Staredown with the Taxman at LJ - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Fiskadoro · 06-14-2011, 08:04 PM

Wow!!!

11 feet must be 1500 lbs, plenty big enough to scare you

Jim

yaksailor · 06-14-2011, 08:08 PM

That's some serious stuff, there. I wonder if those swimmers ever see anything between the shores and the cove?

sdfisher · 06-14-2011, 08:13 PM

amazing report, glad you and your daughter were able to witness a magnificent creature so close and came away unscathed with a awesome story!

kind of makes me nervous about going out at 4am tomorrow

flydigital · 06-14-2011, 08:36 PM

Thanks for sharing...

Sounds like a nice big one. 4ft distance away, incredible encounter! Glad you and your daughter took it all in stride. I've heard of a few similar stories in LJ... not too uncommon after all. Plenty of harbor seals and sea lions in the area to whet their appetite!

addicted2sp33d · 06-14-2011, 08:41 PM

Wow... you must have some serious testicular fortitude.

Nic D · 06-14-2011, 08:44 PM

Dave's right, its the ones you cant see you need to worry about. They will be pupping until july-ish, then most will head back out to sea.

10-12 footers aren't feeding or are about to start feeding on seals. Its when they get larger than 12 they're eating seals and become dangerous. Im guessing you didn't see any seals out there today? Usually not seeing seals is dead give away that the tax man is around.

nice report... anyone want to go fish the bay?

bigbarrels · 06-14-2011, 09:23 PM

saw you heading out as I was coming in......RED tandem, right? Something about red

Glad you guys came out unscathed and with a cool story

Aaron&Julie · 06-15-2011, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaksailor

That's some serious stuff, there. I wonder if those swimmers ever see anything between the shores and the cove?

Kahouna, did you bother reporting this to Lifeguards, Coast Guard, or anybody?
Not to start a panic, it's just that we as kayak-fishermen, would prefer to know one has been spotted recently. For one thing, we'll leave our life preservers on all day, which we usually take off and sit on during daylight hours. If one GWS was to flip you some how, that extra buoyancy would be an asset.
If we were swimmers/divers, we'd want to know that information, too.
We couldn't imagine if we didn't report it to some authorities, and then found out a swimmer, diver, etc, was attacked because they were ignorant of the fact a GWS was spotted in the area recently. Not reporting it, would haunt us forever.
We know no one would ever post such information on the theory of reducing the number of kayaker on the water, eh?
We didn't see anything in the news, yet.

Kahouna · 06-15-2011, 05:50 AM

Good point A&J. Who would a person notify? I wondered about it bit figured he is ever present in his waters, we just borrow the area for enjoyment.

wolfman · 06-15-2011, 07:01 AM

Some of my buddies were free diving out there, I am sure they would like to know.

dsafety · 06-15-2011, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahouna

Good point A&J. Who would a person notify? I wondered about it bit figured he is ever present in his waters, we just borrow the area for enjoyment.

This brings up a very interesting question. As Aaron&Julie mentioned, it would be very useful for those planning on being in or on the water to know that a big shark had been spotted in the area. On the other hand, as we saw with the 7 gill biting the diver last week, this kind of report can quickly become overblown and create a panic.

The news media loves sensational stories and what could be more sensational than a guy and his young daughter being drooled over by a large GWS. I think that if this incident had made it to the media we would have witnessed an epic over reaction based on fear and ignorance.

This is a tough one.

Bob

kurtfish · 06-15-2011, 10:52 AM

A group of us launched at 3am today with no GWS sightings and plenty of seals milling around all over. A couple of squitrs and a WSB for me but no GWS reported. The Shark could be up at Catilina by now or anywhere else. I don't think it is necessary to report the sighting to the media then it will be more difficult to get my son back out there with me.

Stone has committed to donate a keg for the Bill Poole Memorial Angling Tourney for our 7/31 11am-2pm BBQ. We are still working on Ballast Point as well so we can have a bit of variety of suds to help with the silent auction bidding.

