Official GWS Thread

Last weekend I thought I saw a shark in Capitola, but ended up being the biggest sunfish I have ever seen.  Thanks for the reminder, I forgot my SS but putting it in my gear box now.

 Even out of focus that seal rock pic is wicked.

Thanks to Lucky13 I am replacing the battery in my Shark Shield, I used it a lot in SLO. Kept it charged but found the pack failed the other day.  I will swap it out and be good to go.  I considered attaching it to my fishfinder battery but want to keep it more portable, most my time is in fresh water now.

I have had a few times in Montana De Oro where suddenly everything went still, my hair stood up and you could feel something was wrong.  I would look back to see if the SS was still on.

That shark BigJim saw was running for its life 😉. Cool video.

Fished two week ago in capitola. Around 10am I heard some water disturbance behind me. Like water splashing. Immediately I thought I it was a harbor seal, since I’ve had them shadow me before. It was a dorsal fin sticking out do the water, decent sized one at that. The shark was maybe 15’ long and healthy. I slowly hit my rutter and swing my red revo 11 around to the left to face it. With the intention of letting the shark know I’m not running from it, and aware it’s there(read this is what you’re supposed to do?) Then it descends down below my visibility, no where to be seen on my fish finder. I concluded my session. No, I don’t run a shark shield. Yes I kayak fish capitola religiously. This is the second time I’ve encountered a gws since I started kayak fishing in May 2020.
That same day earlier on the water, another kayak hooked a great white(maybe the same one), and then it bumped him off his yellow Ocean Kayak. He was a little shook up. My friend and I rafted up to him, talk to him for a second. My friend let the kayaker barrow his phone to call his dad…. parted ways and he continued to fish after the incident… hope he scored.
Today a local fisherman posted a photo & video of seal rock. The rock was covered with a red stain in the photo. In the video you can see a seal get up on the rock and bleed out rapidly.
Sure shark shield prices will spike and sell out after this month.
Initially wasn’t going to share my experience, but after the attack at lover point. I feel it’s very relevant. The ocean is a fun, but also dangerous place. I wish everyone tight lines and good vibes on the water. Be safe.

Absolutely share what you know, IMHO.  Each member can decide what to do on their own. 

Last weekend I thought I saw a shark in Capitola, but ended up being the biggest sunfish I have ever seen.  Thanks for the reminder, I forgot my SS but putting it in my gear box now.

"Padddle sloooowly away from the Mola-Mola..."

-Allen Sansano 2019

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/Shark-Knocks-Surfer-Off-Board-100-Yards-From-Shore-17548280.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-Editors-Picks

https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/Shark-Knocks-Surfer-Off-Board-100-Yards-From-Shore-17548280.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-Editors-Picks

Same area again, close to Lover’s Point

Lovers point is very sharky . Many sightings in that area. I had an encounter there many moons ago.

Not a white shark but still kinda nutty

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wfGeLMFWIW8

Lovers point is very sharky . Many sightings in that area. I had an encounter there many moons ago.

The first documented fatal GWS attack in CA happened at Lover’s Cove in the 1950’s. Detail of the event with a couple postmortem pictures (not for the squeamish):

https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/9321b6e2-9512-485e-9447-66aadc7376f5/content


On a lighter note, in August 1899, five out of six Japanese fishermen were killed in Monterey Bay by a basking shark … yup, a basking shark. The thing wasn’t trying to eat them, it was just really pissed off because the Japs speared it, as if it was a whale. Oops! Short article:

https://www.sharkattackfile.net/spreadsheets/pdf_directory/1899.08.23.R-BaskingShark-Monterey.pdf

On a lighter note, in August 1899, five out of six Japanese fishermen were killed in Monterey Bay by a basking shark … yup, a basking shark. The thing wasn’t trying to eat them, it was just really pissed off because the Japs speared it, as if it was a whale. Oops! Short article:

https://www.sharkattackfile.net/spreadsheets/pdf_directory/1899.08.23.R-BaskingShark-Monterey.pdf

You think five Japanese people dying is "on a lighter note," and you refer to them as "Japs"? Really? I've reported you for blatant racism.

Buh-bye Brotis

He gone !

He gone !

Like a turkey through the corn. Maybe he can use his extra time to actually fish rather than bloviate.

Bouché

He gone !

Like a turkey through the corn. Maybe he can use his extra time to actually fish rather than bloviate.

Bouché

Edumicate is a start. Maybe.