Current is as big of a concern as predators. I let people jump in for brief periods if they are hanging onto a rope. Personally, I never do it bc I’ve seen too much crazy stuff offshore.
While you are on the boat, you are on top of the food chain…once you jump in the water you are in the food chain.
I had a very well known Charleston Atty and his sons fishing with me out at SWB some years ago. It was early July, one of those stifling hot days with no wind at all. One of his sons asked about taking a dip, and I said sure, “We don’t see many big sharks out here, they like to hang around the beach”. He jumps in swims around for a minute and climbs back in the boat. While he is toweling off his head, a 12’ Tiger sharks swims right under the boat and comes out right on his side. You could have heard a pin drop! He turned white as a sheet. I’ll jump in out there to cool off, but I get right back out.
.
PROUD YANKEE
Oyster Baron
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
I agree with sellsfish. When I jump into that water I am in his world. I used to do it all the time when I was young and dumb. But, I gotta tell ya I’m older and wiser now and I have seen some sharks that don’t care to challenge in there environment. Especially after seeing that great white wash up on Morris Island some years ago. I know he is not out huntin me down and thats a good thing but they do make mistakes and sometimes try something different. I won’t stop diving and snorkeling but I choose to dive now where I have some visibility and a spear gun in hand.
Thanks for yore support!!
quote:
Originally posted by 23SailfishThis 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.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Great story.
A lot of things can go wrong offshore. Adding more to the list is not the best idea.
love swimming in bluewater
The Navy doesn’t have a problem with it.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
quote:U.S.S Indianapolis...
Originally posted by Long EnuffThe Navy doesn’t have a problem with it.
True, BUT when the Capt. sez stop for a swim ,at least two marines are posted with rifles as “shark guards”.
ZX
quote:You never watched the Mythbusters about shooting high powered rifles into the water, did you? :smiley:
Originally posted by tanksgtTrue, BUT when the Capt. sez stop for a swim ,at least two marines are posted with rifles as “shark guards”.
ZX
quote:
You never watched the Mythbusters about shooting high powered rifles into the water, did you?
Maybe the sharks are on rafts.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Never knew they had swim platforms and ladders on them things:smiley:
quote:
Originally posted by EasyNever knew they had swim platforms and ladders on them things:smiley:
no kidding…that is a pretty awesome pic though…
EDIT: are those tidal rails sticking out there?
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Abandon Ship Drill! The Marines with the rifles are to make sure the Sailors jump! What do you mean you can’t swim, get your azz over the side Swabbie:wink:
Some years ago, we got some braid caught in of the props and I jumped in to cut it off. Was in there working on it for a few minutes when I heard someone on the transom yell, “shark”! I think I walked on water to get back in the boat. A 10’ tiger shark had been stalking around my location…I have no doubt he would have taken a bite if I hadn’t been warned. No swimming offshore for this boy!
The first rule of fight club is…
I wondered how this thread made it to 2 pages. Skinnee’s involvement explains that to me.
Charleston City Papers Best Guide of 2014
quote:
Originally posted by Long EnuffThe Navy doesn’t have a problem with it.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
That’s cool Long enuff, one hell of a diving/jumping platform.
With that many people in the water, you’d be one unlucky bastard to be the one to get eaten by a shark. Maybe the dropped a few depth charges before they let them in the water.
That’s a cool pic, but I bet it is equipped with something that can send out some sort of electronic “pulse” that would make any toothy critters feel uncomfortable and move far away prior to anyone hitting the water.
As for the original topic, I think I will give it a try this summer:smiley:.
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
I’d like to know how they get back aboard:question:
They have small boats in the water.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250