shark sighting

Just adds credence to the report I read that this area of the gulf, and others, are shark nurseries. Problem is, where's mom? And when do the kids leave, or do they? I guess while they keep saying the sharks are diminishing, nobody gets to go in the water because of our diminishing sharks? Maybe they should load up ours, and send them over to the Pacific?

Between this thread and shark week...

I have been in our gulf my whole life....let's just say, I've been around a while and I'm at the beach most weekends for the last seven years. This is the first time I've ever seen that. This is the first time I've ever seen a shark in our gulf. Once when I was on Coco Beach (on the Atlantic side of our state) in 1973 there were some grayt big sharks there and the life guards kept making us get out of the water....but I've never seen them here. I'll be back in the gulf, I'll just be aware of my surrounding and will outrun/outswim gooffer!

Now don't go there with me...

I'm a gardener. I go there every day (and still don't like that part of it!) I think I'd rather be swimming in the gulf.

But I still wouldn't be "staying in the water" without incident if there was a shark in there with me.

Saw a grayt t-shirt a few weeks ago:

"While you are here:
Feed the grizzly bears.
Let your kids ride the moose.
Jump off the cruise ship...

Thank you for your support,
Alaska Emergency Services."

I'm a gardener. I go there every day (and still don't like that part of it!) I think I'd rather be swimming in the gulf.

But I still wouldn't be "staying in the water" without incident if there was a shark in there with me.

Saw a grayt t-shirt a few weeks ago:

"While you are here:
Feed the grizzly bears.
Let your kids ride the moose.
Jump off the cruise ship...

Thank you for your support,
Alaska Emergency Services."

Quick question as there seem to be more sharks this year. I am a total klutz so it is rare for me not to be sporting a variety of scrapes, shaving nicks on my knees, paper cuts etc. Am I just asking for trouble if I go swimming?

Saw a grayt t-shirt a few weeks ago:

"While you are here:
Feed the grizzly bears.
Let your kids ride the moose.
Jump off the cruise ship...

Thank you for your support,
Alaska Emergency Services."

You have me thinking now. :scratch:

Quick question as there seem to be more sharks this year. I am a total klutz so it is rare for me not to be sporting a variety of scrapes, shaving nicks on my knees, paper cuts etc. Am I just asking for trouble if I go swimming?

You should avoid swimming if you are bleeding. I will tell you this, the salt water of the Gulf is great for healing wounds. Just be aware of your surrounding if you go out in it.

I would have given anything to be on paddling on my kayak and have all of those small sharks swimming around below me the other day. I cannot imagine the intense feelings that would give me. I remember my first encounter with a school of Dolphins a few years ago. I was a bit nervous as they were popping up on all sides of me. After I relaxed a bit, it was one of the moments in my life when I had a deep sense of grounding to the Earth. I image that if I had been paddling with those sharks, when it was all over, I would be much less concerned about paddling out past the second sandbar. I still hate that I saw JAWS at such an early age. That movie was just wrong, wrong, wrong!

You should avoid swimming if you are bleeding. I will tell you this, the salt water of the Gulf is great for healing wounds. Just be aware of your surrounding if you go out in it.

I would have given anything to be on paddling on my kayak and have all of those small sharks swimming around below me the other day. I cannot imagine the intense feelings that would give me. I remember my first encounter with a school of Dolphins a few years ago. I was a bit nervous as they were popping up on all sides of me. After I relaxed a bit, it was one of the moments in my life when I had a deep sense of grounding to the Earth. I image that if I had been paddling with those sharks, when it was all over, I would be much less concerned about paddling out past the second sandbar. I still hate that I saw JAWS at such an early age. That movie was just wrong, wrong, wrong!

I know it's great for wounds, just didn't want to be attracting them w/ my nicks and scrapes. I am totally paranoid about sharks and all those promos for "shark week" are not helping one bit!

I have been so disappointed when I've specifically paddled out to the 2nd sandbar to see sharks people have told me are there! I'm okay w/ them when I KNOW they're there/am expecting them, just don't care for the element of surprise for anything "above" me on the food chain ;-).

Yes, being surprised by a shark, screw that!

A friend sent my husband a photo of several 6-8 foot bull sharks about 15 feet offshore from a few days ago at Dune Allen. Apparently the beach was closed for a while.

On the subject of not going in the water if you're bleeding, I've found that if I wear red toenail polish, the little fishies bite my toes. But if I wear a neutral color, they don't. Maybe this is a stupid theory and just a coincidence?

Fish may be thinking that your red toenails are crap roe. Fisherman also place little red colored beads near the hook to help attrack fish to the bait. I don't think it has anything to do with mistaking toenails with blood. I bet if you had a French manicure, the fish would still go after your nails. ;-) They like the contrast.

