave: ...thanks for the vote of convidence, but I am of the camp that if you are concerned, don't do it. Surely this is true... even I can handle a knee high dunk in the gulf.

I said it before the sharks tend to stay in Destin and Panama City. They do not come into our area. Quite frankly it has gotten too expensive for them and they would prefer to locate near more affordable areas. I find some relief when I paddle out just knowing they are not here.

I said it before the sharks tend to stay in Destin and Panama City. They do not come into our area. Quite frankly it has gotten too expensive for them and they would prefer to locate near more affordable areas. I find some relief when I paddle out just knowing they are not here.

Some sharks came before the run up and got bigger. Some came late and got over leveraged. Some sharks with deep pockets are moving in now to feed on the small sharks that are still hanging around but should have left for better feeding grounds.

I said it before the sharks tend to stay in Destin and Panama City. They do not come into our area. Quite frankly it has gotten too expensive for them and they would prefer to locate near more affordable areas. I find some relief when I paddle out just knowing they are not here.

:lolabove: :rolling: :lol:

I said it before the sharks tend to stay in Destin and Panama City. They do not come into our area. Quite frankly it has gotten too expensive for them and they would prefer to locate near more affordable areas. I find some relief when I paddle out just knowing they are not here.

Some sharks came before the run up and got bigger. Some came late and got over leveraged. Some sharks with deep pockets are moving in now to feed on the small sharks that are still hanging around but should have left for better feeding grounds.

:floor: :funn: :lol: :lolabove: :rolling:

Some sharks came before the run up and got bigger. Some came late and got over leveraged. Some sharks with deep pockets are moving in now to feed on the small sharks that are still hanging around but should have left for better feeding grounds.

:lolabove: Brilliant. :clap: :funn:

The only sharks around here that you have to worry about, hang out at Pandora's.