Spent many years surfing when I lived in Florida. There were several sharks I saw and likely hundreds that I had no idea were there.
Does remind me of the time a couple fellows were surf fishing and their kids were splish splashing around in the surf. As I'm sitting on shore taking a break these knuckle heads reel in a small shark about 3' long. They proceeded to hang another hunk of chicken on their hook and cast back out. All while folks, including their kids, are swimming and surfing.
I swim at Carolina beach north end every other weekend. Its a risk you take when in ocean. I kinda like the fact that since the attacks are happening often because now there isn't as many people in the water around me. Actually kinda peaceful for once since I been going.
It's not the fishermen that attract the Sharks to the beach.
The water is really warm right now. I mean, surface water temps at Atlantic Beach 5 miles off shore reached 82.74*. Those temperatures are not normal that close and are about 8-10* higher than what I've seen. Hell, 4 weeks ago it took us damn near 45 miles from Beaufort Inlet to reach 78* water.
People are catching fish near shore that they typically have to go 40 miles out for.
The baitfish are moving in closer and the predators are following, Sharks included.
Hell, Ive seen at least 20+ sharks at least 8'+ Long less than 100' from Ft Macon beach in 5' water when fishing out there in the boat. These fish are there and attacks will happen. I'm surprised people are surprised of a shark attack at the beach. If this had been Lake Norman, well then, you have something newsworthy.
The first boy that lost his arm on Oak Island was standing in less than knee deep water. I went down to go fishing this weekend and it was way too windy to go out so we hung out at the beach. Damn right we went out and played in the waves! But for a little bit of piece of mind, we stayed our distance from the piers...
I was at Corolla Beach the week of 6/13-6/20. I did a lot of boogie boarding during that week. I was in a little over waist deep water one day towards the end of the week when I saw a fin raise up out of the water about 5-6" high, move along and then submerge about 15 feet from me. The fin was out of the water over a distance of maybe 10-15 feet. I'm 41 yrs old, and have been playing in the surf all my life and that was the first time I feel certain I saw a shark swimming in the water (I could not see the shark's body). I immediately got out, and walked up onto the gazebo platform in front of the house we were renting. I could see several large schools of baitfish very close to shore and slowly moving north. I waited a couple of hours until all the bait fish were gone, then went back out for a few more tasty waves.
I'm going to Holden in two weeks, I've done told the kids to forget about anything over ankle deep. It's not worth the risk. I'm thinking less beach time, more local attractions this year. I've always wanted to check out the U.S.S Yorktown down in Charleston, I know my boy would love it.
We are at Holden beach for the week now. The FIL and I have been surfing/paddleboarding all week at the pier. We go out as far as the end of the pier. It's a risk you take when you get in the ocean but I enjoy surfing.
Just got back from Oak Island. fishing sucked. mostly just 1 foot sharks taking the bait. cauught 7 or 8 of them. not many people swimming in the ocean. We took our 4yr old. luckily there was a giant 5' deep tidal pool at the point, so we swam there.
I too enjoy surfing and going to the beach. its a chance you take when you go into the water, rare be it. I remember about 12 years ago that there were a bunch of shark attacks up and down the east coast. that year the water temp was higher than normal and lots of bait fish around shore. usually if I see a fin, I head in for a while and take a break. haha. I will be heading to Wrightsville in a couple of weekends and if the waves are good, i'll be in the water. if not I will be fishing.
Just got home from charleston , went to folly beach , isle of palms. Like always played in the water chest deep. We decided to not kayak this year with only us though. Worth the risk to enjoy the ocean for a few days, I stayed away from anyone fishing and all piers....
Just got back from Oak Island. fishing sucked. mostly just 1 foot sharks taking the bait. cauught 7 or 8 of them. not many people swimming in the ocean. We took our 4yr old. luckily there was a giant 5' deep tidal pool at the point, so we swam there.
Bull Sharks are some mean sumbiches, a 5 footer is dangerous and bigger ones are more deadly. They also can live/prowl in brackish water or upstream the brackish water.
