While fishing in Bulls Bay this weekend I saw something I just can’t figure out. Without notice, a ton of small baitfish scattered and a 6 foot cylindrical push of water happened 10 feet from my boat. The kicker is there was no dorsal fin and I was only in only 2 feet of water! I just glimpsed the top of it when it was 20 yards or so from me and it was not a dolphin or shark. Looked brownish/gray. Any ideas on what that was?
Manatee?
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
After searching “manatee” I am 99% sure you are correct. Had no idea they were around here. Man, did that thing move water - It was amazing and creepy at the same time.
Too cold for manatees around this time of year. Maybe a big ray?
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Had it not been the shape of the push and the short glimpse I had of it moving away I would have thought ray as well. And, who knows, it may have been. Whatever it was acted like the rest of the fish on Saturday and didn’t bite my hook either.
If it was chasing bait it wasn’t a Manatee. They are Herbivores, and even if they ate bait, the bait would have to be the slowest fish in the ocean!
It might not have been chasing bait, just scaring the heck out of it 
No, it’s not too cold for manatee here.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I’ve only seen manatees in that shallow of water a couple times. I have my doubts it was one IMHO. How fast was it moving? Those things move so slow they have algae growing on them. Interesting none the less.
Manatees breath air, so if you hung around and didn’t see a or hear him blow like a whale it probably wasn’t a mantee.
Thinking a big stingray
if it was moving faster than a snail going uphill in january, it was probably not a manatee. Also, those things are pretty big… probably too big to hide in 2 feet of water.
I’ve caught a stingray (I believe of the southern roughtail variety) in the neighborhood of 200 plus lbs in a small creek. They can easily hide in shallow water and give big pushes of water. I’d bet a stingray, and a big one at that.
Great white shark.
Charleston City Papers Best Guide of 2014
Tarpon
It moved quicker than a snail’s pace. If it was a ray the thing would have been a monster. Sad to think I could not catch something that liked to eat that much.
We had a manta ray breech next to the boat a couple of summers ago on the ICW up that way that was wider than my boat. It would have have killed someone had it landed in the boat.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I’d guess a harbor seal. Pretty sure I saw one the other day in front of the city marina.
Waaaay to cold for manatees this time of year.
I agree with Wiggs, wayward harbor seal is a strong possibility, as a number are reported in SC coastal waters each year, and many have been positively identified.
Midget Submarine/SEAL, Delivery Vehicle:wink:
I’ve seen 3 manatee’s on the Cooper over the last 3 years and the “cylindrical” description is appropriate. Bulky and slow moving critters. I’ve seen them over by the HESS plant as well as the North end of Clouter Creek but all sightings have been in the summer months. Was fishing with my grandson out of a Hobie Outback kayak with him on the bow facing me… he started hyperventilating and pointing at what he thougt was an alligator, as I turned around I saw that it was a manatee that swam right under the yak! Very cool experience…
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
15’ Henry O w/Johnson 50
As a former navy seal (team 2), I can tell you that wasn’t what it was. I will fight anybody who says otherwise.