I'd like to share my experience yesterday at Half Moon Bay with a drive-by of a great white shark while crabbing. I would like to preface that encounters like this probably happen more often than any of us are ever aware and sharks more than likely exercise restraint over attack. I think this is especially true in my case since I was doing things that likely put me at greater risk and have certainly now made me more the wiser! I am a fisheries biologist by trade with a degree in Marine Biology and I am 100% certain of my positive ID, so here's my story.

It was a beautiful morning for set up and launch with morning clouds, no wind and favorable ocean conditions. I peddled solo outside the jetty mouth to the left about 0.75 mi in 30-35 fow. I found an area with birds working and huge bait balls of anchovies. I set a Promar trap first baited with Costco Salmon that I lost in a power outage this summer. I then proceeded to set three rings with the same bait about 100yds apart. I had about 20-25 lbs of frozen rockfish (ling, cab, verms) in two plastic shopping bags from my last cleaning that I was in the process of thawing to break apart and add additional bait to the set before the incoming tide was in full swing. On my second cycling through the traps I was only being gifted with red rock crabs and started to add some old procure in almost every flavor imaginable to some scent jars. Wanting to have the most fresh bait possible, I decided to speed up the thawing process by placing the frozen blocks of fish into the water. I clipped one shopping bag with a carabiner directly to the side of the yak and placed the second icefish ball inside my abalone bag that I also use to hold my crabs. Upon pulling the second ring I noticed I had amassed a pretty good school of mackerel around my revo as bits and pieces of fish flushed out from the mesh on the bottom of the ab bag. It was quite a show to watch them in the crystal clear water and skies letting way to full sun now. As a peddled over to trap number three with a good rockfish chum slick at this point I am sure, I set the crab line in the Scotty pulley and began to hoist. I felt a little weight and began to pull up steadily. When the trap was visible next to the kayak about 3-4 feet down is when I noticed a large object swimming just beyond it. I first saw the head just out from, but below the trap in about 5-6 fow but nothing registered as the trap quickly blocked its view, then I saw the dorsal and my interest started to grow, but not quite startled yet. At the same time I saw the dorsal I noticed the the tell-tale gray back and white underside, and then I saw the caudal fin with the unmistakable distinct upper lobe of an almost symmetrical tail as it came in to view and I started chanting out loud OH F--K! OH F--K!  OH F--K!  OH F--K! My first instinct for whatever reason was wanting to know how big it was. Since it was parallel to my 13ft revo the dorsal was aligned with my seat while the tail with the end of the kayak minus the rudder. The shark was merely gliding past me slowly at this point like it had just stopped swimming. It later seemed very graceful to me as the tail was not moving at all, but in the moment I remembered feeling completely helpless. I started telling myself remain calm and act. I recognized that the shark was likely a juvenile (8-10 ft) but I was unsure whether that meant it would come back for another look or test bite or simply move on. My next reaction was to drop my ring back down a few feet while I scrambled to release the heavy frozen rockfish chum balls. I had a similar experience off Santa Cruz a few years ago white seabass fishing when a large object was passing under me repeatedly getting closer in depth with each pass but nothing coming up for air. At that point I released all four rods with 4-6 oz weights to varying depths as a deterrent as I paddled back in without incident. Back in HMB I was able to get the first bag released, but it was now bobbing next to me, shit I gotta get outta here. Luckily I remembered to pull the ring in before I ran it over with the mirage drive. I peddled a short distance away from the ball and tried to release the second icefish block in my ab bag, but I could not back out the carabiner from the eyelet of my seat anchor and panic started setting in. I remembered that I had my SharkTec repellent in my life jacket so I threw that around my neck and was able to release the second ball of chum and peddle away.  My next steps were to start retrieving each trap one-by-one from last to first and I headed back to the jetty mouth. When close I made a call on CH69 to other yakkers alerting them of my encounter and to be safe. Once back at the mouth I remember feeling a bit silly and tried to pep talk my way back out thinking the shark was smaller than the yak, get back out there, but I couldn't do it. Even after hearing people starting to pull limits on the radio the vision of that upper lobe of the tail popped back in my head and it was right back on the nope train to F-thatville! I was back on the beach by 11am. My wife had texted me earlier in the morning before I launched saying I had left my Sharkbanz magnetic bracelet on my dresser. I replied with the scream emoji, Not sure what effect if any that would ultimately would have had but sure glad I did not end up in the drink for shark or panic. I was impressed that with one exception (cut-up procure bottle) I came in with everything I left with including the used shopping bags. Even under pressure, I thought it was irresponsible to leave anything (traps lines, trash, etc.) behind out there.

The whole three hour ride home that I managed to turn into five hours with a stop at Bass Pro and Tractor Supply, if I thought of the images that day continuously I was ok, the minute my mind wandered and the image reappeared and that tail flashes in my mind, I relive the experience. Something that is still true a day after and perhaps more days to come. I think the obvious is stated above about venturing solo, bait handling etc., but what I don't know is what was the intention of the shark? Was it about to attack? Did I deter it during the final seconds when I was about to lift my trap out of the water? Was the shark suddenly less interested in me and more the upcoming trap and deviated in the those seconds? I don't know, all I know is that I saw the shark, it saw me and we both continued on our way without incident.

Thanks for reading,

Best,

Rob     
   

https://fresno.craigslist.org/boa/5372145881.html

Whoa

http://www.laketahoenews.net/2014/04/massive-mackinaw-caught-lake-tahoe/
 

AOTY has been around long enough now that don't you think there should be an AOTY for AOTY's?   

I have a coworker who is handicapped by a couple leg and foot deformities and wants to get into kayaking. I was wondering if there are any groups like HOW that cater to non-vet handicapped folks? A hobie is out for her with her foot not being able to peddle, but she wants a sit on top so she can get back in it, but I am also thinking a sit in might be alright with a sidekick ama kit maybe?? Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts or experiences please pass on, thanks! Rob

Anybody know anything about computer "branding?" I have an hp laptop (6910p) that had the motherboard replaced and is missing the computer identifier and serial number on the motherboard, I can see its missing the info in the BIOS cmd window. I can't seem to find any authorized hp service dealer who know how to do it. I am at best buy now and the seem to be baffled as well.

I have a late 60's or early 70's Honda CT90. It's not pretty and in pieces but all the important stuff is there, just needs somebody looking for a winter project. It's not running, engine is out of it, needs top end redone which I have the parts for as well as many other new parts. Plus side is I have the key for the ignition and title. You will have to pick it up in Placerville, I already trailered it once to my house!  PM if interested. Rob