Look forward to seeing you at the end of July, Kurtfish

wade · 06-15-2011, 12:35 PM

i launched @ 3am today, and was in our little group on the way out this morning...I thought we were all still right next to one another, when i was rear ended full speed from what i thought @ the time was my buddy Andrew. I almost lost both my rods and some gear thrown completly out of my yak from the harsh impact. I flipped on my headlamp instantly, to see which buddy just rammed me?...but when i got a audible response from my friends, their voice was clearly over 50 yards away...

herefishyfishy! · 06-15-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

This brings up a very interesting question. As Aaron&Julie mentioned, it would be very useful for those planning on being in or on the water to know that a big shark had been spotted in the area. On the other hand, as we saw with the 7 gill biting the diver last week, this kind of report can quickly become overblown and create a panic.

Bob

I am both a freediver and kayak fisherman and would prefer to not let the media in on sightings. Since I know the details of the absolutely ridiculous 7-gill fiasco, things DO get blown WAAAYYY out of proportion. I've been in the water in LJ 6 times in the last week and seen several sharks over 7 feet (and literally 100's of WSB

). This morning I had 2 of the biggest 7-gills I have EVER seen swim right over the top of me while I was laying on the bottom between kelp stringers. Very very cool to see. They are thick because of the WSB.

GWS are ALWAYS right off the coast, so why make a big stink about it? Swimmers know they are always there, divers know they are always there, kayak fisherman know they are always there. I could see letting research types know for research sake, but please don't call KFMB. They can put any spin they want on it and so will the enviros.

These are just my opinions, not that they are worth anything

.

Evan

RK · 06-16-2011, 04:15 PM

I saw a Huge shark today in LJ not sure what it was but it was grey and probably twenty feet long. kept investigating me, getting real close to my kayak, then he just ate a seal and went away

flydigital · 06-16-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK

I saw a Huge shark today in LJ not sure what it was but it was grey and probably twenty feet long. kept investigating me, getting real close to my kayak, then he just ate a seal and went away

Today I had a HUGE mark on my sonar down about 40ft that was obviously not kelp.... at first it was one huge semi-arc. Then it lined and slowly very slowly over about 2 minutes came closer and closer until it hit surface clutter and I couldn't track it... but I held onto the rails of my kayak and braced for impact, thinking it was a big shark, or maybe a whale. Never saw the mark after that. Have never seen anything like it. I've metered sea lions, and this was about 3-5 times the size on the meter.

old_rookie · 06-15-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahouna

Good point A&J. Who would a person notify? I wondered about it bit figured he is ever present in his waters, we just borrow the area for enjoyment.

Notify here:
http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.co...shark_news.htm

lamb · 06-15-2011, 08:43 AM

Wow, awesome experience for you and your daughter. How cool that the little one didn't panic! Thanks for the report.

From all the kayak/GWS encounter stories I've read, it seems like it all goes without troubles as you see them first. Seems like if they are in "hunt exploration" mode, they don't announce their presence.

You are incredibly lucky, very few people get to see GWS at LJ, even the guys that spend a ton of time OTW. If it happened recently, it would probably be good idea to notify lifeguards, so they're aware. Local GWS sightings always generate a buzz - last time in February someone saw 5 ft great white, and it was all over the news.

tagyak · 06-15-2011, 09:24 AM

that was a very suspenseful story. glad to hear that you and your daughter had a good time and experiences like this makes lasting memories.
who knows perhaps she may be inspired to pursue marine biology because of it?????

Aaron&Julie · 06-15-2011, 02:17 PM

Can someone remind me what is the emergency channel on those handheld Cobra radios? I think it's 19, but I'm not sure. Thanks.
Not GWS related (I hope), I would just like to know.
Aaron

06-14-2011, 08:44 PM	#6
Nic D Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Clairemont Posts: 813	Dave's right, its the ones you cant see you need to worry about. They will be pupping until july-ish, then most will head back out to sea. 10-12 footers aren't feeding or are about to start feeding on seals. Its when they get larger than 12 they're eating seals and become dangerous. Im guessing you didn't see any seals out there today? Usually not seeing seals is dead give away that the tax man is around. nice report... anyone want to go fish the bay? __________________ instagram - @DRAGO619

06-14-2011, 09:23 PM	#7
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	saw you heading out as I was coming in......RED tandem, right? Something about red Glad you guys came out unscathed and with a cool story __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

06-15-2011, 07:01 AM	#10
wolfman Wolfman Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 51	Shark Some of my buddies were free diving out there, I am sure they would like to know.

