A 3 to 4 ft shark was sighted off Blue Mountain Beach at 9:30 this morning. I was really suprised how close he came in. There were a few people fishing which raises the question what do you do with a shark if you catch it? Let him go? or invite him to be the main guest a dinner?
RP
Replies
55
Beach Fanatic
An experienced diver once told me to punch a shark in the nose really hard if they bite you?????? Have no idea if this is true and even less if I would have quickness to think so fast if I ever saw a shark coming at me.....
Go for the gills........seriously! If you have ever seen footage of a seaturtle being harassed by a shark they always nip at the shark's gills knowing it is the most sensative area.
Naturally, I would be surprised if anyone will have the presence of mind to remember this advice next time they are being bitten by a shark so we'll just file it away under the interesting but useless category, lol.
SoWal Expert
I think the reason Miramar is mentioned a lot is because this is where a lot of tourists are - thereby the odds of seeing the shark are greater. If the shark swims by a beach with no one on it - does that mean he wasn't there???
Also, Miramar is the location where the young girl was killed by a shark last year or the year before (I cannot remember which).
While trying to avoid getting bitten ("attacked") by a shark, think twice before using one of these seals as your floatation device. I hear that seals are tasty:
Beach Lover
The girl was killed 2 years ago (June 25) and it was a little east of Mirimar, at Camping on the Gulf.
SoWal Expert
The girl was killed 2 years ago (June 25) and it was a little east of Mirimar, at Camping on the Gulf.I thought that beach was where Camping on the Gulf was still referred to as Miramar Beach, which starts near the west end of 30A.
Beach Fanatic
I thought that beach was where Camping on the Gulf was still referred to as Miramar Beach, which starts near the west end of 30A.
It is referred to as Miramar. Santa Rosa Beach starts practically in the middle of Sandestin running east.
SoWal Expert
It is referred to as Miramar. Santa Rosa Beach starts practically in the middle of Sandestin running east.It all is a bit confusing. The other day, I saw a road sign reading, "Miramar Beach" located around the Donut Hole, but I always thought it started west of Sandestin.
Beach Fanatic
It's my understanding it starts in the middle of Sandestin. You can't go by the post office, that's for sure because the hospital has a Miramar Beach Zip code, but Publix which is one block west has a Santa Rosa Beach zip code.
The telephone exchanges are another confusing thing. The prefix 267 which is a Santa Rosa Beach prefix starts in the middle of Sandestin.
So, who knows?
The telephone exchanges are another confusing thing. The prefix 267 which is a Santa Rosa Beach prefix starts in the middle of Sandestin.
So, who knows?
Meow
It's my understanding it starts in the middle of Sandestin. You can't go by the post office, that's for sure because the hospital has a Miramar Beach Zip code, but Publix which is one block west has a Santa Rosa Beach zip code.
The telephone exchanges are another confusing thing. The prefix 267 which is a Santa Rosa Beach prefix starts in the middle of Sandestin.
Hopefully the fire dept.!!!!
Beach Fanatic
People are WAY too paranoid about sharks. I've been surfing close to thirty years dangling my legs in waters all over the world and every time I have seen a shark they sprinted away as fast as it came around. I am sure there were many, many more I never saw that somehow managed not to take a bite.
The odds of getting attacked by shark are lower than being struck by lightning or snakebite or winning the lottery. Driving to Destin or anywhere is far more dangerous than swimming with the sharks. In the last 115 years only 15 people have died in Florida from shark attacks. There have been close to 500 documented non fatal injuries from shark attacks in the same amount of time; most of them have occurred on the east coast from small spinner sharks.
The Jaws movies and more recently, The Discovery Channel have created a continuing fascination and paranoia regarding sharks. A "shark sighting" should be no more out of the ordinary than a "sea gull sighting."
The odds of getting attacked by shark are lower than being struck by lightning or snakebite or winning the lottery. Driving to Destin or anywhere is far more dangerous than swimming with the sharks. In the last 115 years only 15 people have died in Florida from shark attacks. There have been close to 500 documented non fatal injuries from shark attacks in the same amount of time; most of them have occurred on the east coast from small spinner sharks.
The Jaws movies and more recently, The Discovery Channel have created a continuing fascination and paranoia regarding sharks. A "shark sighting" should be no more out of the ordinary than a "sea gull sighting."
Admin
People are WAY too paranoid about sharks. I've been surfing close to thirty years dangling my legs in waters all over the world and every time I have seen a shark they sprinted away as fast as it came around. I am sure there were many, many more I never saw that somehow managed not to take a bite.
The odds of getting attacked by shark are lower than being struck by lightning or snakebite or winning the lottery. Driving to Destin or anywhere is far more dangerous than swimming with the sharks. In the last 115 years only 15 people have died in Florida from shark attacks. There have been close to 500 documented non fatal injuries from shark attacks in the same amount of time; most of them have occurred on the east coast from small spinner sharks.
