Huge 5 - 6' fish jumps out of the water at groin

Hey guys, I know this will probably sound like a fish tale, but I’m hoping to identify what I saw. I was at Edisto for the first time yesterday. Beach access 28. I saw a very large fish jump out of the water right at the end of the groin to the left. It was huge. it was the size of a dolphin but there were no dolphins around. And it didn’t look like a dolphin. I couldn’t see the head because of the angle. I just saw the body. I can’t believe no one else I was with saw it cause we were standing there looking into the water. I’m a novice at best and I know anytime someone says a size, it’s always exaggerated. But this fish was less than 30 feet to shore. The water was deep there though I’m pretty sure because at 15’ out, I was at shoulder height in the water when I went out there with one of my kids. Anyway, it happened so fast. There was lots of bait in the water. I feel like it was either a huge tarpon, because of how shiny it was on its body. But at the same time it seems like it could have been like a sword fish or something. That’s how large it was. I’m serious it’s body was as big as a small dolphin. I guess it’s possible it could have been a shark too but didn’t look like one from the angle I saw. Any guesses as to what it may have been. What species would be that close to shore and this time of year? Thanks for your help. I would just describe it as being blue, shiny, and large. I know that doesn’t help much :slight_smile:

Most likely a tarpon. Mullet run is on. Possible it could have been a king. I’d bet a tarpon though.


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I saw a Sturgeon jump in front of the boat headed back in one day, thing was massive probably 8 ft or so and it came out of the water about 10 ft. First and only time I’ve seen one. This was in Calibogue Sound.

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We saw the exact same thing yesterday smashing mullet. I thought tarpon as well.

Check out the post from last month on the inshore reports. I think it was in the Edisto. Giant Sturgeon jumps next to the boat and slaps girl on the shoulder with tail caught on video. Very cool video.
http://youtu.be/-JwcPbgkHqo

WILDBILL

id say tarpon. ive seen them busting mullet and menhaden all over the place near the beaches where im at and actually whacked one with my kayak that surfaced in front of me as i was paddling around through the pods dragging a menhaden. i have a few busts on the gopro, but nothing too awful close on camera.

Depends on the color, i guess. If you didn’t get a good enough look at it ( ie; just in the flash of an eye and maybe in your peripheral vision), it could have been several things. Spinner, Blacktip, Tarpon or even a big ray. I saw about a 5.5-6’ Tarpon launch out of the water less than 75 yards out directly in front of me at the campground at Edisto a few years back. Had a live bluefish for bait on the bottom. It zipped off a few yards of line in a flash and was off. Really cool to see. Had a nice backlash, though:sunglasses:

If it was shiny and silver looking, it was a tarpon.

I’ve seen a lot of tarpon rolling, herding bait, or just hanging out, but I never saw one jump unless it was hooked.

If it was in the edisto, I’d vote sturgeon. They are all over out there.

Poon. Seen several free jump and smash bait this summer. One jumped behind the boat at jetties 2 weeks ago. Big girl too. 120+

Poons are freaking awesome. Dinosaurs . Strong. Aggressive. A Fight like none other.