We were at Sullivan’s Island about knee deep and I see a dorsal fin heading right towards my 10 year old daughter. As you all know my heart was in my throat as I reached out for her with one hand and slashing the water with the other. I was able to see that it was about 3-4 feet long but couldn’t make out what kind. Scared the S%$T out of me!
She thinks were just fishin…
Wouldn’t splashing the water be a bad idea…?
Actually in my experience sharks in shallows are very spooky and would likely just be scared.
Did it run?
First, Most, Biggest
I want to catch them all
Had an 8 footer swim past me and my daughter last year at Botany Bay in water that was knee deep. Dorsal and tail above the water.
quote:
Originally posted by Great WhiteActually in my experience sharks in shallows are very spooky and would likely just be scared.
Did it run?
First, Most, Biggest
I want to catch them all
I’ve had just the opposite experience. Disturbance on the surface can simulate surface feeding or something (prey) trying to get away.
Granted, given the circumstances I’m sure the only thing on Allenhawk’s mind was his daughter’s safety. At that point, you do whatever you can.
Earn it everyday
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet.
There’s certainly no way to tell what shark it was without seeing it. But its not uncommon in the summertime to see bonnet heads cruising shallow looking for an easy meal. If it was three feet long, its not interested in eating you!
Now an eight footer in knee deep water…that would make you realize your place in the food chain rather quickly!
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Could you sight cast with fly rod ???
17’ Mako
quote:
Originally posted by ScreamingdragCould you sight cast with fly rod ???
17’ Mako
Those guys on the left coast sight cast to makos…
I’m sure with persistence you could do it here. I know a few that have done it successfully.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
We sight cast to bonnetheads in the Folly River; not flies, dead or live shrimp or crab chunk. I reckon you could catch one on a fly if it was a crab or shrimp pattern. Especially if you rubbed it with a crab or a shrimp before casting…
Sharks are thick in the surf zone right now,A guy I know was bit on the foot off Sullivan’s island.I’ve seen a couple and every surfer I talked to said they seeing more than usual in the lineup.
Ya you are not what they are looking for but they might mistake you for something else then you might get bit. Happened last year on Otter Island in the SHS. Especially in dirty water. But as a dad I know that your instincts will make you do freakish things if your child is between you and the shark. Like grab it by the tail, spin it around and chuck it 50 feet 
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Most shark attacks happen in water less than waist deep. Probably because that’s where most of the people are, but sharks love the surf zone and it’s easy for them to mistake a foot for a fish.
If you’ve even flown a small plane along any popular beach in the summer, you’d never get in the water again. There are hundreds of them swimming between the swimmers. Big ones! A 3’ shark would never attack a human intentionally, but they make mistakes occasionally in murky water.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryMost shark attacks happen in water less than waist deep. Probably because that’s where most of the people are, but sharks love the surf zone and it’s easy for them to mistake a foot for a fish.
If you’ve even flown a small plane along any popular beach in the summer, you’d never get in the water again. There are hundreds of them swimming between the swimmers. Big ones! A 3’ shark would never attack a human intentionally, but they make mistakes occasionally in murky water.
Capt. Larry Teuton
WorshiperYep, flew down the coast from Edisto to Charleston in a small plane once…could not believe all the Sharks swimming among the people in the water.
quote:
Originally posted by mikeyloo Especially if you rubbed it with a crab or a shrimp before casting...
That’s cheating!
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Someone got popped a few weeks ago. I couldn’t find the pics of thebite, but it was a pretty good one.
If you’re paying attention and looking into the waves as theyre cresting you’ll be amazed at how many you actually see. I always watch the waves when I surf fish and usually see 3 or 4. Sometimes they’re in waves right in front of me.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
Shark are all over the coastal waters. Sometimes we get into them while fishing and you just have to move because they are so plentiful. If you swim at the beach, expect to see them.
We saw a few stingrays in the water first and than the shark. I hear you guys I really was trying to grab its tail and launch it but couldn’t reach it. Now the wife won’t even go in the water at all. LOL I told her there are sharks but they usually won’t mess with you. DO NOT WEAR are cute tennis bracelet on your ankle ladies! You just made your foot into a shiny lure. Same thing with bracelets on your wrists.
She thinks were just fishin…
They’re always cruising the shallow beaches in the summertime. Watch the surf zone from a fishing pier in the summer time…you will see some big ones swimming among the swimmers. I never looked In the waves, but I will now :o
Amazing more people don’t get bit when you see how plentiful they are.
Doesn’t keep me out of the water. Now jelly fish, yeah that freaks me out when I bump them in the surf zone…
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles. ~Doug Larson
'88 Henry 'O Challenger
Malibu X-13
WS Pamlico 120 Angler