With GoPro’s and other tech devices becoming almost as important as ballyhoo on gulfstream trips, how comfortable are people jumping in the water 50, 60, 70 miles offshore to catch some footage?
I’m dying to swim with schoolies under a weed patch, video a release from under the boat, take photos of a billfish from the water looking back at the anglers onboard, BUT I don’t want to die doing it!
The thought of getting in that far out is friggin’ scary, at least for me…what do you think?
We dive 20-30 miles out, don’t see a big difference in that and 70…couldn’t swim back to shore from either.
With that said, there are some other things to consider before bailing out of a boat. I’m not sure I want to be in the water with a hooked fish. If it makes a run and the mono comes across your body it could make for a bad day. Also, how many times have you had a fish hooked and coming to the boat and an agressive shark comes out of nowhere? He is gonna be fired up because of the fish on the line and there you are, easy pickings.
Should you decide to do it, make sure you have someone dedicated to keeping a visual on the swimmer at all times.
The swimmer should have a inflatable marker with him and a whistle too.
Got in and shot a mahi last year in 1800’ did some gro pro footage as well. Seen a huge hammerhead in 130’ but he minded his own business and I minded mine lol
I believe that you have a far better chance of being attacked by a shark in shallow water than you do deep water. Obviously bobbing around for days in the open ocean increases your chances but that would probably be an exception. That being said, the one time I ever went offshore fishing, I was watching for weedlines and saw what I thought was a small one several hiundred yards away. As we got closer, it turned out to be a great hammerhead abpriximately 10’ long.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
the one time I ever went offshore fishing, I was watching for weedlines and saw what I thought was a small one several hiundred yards away. As we got closer, it turned out to be a great hammerhead abpriximately 10’ long.
that’s why you are the beer-feeder now…
I love jumping in offshore, especially when it is hot, clear and super calm…
Just look out for sharks and you should be fine. As far as your odds of being bit being more likely inshore I don’t necessarily agree with…sharks offshore are MUCH more opportunistic when it comes to feeding.
quote:I believe that you have a far better chance of being attacked by a shark in shallow water than you do deep water.
Agree. People are not high on sharks diet and most bites are by mistake. I forget the percent, but by far the highest amount of shark bites happen in water less than waist deep.
Edit: although that might be because the highest percentage of people are in water less than waist deep?
No reason not to be prudent though, don’t jump in with a good bite or feeding frenzy going on. I usually wear a mask and fins, so I can keep an eye on what’s swimming under me, and swim fast if necessary [:0] I love snorkeling along an offshore weed line with a spear gun.
Like any other risk, you weigh it, take reasonable care, and go for it:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
This post reminds me of my favorite DuckCommander story of all time. For those that don’t know, Eryc lost his life in an automobile accident last year. A few years back, we were coming in from offshore and happened to be going by the Edisto weather buoy. Eryc said he wanted to hop in with the spear gun and look for cobia. Sure, no problem as it was slick calm that day. As we slowed and he was getting his wetsuit on, about a 12’ hammerhead was swimming around us checking us out. We all watched him for about sixty seconds swimming around lazily until he finally disappeared into the deep. It was one of those cool offshore moments you share with friends that remind you of why you have such a huge respect for the ocean and its inhabitants.
I looked at Eryc still getting his gear together for the dive and said, “You saw that shark right? And you’re still getting in?”
His response was priceless, “You see this spear gun? I will shoot that shark in the face!”
Needless to say, he got in and never saw the shark, but had plenty of barracuda messing with him. I sure miss him. Eryc was fearless.
“Looking for sharks” out in blue water is kinda funny. Sharks only let you see them when they are ok with you seeing them. Many bigger and more aggressive sharks in blue water than 100ft area. As Larry said, weigh your skills and comfort level vs your risk and outcome and make your decision. Maybe its for you and maybe it isn’t. Jumping in on a productive weedline definitely increases your odds of interaction with big sharks.
