Leffingwell shark strikes again.

Been a long time since I've posted but here goes.   
On July 5th Andy1976 and I headed out for some rockfish, ling, and halibut from Leffingwell and headed SSW for 100' water and structure.   We have both been there a hundred times kayaking but that day was different.

While tying on a new jig in my kayak in between kelp in 75' I saw a wide flash of grey rapidly strike my kayak from below and to my left striking the bottom center left side of my kayak.  I was knocked into the air aprox 4 feet.  When I landed in the water I could see the shark swimming towards me looking to my right. The shark bumped into me with its left cheek and side fin.  I returned to my kayak to flip it over.  I was at the rear third of the kayak with my right arm reached across on the other side.  Just when I was about to flip the kayak the shark returned and bit down on the whole bow of my kayak.  The shark started shaking and swimming at the same time.  I could not maintain my grip and the kayak and shark passed under me with its dorsal fin brushing against my right arm and right side of my face.  The shark traveled about 30 feet or so with the kayak then the shaking stopped.  I held a defensive crouching position while looking around for about 2 minutes until my fried arrived in his kayak.  I laid on the back of his kayak with my legs out of the water and he took me back to my kayak.  Andres helped me flip my kayak over, I got in and hauled ass to shore because of the amount of water in my hull.  We made it safely to shore without further encounters.

I hope this story does not discourage anyone from the ocean kayak fishing sport.  I have been there before loads and never had a problem.  Im sure I could go another hundred times without incident too. (not that I feel like it at the moment though).   Just glad I was okay in the end and had my buddy with me who helped me keep cool while bobbing in the water waiting for him to arrive.

From: Ugoretz, John@Wildlife <John.Ugoretz@Wildlife.ca.gov>
Sent: Thursday, July 8, 2021 9:30 AM
To: Brian Jackson
Subject: RE: Photos
 
Hi Brian,

 

I wanted to let you know that your incident has been added to our white shark information web page. No details about you or the incident are included, just the location and count of incidents. Yours was the 197th shark incident in California that we have documented since 1950. It was the second at Leffingwell landing. The previous one occurred in 2012 and was quite similar, with a shark hitting a kayak and dumping the kayaker into the water without significant injury.

 

John

I saw your friend's post somewhere else.  Glad you are OK, that must've been scary as hell.  Closest encounter I've heard, too damn close! Wow, just wow!   And thank you for sharing this, it's a reminder that we are in their backyard.  Again, glad you are OK and I wish you a speedy recovery.


That's two attacks within 30 days, maybe the weather shifts things over, July/August is the new October.  I mean, look at the size of the salmons, rite?  Then again, I maybe hallucinating .....


Be safe everybody.


BTW, did you have any bloody fish in the water? Just wondering if its food incentive or territorial/curiousity attack.

Wow glad it all worked out for you.  Scary!!!

holy $hit, glad you're ok to share your story here. That's as close and aggressive encounter as you can get w/o getting hurt...nothing like a bump or a drive by. Just wondering, but did any of you use a shark shield?

That’s crazy Brian! I saw Andres’ post on FB. Thanks for sharing your experience. Of the ~18 gws attacks on kayaks, this is only the 2nd or 3rd where the shark returned or continued attacking the kayak. Scary shit. It will be a great story when you’re 80 years old though

Glad u made it out  safe... this ones gonna be a conversation topic of a lifetime.

Scary stuff! That was definitely one persistent shark...

Certainly glad your alright and escaped without injuries. Fish there all time. I’m sure as more people hear of experience more will be more cautious.

Glad you’re okay and kept your wits about you during the encounter!  Be safe out there 👍

Glad you came out unscathed, man - that must've been freaky for sure.

I played the whole scenario in my head and it is a grain of salt to what you experienced.  I hope your story brings much hope to many in all different circumstances beyond kayak fishing...be well and glad you made it...   

Thanks for sharing, and glad to hear you’re ok. Maybe it’s time I finally swallow the extra weight of those damn magnets I planned on installing inside my hull…

Wow, glad you're okay. You came out unscathed and have the story of a lifetime. The fact that it brushed you several times is incredible!
Any estimate on the size? I don't suppose you had a Shark Shield?

Way to stay calm and come back in one piece.
Andrew

No pix=Never happened.

Bouché