The Jaws movies and more recently, The Discovery Channel have created a continuing fascination and paranoia regarding sharks. A "shark sighting" should be no more out of the ordinary than a "sea gull sighting."
I agree Dave and I tell people similar things all the time, although sharks are more rare to see than seagulls. But I also realize that fear of sharks is primal. It is an irrational fear but runs deep, and perception takes precedence over reality. You have better chance of dying by having a vending machine fall on you, but they have no teeth.
SoWal Expert
Statistically, you are much more likely to die from a dog attacking you than a shark. For me, seeing JAWS as a young kid ruined it for me. I go in the water all the time, but I often think about the big sharks swimming in the same water with me. I haven't freaked out when I've seen them, but personally, I'd rather swim with the alligators.
SoWal Guide
Shark siting at grayton beach today! I was swimming in the gulf with jdarg, bdarg, beachmom and another friend carol, when we looked up and saw several folks onshore motioning for us to come in. we all froze. then we saw a guy onshore doing a shark fin on his head, folks still motioning to come in. We hauled ourselves onto shore, which seemed to take many minutes of swimming - we were further out than we realized. 
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
This was my first scared spit-less encounter in the gulf. Think I'll stay nearer to shore next time (the water was absolutely gorgeous and clear and felt so wonderful. we were really enjoying it until we saw the folks onshore motioning to us. panic!!!) well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
later we were so thankful we didn't have kids in the water with us.
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
This was my first scared spit-less encounter in the gulf. Think I'll stay nearer to shore next time (the water was absolutely gorgeous and clear and felt so wonderful. we were really enjoying it until we saw the folks onshore motioning to us. panic!!!) well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
later we were so thankful we didn't have kids in the water with us.
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
SoWal Expert
Shark siting at grayton beach today! I was swimming in the gulf with jdarg, bdarg, beachmom and another friend carol, when we looked up and saw several folks onshore motioning for us to come in. we all froze. then we saw a guy onshore doing a shark fin on his head, folks still motioning to come in. We hauled ourselves onto shore, which seemed to take many minutes of swimming - we were further out than we realized.
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
This was my first scared spit-less encounter in the gulf. Think I'll stay nearer to shore next time (the water was absolutely gorgeous and clear and felt so wonderful. we were really enjoying it until we saw the folks onshore motioning to us. panic!!!) well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
later we were so thankful we didn't have kids in the water with us.
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
I started our own shark thread
Beach Fanatic
well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
Beach Fanatic
2 sharks at gr8ton today and one monster tarpon and a partridge in a pear tree! :rofl:
:rofl:SoWal Insider
Shark siting at grayton beach today! I was swimming in the gulf with jdarg, bdarg, beachmom and another friend carol, when we looked up and saw several folks onshore motioning for us to come in. we all froze. then we saw a guy onshore doing a shark fin on his head, folks still motioning to come in. We hauled ourselves onto shore, which seemed to take many minutes of swimming - we were further out than we realized.That is soooooooo scary! I cannot imagine the times, as kids, how close we probably came to encounters with sharks.
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
This was my first scared spit-less encounter in the gulf. Think I'll stay nearer to shore next time (the water was absolutely gorgeous and clear and felt so wonderful. we were really enjoying it until we saw the folks onshore motioning to us. panic!!!) well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
later we were so thankful we didn't have kids in the water with us.
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
We used to swim out and hang out at the sand bar, then swim back in over water that was so deep you couldn't even see the bottom. Makes me shiver at the possibilities.You had a close one today!
hmmmm......can't remember
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
Sometimes going about my business involves having a snack...
SoWal Expert
2 sharks at gr8ton today and one monster tarpon and a partridge in a pear tree!
ha ha - you know you can tell everyone how graceful we were...
Beach Fanatic
You guys must have been moving really fast I didn't even see you Jdarg crew.
SoWal Expert
You guys must have been moving really fast I didn't even see you Jdarg crew.
Smokin' fast, baby! :roll:
Beach Fanatic
Shark siting at grayton beach today! I was swimming in the gulf with jdarg, bdarg, beachmom and another friend carol, when we looked up and saw several folks onshore motioning for us to come in. we all froze. then we saw a guy onshore doing a shark fin on his head, folks still motioning to come in. We hauled ourselves onto shore, which seemed to take many minutes of swimming - we were further out than we realized.
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
This was my first scared spit-less encounter in the gulf. Think I'll stay nearer to shore next time (the water was absolutely gorgeous and clear and felt so wonderful. we were really enjoying it until we saw the folks onshore motioning to us. panic!!!) well, bdarg didn't panic. he was the only one...
later we were so thankful we didn't have kids in the water with us.
yes, I realize that if we had never been told there was a shark, that we would have stayed out in the gulf blissfully unaware, and it would have just gone about its own business. probably...
Doug told me he saw about 8-10 sharks in Grayton today. Most were small, but a few bigger. Said people got in the water, got out of the water, and got in the water.....again and again. (He was swimming too!) There's a lot of bait fish out now....so everybody just keep an eye out. These probably aren't dangerous, but you never know when that bull shark wants to swim by. At least the water is real clear and that helps with the confusion for the shark!!!!
