Shark in the bay...

[Do Good]

How scared should I be about sharks in the bay? I think I saw one tonight about dusk... it was so close to where we swim.

It was a steady fin above water. Does that indicate a shark? You'ld think after 12 years living here I would know, but I am new to bay living

It only went down a few times... I don't think it was a dolphin...

 

[florida girl]

Yes! My neighbor saw an 8 foot Bull shark at the end of his dock. The water is only perhaps 2 feet deep. Many have been caught from the old bridge. The more sharks there are, the less food available, the more they search in other areas for food. They can go into salt and fresh water, and are found in the river as well.

 

[Kurt]

How scared should I be about sharks in the bay? I think I saw one tonight about dusk... it was so close to where we swim.

It was a steady fin above water. Does that indicate a shark? You'ld think after 12 years living here I would know, but I am new to bay living

It only went down a few times... I don't think it was a dolphin...

Shark bites in the gulf are quite rare. I have never heard of anyone getting bit in the bay but I suppose it could happen. I've read that a lot of shark encounters happen at dusk or in murky water because they don't see very well. They bump into a person and take a startled bite to see if we are something good to eat. They do however have a fantastic olfactory ability so never swim with an open wound or while menstruating.

I also recommend avoiding movies starring Roy Scheider.

 

[seagrovegirl]

Sharks may also rub against you, as a way to taste. Their skin is like sandpaper and will leave you with something like a burn, like when you get your knees scraped.

 

[Smiling JOe]

A "steady fin above water" does NOT mean you saw a shark. Much of the Bay is shallow. Dolphin tend to go up and down, but if the water is only two feet deep, a dolphin's fin will also be steady above the water. Did you see a vertical tail fin? I see many dolphins in the Bay, and have seen a few gators, but I've still not seen a shark in the Bay, though they are there.

 

[kkddbb]

dogood, these kind folks are giving you a quick learning lesson on sharks and thats great. as someone thats in these waters almost daily, if a shark is in the water dont you be in the water-period. its true not every shark is looking to rip your leg off, but he'll make that decision and if your not in the water you have no worries. sharks are amazing creatures, but they are also predators that shouldnt be taken lightly. and there are just as many sharks in this bay this time of year than on the beaches, trust me on this. and than theres plenty of gators as well. not to freak you out, but thats the reality of both the bay and the gulf in these warms waters. simply put, swim with caution.

 

[Smiling JOe]

... its true not every shark is looking to rip your leg off, but he'll make that decision and if your not in the water you have no worries. ....

I used to think that too, until someone told me to google for videos of shark bites on land. It seems that many shark bites happen out of the water, after anglers land a shark!

 

[Imatrucountrygirl]

I used to think that too, until someone told me to google for videos of shark bites on land. It seems that many shark bites happen out of the water, after anglers land a shark!

THAT is absolutely true... or they want to hold their jaws open and the shark is still alive... They are one of God's creatures and yes they do attack...but if you count the number of people in the water, versus the amount of attacks..it is still safer to swim than cross a busy road or even drive a vehicle... But BE SAFE... if you see one, don't get in the water, dusk and cloudy water are definitely some of the situations that you want to avoid..Have a healthy respect for them....

 

[Franny]

We have seen and caught many black tips in the Bay. Believe me there are sharks out there.

 

[Matt J]

I used to think that too, until someone told me to google for videos of shark bites on land. It seems that many shark bites happen out of the water, after anglers land a shark!

Luckily shark fishing from the shore or within 1000 feet of shore is illegal in Walton County.

That said there are still these:

[ame=http://www.spike.com/video/land-shark/2802070]Land Shark[/ame]