Shark Bait

[CJY]

First of all, I know little about sharks, except they scare the bejeebers out of me. Here in Ohio, there is no habitat that would support them... or so I think. Although I have been to the Ocean out of Florida (Atlantic and Gulf) too many times to count, I have never seen one in person(I never go in deeper than my knees).<br /><br />I was watching the Discovery Channel last night as they were talking about the sharks that inhabit the panhandle. Although I was aware the bullshark will swim into fresh water to bare their young, I had no idea they have been found in the Mississippi as far North as Illinois. If this is the case, maybe they are closer to me than I think. A bit scary to be swimming in a freshwater lake while thinking you may not be at the top of the food chain.<br /><br />Happy swimming,<br /><br />John

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Shark Bait

Could be worse.. Ya could have alligators too...

 

[heyttown]

Re: Shark Bait

Stepdad caught a 6' black tip shark in knee deep water off the beach in sarasota......So just cause your knee deep doesnt mean squat....<br />Ive been told if you could take a helicopter ride along the coastline, you would never set foot in there again.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Shark Bait

Yep, they have a unique ability to retain salt, which allows them to travel into fresh water. National Geographic website confirms what you said. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/07/0719_050719_bullsharks.html <br /><br />Should this post be moved to Freshwater Fishing, hmmm, or maybe Saltwater Fishing?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Shark Bait

Originally posted by yingling-j:<br />I have never seen one in person(I never go in deeper than my knees).

That doesnt mean they didnt see/smell you.<br />

 

[CJY]

Re: Shark Bait

I agree that it does not keep a person entirely safe, but it does give them a better chance. I can't imagine swimming out into 12 foot of water several hundred yards from shore. It is unbelievable that people swim out there with no fear at all. <br /><br />Do you think it is that "it will not happen to me" type of attitude, or is it just plain old fashion being unaware?

 

[achris]

Re: Shark Bait

Been a SCUBA diver for 23 years, and I've seen about half a dozen sharks, some quite big. The only one that bit me was one I didn't see! Despite having been bitten, I still love my ocean. SCUBA dive every chance I get!<br /><br />And why do shark attacks get so much press? Because they happen so rarely.<br />Still worried about sharks? Check out Shark attacks.<br /><br />Chris...............

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Shark Bait

Think about it. That show said 83 poeple were killed last year by lightining, while only 18 people were killed by a shark attack. That make the odds greatly if you favor. There are times and places I will not swim, feeding times and feeding places. <br /><br />I swim offshore frequently, in open water without any thought of sharks (man I love Blue Water). But will never swim around structures or inlets were bait is abundant, or at dusk to dawn.<br /><br />I dont think its a "wont happen to me attitude", but more likely, its not an obvious/visual threat. Kinda like, outa sight, outa mind.<br /><br />I think its kinda like what they say about house fires, when theres been one in your family, or close relation, odds say your generation will likely never have to endure a fire threat again.<br /><br /> LETS GO SWIMMIN/MARINADING

 

[JB]

Re: Shark Bait

Don't worry about the sharks, John. There are MUSKYS in Ohio fresh water.<br /><br />Statistically, Musky attacks in Ohio outnumber shark attacks by thousands to one.

 

[achris]

Re: Shark Bait

What's a MUSKY?

 

[mikeandronda]

Re: Shark Bait

Achris what kind of shark bit you...........how hurt did you get.......I tell you what!!!!! that would be the last time i was in the water....might even have a problem taking a bath

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Shark Bait

From JBs description, they must be kinda like a Shark on steroids. <br /><br />Now Im scared to say , Great Lakes, much less get in one ofem.<br /><br />

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Shark Bait

Originally posted by achris:<br /> What's a MUSKY?

An ugly SOB that invokes strange rituals for those who hunt it.<br /><br />Esox Masquinongy - AKA - Musky. It looks like the results of mating between a pike and a alligator.<br /><br />I think that's one in JBs' avatar.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Shark Bait

Ive been told if you could take a helicopter ride along the coastline, you would never set foot in there again.<br />

Yep... Seen photos.. Certain times of the year, sharks are thick along the coast...

 

[achris]

Re: Shark Bait

Originally posted by mikeandronda:<br /> Achris what kind of shark bit you...........how hurt did you get.......I tell you what!!!!! that would be the last time i was in the water....might even have a problem taking a bath

I was bitten on the right knee, by a 7ft wobbegong. Little bugger was hiding in the weed, and NO, I didn't provoke it. They are actually known on this coast to be very aggressive. The teeth penetrated the wetsuit and gave me a couple of bloody wounds, but nothing too serious. Scared me more than hurt me. It let go after getting a taste of wetsuit. <br /><br /> Pictures and article about Wobbegongs <br /><br />Chris...............

 

[CJY]

Re: Shark Bait

I have never heard of musky attacks JB, but they have some nasty teeth, I did not know their disposition was also nasty. My cousin was floating down a local river on an innertube when a gar jumped from the water into his lap and he ended up getting bit on the arm. I tend to think it happened entirely by accident though.<br /><br />John

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: Shark Bait

I watched the movie "Open Water" about the divers who get left behind in the ocean. <br /><br />We went snorkling at Panama City, Florida the next day. Not that it would have helped, but I kept my eyes out. We did have a "school" of juvenile manta rays enter the jetties where we were snorkling (in about 6 feet of water). Had one of them circle my daughter and I for 5 minutes (no joke) about 3 feet away. It was checking us out and we were doing the same to it. Awesome experience.<br /><br />I've caught numerous sharks while trout fishing in the gulf of Mexico. The largest I ever caught was about 3 feet. We also snorkle in that water for scallops; so it is kind of spooky.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Shark Bait

Originally posted by Reel Poor:<br /> Think about it. That show said 83 poeple were killed last year by lightining, while only 18 people were killed by a shark attack. That make the odds greatly if you favor.

But then there is a whole lot more land mass that people inhabit than there is coastal water that people swim in ... so what does that statistic mean?<br /><br />And Yingling, as for JB's post -- Don't worry about the sharks, John. There are MUSKYS in Ohio fresh water.<br /><br />Statistically, Musky attacks in Ohio outnumber shark attacks by thousands to one. <br /><br />Key word is IN OHIO. How many shark attacks have there been in OHIO? What is 1000 x 0?