06-15-2011, 10:52 AM	#12
kurtfish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: I work in the little Village of La Jolla Posts: 139	Very quite on the Western Front A group of us launched at 3am today with no GWS sightings and plenty of seals milling around all over. A couple of squitrs and a WSB for me but no GWS reported. The Shark could be up at Catilina by now or anywhere else. I don't think it is necessary to report the sighting to the media then it will be more difficult to get my son back out there with me. Stone has committed to donate a keg for the Bill Poole Memorial Angling Tourney for our 7/31 11am-2pm BBQ. We are still working on Ballast Point as well so we can have a bit of variety of suds to help with the silent auction bidding. Look forward to seeing you at the end of July, Kurtfish Last edited by kurtfish; 06-15-2011 at 11:05 AM.

06-15-2011, 12:35 PM	#13
wade Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,214	i launched @ 3am today, and was in our little group on the way out this morning...I thought we were all still right next to one another, when i was rear ended full speed from what i thought @ the time was my buddy Andrew. I almost lost both my rods and some gear thrown completly out of my yak from the harsh impact. I flipped on my headlamp instantly, to see which buddy just rammed me?...but when i got a audible response from my friends, their voice was clearly over 50 yards away... __________________

06-14-2011, 08:04 PM	#1
Fiskadoro ....... Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,509	Wow!!! 11 feet must be 1500 lbs, plenty big enough to scare you Jim

06-14-2011, 08:08 PM	#2
yaksailor Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 66	That's some serious stuff, there. I wonder if those swimmers ever see anything between the shores and the cove?

06-14-2011, 08:13 PM	#3
sdfisher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 179	amazing report, glad you and your daughter were able to witness a magnificent creature so close and came away unscathed with a awesome story! kind of makes me nervous about going out at 4am tomorrow

06-14-2011, 08:36 PM	#4
flydigital Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 192	Thanks for sharing... Sounds like a nice big one. 4ft distance away, incredible encounter! Glad you and your daughter took it all in stride. I've heard of a few similar stories in LJ... not too uncommon after all. Plenty of harbor seals and sea lions in the area to whet their appetite!

06-14-2011, 08:41 PM	#5
addicted2sp33d Here fishy fishy fishy... Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 774	Wow... you must have some serious testicular fortitude.

06-15-2011, 05:50 AM	#9
Kahouna Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 108	Good point A&J. Who would a person notify? I wondered about it bit figured he is ever present in his waters, we just borrow the area for enjoyment.

06-16-2011, 04:15 PM	#15
RK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 736	I saw a Huge shark today in LJ not sure what it was but it was grey and probably twenty feet long. kept investigating me, getting real close to my kayak, then he just ate a seal and went away

06-15-2011, 08:43 AM	#18
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	Wow, awesome experience for you and your daughter. How cool that the little one didn't panic! Thanks for the report. From all the kayak/GWS encounter stories I've read, it seems like it all goes without troubles as you see them first. Seems like if they are in "hunt exploration" mode, they don't announce their presence. You are incredibly lucky, very few people get to see GWS at LJ, even the guys that spend a ton of time OTW. If it happened recently, it would probably be good idea to notify lifeguards, so they're aware. Local GWS sightings always generate a buzz - last time in February someone saw 5 ft great white, and it was all over the news. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

06-15-2011, 09:24 AM	#19
tagyak Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alhambra Posts: 506	that was a very suspenseful story. glad to hear that you and your daughter had a good time and experiences like this makes lasting memories. who knows perhaps she may be inspired to pursue marine biology because of it?????

06-15-2011, 02:17 PM	#20
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Can someone remind me what is the emergency channel on those handheld Cobra radios? I think it's 19, but I'm not sure. Thanks. Not GWS related (I hope), I would just like to know. Aaron __________________ "Never say die"