Fish may be thinking that your red toenails are crap roe. Fisherman also place little red colored beads near the hook to help attrack fish to the bait. I don't think it has anything to do with mistaking toenails with blood. I bet if you had a French manicure, the fish would still go after your nails. ;-) They like the contrast.

Interesting. Thanks for letting me know that my theory has some validity.

I'm a runner and a violinist, so I can't keep any of my nails (finger or toe) long enough for a French manicure.

No! I love my red/bright toes! Now I have to coordinate my pedicure to avoid fish nibbles, it's getting too complicated!

Any validity to my using the cannonball entry method (more at Crab Island/the Bay then the beach obviously) to scare off any wildlife lurking below?

yeah do it, do it, scooterbug, cannonballs! I too have wondered about my red toenails and have taken it off cuz of that reason but the little fish just keep on kissin' anyhow

I always do cannonballs whenever possible! It comes from a childhood full of cold lakes/rivers and early morning swim practices in unheated outdoor pools! Best way to get the shock of cold water over with . Plus they're so funn!

Any validity to my using the cannonball entry method (more at Crab Island/the Bay then the beach obviously) to scare off any wildlife lurking below?

None whatsoever. Think about the shrimp on the end of the hook when it is tossed out into the water. (cannonball!) The sharks are attracted to loud splashing sounds. "dinner time!"

I have been in our gulf my whole life....let's just say, I've been around a while and I'm at the beach most weekends for the last seven years. This is the first time I've ever seen that. This is the first time I've ever seen a shark in our gulf. Once when I was on Coco Beach (on the Atlantic side of our state) in 1973 there were some grayt big sharks there and the life guards kept making us get out of the water....but I've never seen them here. I'll be back in the gulf, I'll just be aware of my surrounding and will outrun/outswim gooffer!

BB - Afunn told me about these sharks at watersound beach. and I was amazed to hear this because just about one week before, I was out on that very beach (in front of the club) with girlfriends and kids. My girlfriend told me the very same story - dozens of sharks chasing bait fish - just the day before - around 4pm. wonder if there is something about that spot? I would love to see that.

I do love the beach, but I can swim in a pool. its not just sharks. I don't like swimming with sea creatures in general, as gorgeous and incredible as they are... I have seen sharks a few times, but have heard quite a few local stories that just make my hair stand up like a shark fin on my head.

None whatsoever. Think about the shrimp on the end of the hook when it is tossed out into the water. (cannonball!) The sharks are attracted to loud splashing sounds. "dinner time!"

Phooey! Guess I'll just stick to my method of being closer to the shore/boat than the others. Don't think I can break that cannonball habit.

BB - Afunn told me about these sharks at watersound beach. and I was amazed to hear this because just about one week before, I was out on that very beach (in front of the club) with girlfriends and kids. My girlfriend told me the very same story - dozens of sharks chasing bait fish - just the day before - around 4pm. wonder if there is something about that spot? I would love to see that.

I do love the beach, but I can swim in a pool. its not just sharks. I don't like swimming with sea creatures in general, as gorgeous and incredible as they are... I have seen sharks a few times, but have heard quite a few local stories that just make my hair stand up like a shark fin on my head.

Tootsie I couldn't agree more. I like the beach, but if I want to swim it's in the pool.

Tootsie I couldn't agree more. I like the beach, but if I want to swim it's in the pool.

I think I outgrew pools. Too many chemicals which damage the skin.

I think I outgrew pools. Too many chemicals which damage the skin.

I agree. This is the first summer that Kate has sun streaked blond hair instead of bright lime green from chlorine.

I think I outgrew pools. Too many chemicals which damage the skin.

True enough. Sharks-chemicals...so many ways to get hurt.

I think I outgrew pools. Too many chemicals which damage the skin.

I agree. This is the first summer that Kate has sun streaked blond hair instead of bright lime green from chlorine.

Last time I was down I went to a pool that was salt water instead of chlorine--my first time in one of those! Very cool.

But then we went somewhere else and swam in a chlorine pool. Got kind of cracked up at Hop--he said that he likes chlorine. Said it just felt "clearer." (Of course, he spent the first 18 years of his life marinating in chlorine.)

I think I'll swim in anything that doesn't kill me instantly...

(Which brings us back to the topic at hand?)

Last time I was down I went to a pool that was salt water instead of chlorine--my first time in one of those! Very cool.

But then we went somewhere else and swam in a chlorine pool. Got kind of cracked up at Hop--he said that he likes chlorine. Said it just felt "clearer." (Of course, he spent the first 18 years of his life marinating in chlorine.)

I think I'll swim in anything that doesn't kill me instantly...

(Which brings us back to the topic at hand?)

So that's what happened to him!!