It's those dark water mornings and afternoons.
KatI'd rather be safe then sorry.
Beach Fanatic
Statistically, you are much more likely to die from a dog attacking you than a shark. For me, seeing JAWS as a young kid ruined it for me. I go in the water all the time, but I often think about the big sharks swimming in the same water with me. I haven't freaked out when I've seen them, but personally, I'd rather swim with the alligators.
SJ are you kidding????
Alligators! Now, those really scare me! 
Beach Fanatic
Shark siting at grayton beach today! I was swimming in the gulf with jdarg, bdarg, beachmom and another friend carol, when we looked up and saw several folks onshore motioning for us to come in. we all froze.
Once on shore, our friends told us there was a shark, about 6 feet, swimming in our direction, it turned and swam away, then came back in our direction. One of our group (carol) saw it nearby as we were out there.
Interesting. Then that makes 2 days in a row-
Yesterday (just after 3pm), I had my very first up close and personal experience with a shark since moving here in February. It was directly in front of the Spooky Lane beach access.
I was in the water about 15 feet from shore in about waist deep water holding my 4 year old son who was dangling his legs in the water. We were in the water for less than 2 minutes when I looked up and right in front of me, no more than 20 feet away and swimming East was about a 6 foot bull shark.
The water was nice and clear and he was so close that I could see all the detail on him. It was quite surreal- so much so that I froze and did nothing but stare. He paid no attention to us and kept going.
A few seconds passed which felt like an eternity and then I quickly got out, handed my son off to family and I jogged down the beach alerting the next closest swimmers.
A small pack of us had formed and moved with the shark parallel to the shoreline watching in disbelief and getting others out of the water. From that vantage point he appeared as little more than a big gray blob and then one woman shouted, "Where? I don't see him" and the most bizarre thing happened. It was as if the shark heard her and he immediately swam straight at us and was only about 12 feet or so from shore facing us. So if anyone had any doubts what their eyes were seeing at this point they was quickly erased.
Then he turned East again and at that point Ed Walline lifeguards must have heard and rode by on a Polaris to warn folks so I turned around and went back to my beachchair to tell my big fish story to my wife who missed the whole thing because she was out on a kayak looking for marine life!
A strange calm came over me- the realization that:
A) the shark did nothing
B) if sharks can come in so close to us without being detected on a clear day then one who wanted to harm me could and there is really nothing I can do about it anyway so why worry
But I'll tell you- when we went down for sunset and the dogs were playing a few feet in the water (same spot I saw the shark) it drove me crazy that I knew for certain that one could get them for dinner right there...
Anyway, just wanted to share.
I have done my best to not exaggerate the facts. I have made nothing up.
Cheers, GW
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Interesting. Then that makes 2 days in a row-
Yesterday (just after 3pm), I had my very first up close and personal experience with a shark since moving here in February. It was directly in front of the Spooky Lane beach access.
I was in the water about 15 feet from shore in about waist deep water holding my 4 year old son who was dangling his legs in the water. We were in the water for less than 2 minutes when I looked up and right in front of me, no more than 20 feet away and swimming East was about a 6 foot bull shark.
The water was nice and clear and he was so close that I could see all the detail on him. It was quite surreal- so much so that I froze and did nothing but stare. He paid no attention to us and kept going.
A few seconds passed which felt like an eternity and then I quickly got out, handed my son off to family and I jogged down the beach alerting the next closest swimmers.
A small pack of us had formed and moved with the shark parallel to the shoreline watching in disbelief and getting others out of the water. From that vantage point he appeared as little more than a big gray blob and then one woman shouted, "Where? I don't see him" and the most bizarre thing happened. It was as if the shark heard her and he immediately swam straight at us and was only about 12 feet or so from shore facing us. So if anyone had any doubts what their eyes were seeing at this point they was quickly erased.
Then he turned East again and at that point Ed Walline lifeguards must have heard and rode by on a Polaris to warn folks so I turned around and went back to my beachchair to tell my big fish story to my wife who missed the whole thing because she was out on a kayak looking for marine life!
A strange calm came over me- the realization that:
A) the shark did nothing
B) if sharks can come in so close to us without being detected on a clear day then one who wanted to harm me could and there is really nothing I can do about it anyway so why worry
But I'll tell you- when we went down for sunset and the dogs were playing a few feet in the water (same spot I saw the shark) it drove me crazy that I knew for certain that one could get them for dinner right there...
Anyway, just wanted to share.
I have done my best to not exaggerate the facts. I have made nothing up.
Cheers, GW
That sent chills up my spine......what a story!SoWal Expert
SJ are you kidding????Not kidding. I grew up water skiing in a lake with plenty of gators and I spent a summer working with them all around me in waist deep water. Sharks seem a little erratic and more unpredictable, and when blood hits the water, forget-about-it. Not so with gators.
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