Coming in from off shore and getting to the Port Royal Sound is always a bit of mayhem but this was crazy. We were traveling at about 35 mph in a 23 foot Scout when the boat came to an all bit complet stop, like a car reck. Confused and concerned everyone turned to see what happened. Bellyed up and bloody was a manta ray as big as truck flopping 50 yards back in the wash. After quickly assessing the boat for damage we lost sight of the manta and hurried back to the hill just in case the boat was taking water. Got back to the hill, the haul was fine but the hydraulic trim may have been damaged. Feel terrible for the manta and fortunate that no one got hurt. Crazy!
BTW: looks like these animals have an 18 foot wing span with an average weight of 2900 pounds!
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases.”
— Thomas Jefferson
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases.”
— Thomas Jefferson
2 weeks ago I was trolling bank by Parris Island. I heard a loud smack followed by splashing sound behind me and turned around to see what was up. Didn’t see anything, then a few seconds later a Manta exploded out of the water and slammed down again and I thought wow! that thing was huge. It was really a magnificent thing to see. I saw some in the GA aquarium and from about 250 yards away this monster seemed to appear at least 10-12’ in width. as to weight, I don’t know. Can’t imagine hitting one or worse…being hit by one breeching. Kayakers beware!
I am the guy (and my Boykin Spaniel)that was pulled around the Sound and eventually seaward. Measured about 3 miles on my GPS. Scout 175.
I was anchored between HHI and Trenchards Inlet on an outgoing tide w/ 4 lines out. Felt and saw a huge rush of water at the transum and thought my anchor line was loose because it had become slack. When i began pulling it in…various points on the line were slick ??? then all of a sudden the line dove and pulled from my hands…the ride was on!!! Unreal experience.
When I was about 16, I drove to the beach (Matagorda, TX) early by myself. The sun was barely up and I was sitting on the hood of my car and looking out at the water. About 100 yds from shore, I saw a big manta ray jump out of the water and splash down. I didn’t really mention it to very many people because I figured they wouldn’t believe it anyway. In the past couple of years since I started spending (too much) time on fishing forums, I have heard about manta rays jumping a few other times. It’s quite a sight.
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
We were in the sound the last weekend in May and a huge manta ray coming flying out of the water. My wife said a whale but it was a ray. A few minutes later it did it again. First time I have seen one that big come out of the water with my own eyes.
Last year my dad hooked one in the folly on live shrimp. It jumped about 4’ away from the boat and then about 6 times down the river. Only on about 6-8’ of water…
I’m a high class redneck.
Fishing is a delusion entirely surrounded by liars in pfgs and buffs.
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases.”
— Thomas Jefferson
