Huge Shark

[FireWater]

They like to feed close to morning and dusk. That allows them to not be seen as easily by their prey, so first thing in the morning and late afternoon are the best times to stay out of the surf if you dont like the chances of your foot looking like a delicious meal. Usually up to the first sandbar is safer than between 1st & 3rd sandbar. I know longer fish the surf because I am chicken.

I have plenty of stories about wade fishing and being investigated by swimming critters. some pretty close calls and some stolen fish too.

Scutter, that state record bull was caught close to mud over by super flats in the channel.

[rrasco]

i still swim but at certain parts of the day i know to stay out of the water. Anytime close to sunup andsun down are prime hunting time. also be aware of bait balls. a few years ago i swam through a biat ball of jumping silver fish luckily swimming away from dolphins. that was about a hours south of galveston. sharks have there place in the eco system and id like to see them stick around for another million years or so. next month i will be in great white waters, now thatsa little freaky..

You're going to Cali right? Where abouts? I'll be in San Diego next month as well. I remember several years ago an older man training for a triathlon or something was taken by a great white. I used to take the boogie board out beyond the break and wait for a huge wave to bring in. Then I'd start thinking about what was swimming around me. I bought a snorkel to take a peak while I was out there. Turns out I was too chicken to see the truth, even thought I very well know what's down there.

I guess the most frightening part to me is that it's not a question as to whether the sharks are around you, they are. They typically just don't bother you. Only problem is that if they get curious they might try to get a taste of you; and they have the ability to taste your arm or leg right off your body. The odds are against it, but it does happen.

[RayAllen]

argh quit it. So Ray you say they take a little nap somewhere else during the noon hours?

We enjoy the beach and playing the water. We always swim where lots of others are swimming. You take a chance every time you get in the water I guess, you are more likely to drown than being attacked by a shark. To me no more dangerous than taking a walk across a street or taking a flight in a plane.

Those who have that primal fear of sharks are going to have different view points. The media have made things worse than they really are. Movies like jaws and TV shows about shark attacks... I respect them and try to stay clear of them, but if you and a shark come face to face or rather face to leg or hand there is not a whole lot you can do about it. Humans have been playing in the surf for as long as we have lived by the sea. No need to stop now. The shark population is nothing like it was a 100yrs ago. Think about how many there where then swimming among us.

[RayAllen]

You're going to Cali right? Where abouts? I'll be in San Diego next month as well. I remember several years ago an older man training for a triathlon or something was taken by a great white. I used to take the boogie board out beyond the break and wait for a huge wave to bring in. Then I'd start thinking about what was swimming around me. I bought a snorkel to take a peak while I was out there. Turns out I was too chicken to see the truth, even thought I very well know what's down there.

I guess the most frightening part to me is that it's not a question as to whether the sharks are around you, they are. They typically just don't bother you. Only problem is that if they get curious they might try to get a taste of you; and they have the ability to taste your arm or leg right off your body. The odds are against it, but it does happen.

We will be in San Diego, thinking about doing one of those cool Kayak tours that take you out in the caves etc. Maybe try my hand at surfing, get a quick 1hr lesson and see what happens.

[alton]

Sharks and rattle snakes have a place in the ecosystem. It doesn't mean we can't eat one now and then, Mako's are the best!