I remember watching Manny Puig (the long bearded “shark guy”) filming the mako once. He’s swam with every kind of shark out there thousands of times… He said on camera that the only time he ever felt like he was in real danger was the mako footage. If I recall, they had a long swim to the boat against the current. Every time they would turn around, the mako would be on their heels and would scatter off as soon as they made eye contact. As soon as they started swimming towards the boat again, the mako would start to pursue them again.
The problem with offshore swimming with sharks is that nobody does it. There isn’t a lot of statistics around it. BILLIONS of people swim at the beach, so we know our odds there.
quote:I believe that you have a far better chance of being attacked by a shark in shallow water than you do deep water.
Agree. People are not high on sharks diet and most bites are by mistake. I forget the percent, but by far the highest amount of shark bites happen in water less than waist deep.
Edit: although that might be because the highest percentage of people are in water less than waist deep?
No reason not to be prudent though, don’t jump in with a good bite or feeding frenzy going on. I usually wear a mask and fins, so I can keep an eye on what’s swimming under me, and swim fast if necessary [:0] I love snorkeling along an offshore weed line with a spear gun.
Like any other risk, you weigh it, take reasonable care, and go for it:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I agree the most shark attacks happen where the most people are and that’s waist deep water.
I swim offshore all the time as long as there isnt any chum in the water.
I have been approached by sharks before, but they usually just come in close enough to find out what you’re doing. Its easy to see if they are just curious or looking for a meal.
Either way, I wouldnt hesitate to get in and have a look around. I would stay out of the water if you have a fish on. Fish bite and rub against anything they can to get away.
quote:I believe that you have a far better chance of being attacked by a shark in shallow water than you do deep water.
Agree. People are not high on sharks diet and most bites are by mistake. I forget the percent, but by far the highest amount of shark bites happen in water less than waist deep.
Edit: although that might be because the highest percentage of people are in water less than waist deep?
No reason not to be prudent though, don’t jump in with a good bite or feeding frenzy going on. I usually wear a mask and fins, so I can keep an eye on what’s swimming under me, and swim fast if necessary [:0] I love snorkeling along an offshore weed line with a spear gun.
Like any other risk, you weigh it, take reasonable care, and go for it:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I agree the most shark attacks happen where the most people are and that’s waist deep water.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
Yes, but Cracker Larry posted the most important part. The part that says most people are in waist deep water. I could tell you that more deer are killed on hunting land than deer killed in national parks where no hunting is allowed, but that doesn't mean there are more deer on hunting land.
quote:Originally posted by skinneej
I could tell you that more deer are killed on hunting land than deer killed in national parks where no hunting is allowed, but that doesn't mean there are more deer on hunting land.
That all depends on who is responsible for the “science” behind the stats brother.
quote:Originally posted by skinneej
I could tell you that more deer are killed on hunting land than deer killed in national parks where no hunting is allowed, but that doesn't mean there are more deer on hunting land.
That all depends on who is responsible for the “science” behind the stats brother.
Something to do with the report wrighter, his report always agrees with him.
Lost my nerve years ago out at the “deli”. Some Dolphin chomped in halve and the Barracuda taking theirs didn’t bother me. We came close to a Shark of epic size. Dorsal and tail were out of water and four of us estimated that length more than 10 feet. We trolled towards it and as we got close it quickly went down. I guess kind of like walking in a Jungle and thinking about Lions, Snakes, Tigers, and Hippos. Everyone has there own personal fears. That ruined me swimming in deep water.
Have flown off our coast a good few times and we have some super big stuff off our coast. Just think Mary Lee was just one monster Great White caught and tagged. How many more are out there? She even pinged just off Morgan Island.
I have seen many large sharks out there. My behind stays in the boat.
I laugh thinking about the time my friend fell overboard. We were slow trolling and standing on the gunnel holding on to the t-top when one of the rods went off. My buddy went to jump down but when he let go he fell backwards. He tried to grab the top but came up way to short. We threw the boat in in neutral, he goes under water and as I see him come to the surface he’s yelling “don’t lose the fish. don’t lose the fish”. We get the fish to the boat and its a large cuda. He starts yelling “lose the fish, lose the fish”. Oh the memories.
