The one that got away 3/15/15 Capitola

I think I saw him 2 years ago.  The triangular dorsal is what I saw swimming slowly in a path that would have crossed my bow as I was trolling.  I took a video of it after watching it get closer.  I should have started to video it earlier.  You can see it at 0:03 then the rental skiff decided to move and ran right next to it without even seeing it.  It may have been a good thing that the boat scared it away.  I may have had an encounter with it.  I'm glad you guys are OK.

Thanks for the well wishes guys. This story has really got nothing compared to the stories of some our other members who were really actually attacked. It all happened so quickly that it didn't quite pack the adrenaline punch I would have thought.  It was already over before we even figured it out. The creepy part was deciding how to react during the first 5 minuets after the encounter; Be still? Paddle away? Then the footage kinda creeped me out again, seeing that the fish was still right next to us 30 minuets after the fact.  When I get home today Ill try and grab a screen shot from the video.  Its a pretty crappy image, but if you view it in 720p, and look in the top left portion of the screen, it is there for about 2 seconds. 

Capitola is now officially a "sharky" area in my mind.  I had mellow "drive by" encounter in about that same area back in 2011. Not to mention Mel's fiasco in 2012 (I think?).  Kayak fishing is defiantly not for the faint of heart. But I guess that's why we all love it so much.  I have been thinking about a shark shield for some time now...Now I'm defiantly getting one.

Damn that's scary, especially for divers.  Extra points for freedive speared halibuts this year.  And these sightings aren't early.  They are late.  Most should have left by now, but this year the weather is crazy and the sea lions are experiencing a population crash.  I don't know if the sharks are benefitting from that or losing out.  They say the sea lions are having to swim far out to catch fish and the abandoned pups are dying by the hundreds.  Glad you're OK.

"I have been thinking about a shark shield for some time now...Now I'm defiantly getting one."

Awesome Freudian Slip!!!

bushy

"I have been thinking about a shark shield for some time now...Now I'm defiantly getting one."

Awesome Freudian Slip!!!

bushy

Cant slip anything past an editor can ya ?   

Fits perfect though ya?  I'm kind of amazed you guys even stayed out there!  I most likely would have attempted a stealth paddle in.  Seriously. 

bushy

Glad you're OK.  Thanks for sharing the landlord encounter Matt.

Wild wild stuff.
Upon reading & reflecting on your story, many things come to mind.
Like, how crazy is it that we just talked about Shark Shields last week?!
Or, do they make such a thing as a sealion call (for use right after an encounter...draw some tasty sealions into the area before paddling away)?
And, wow there have been a LOT of encounters in Capitola if you count all the reported sightings from skiff fishermen, kayakers, paddle boarders, and surfers. So many that most locals believe it's a resident shark, Matilda (maybe the same shark, maybe many different sharks, but either way not cool).
But, I'm really glad you guys are ok and able to share the story with us. Much appreciated & mad respect! 

Wild wild stuff.
Upon reading & reflecting on your story, many things come to mind.
Like, how crazy is it that we just talked about Shark Shields last week?!
Or, do they make such a thing as a sealion call (for use right after an encounter...draw some tasty sealions into the area before paddling away)?
And, wow there have been a LOT of encounters in Capitola if you count all the reported sightings from skiff fishermen, kayakers, paddle boarders, and surfers. So many that most locals believe it's a resident shark, Matilda (maybe the same shark, maybe many different sharks, but either way not cool).
But, I'm really glad you guys are ok and able to share the story with us. Much appreciated & mad respect!

I too was thinking how ironic our conversation has become. Its funny you bring up the Matilda theory.  I have heard of her too.  Because of that, this song has taken on entirely new meaning to me. In my mind, this song is the land lord's theme song.

I have two sharkshields and right about the time I feel like a sucker for buying them, something like this happens. I understand the post sighting paralysis. Same thing happened to a bunch of us after the Shark_bait Big Sur thing. First though is to just not move around too much.

I put an illustration in my fishing log. I think I slightly exaggerated Matt's eyes though.

That is awesome!!! 

ok, i have to ask... which kayak were you using that day?

Hobie Adventure with my brand new GTT Mirage Drive, which I must say is great. Its so smooth and so quiet almost nothing can hear you coming.

Glad you guys are OK…...