Re: possible world record Hammerhead
 

About 6-7 years ago I was in Diego Garcia working aboard a merchant ship. I was on watch (working) from midnite to 8am everyday and at 8am I would take the launch boat ashore w/ fly rod in hand. I would wade out onto this flat that had Bonefish and had to wade through deeper water to get to the flat. I had to time the tide or the water would be too deep to wade in one area.

One day, on my way wading back to shore, in about chest high water, I came within about 8 feet of a Reef or Black Tip Shark about 6-7 feet long! He saw me the same time I noticed him and he bolted off! I don't know who was more scared, although I didn't see a brown slick behind him so I guess it was me!!! :o I'd also frequently come across some pretty big Skates buried in the sand while wading. I would touch them with the tip of my 9 ft. fly rod and they would take off in a cloud!

What a "Sharpie" will do to catch a fish!

Re: possible world record Hammerhead
 

Last night I was having a few frosties with one of my crazy dive captain friends. On tuesday he speared a huge grouper which bled out very quickly and before he could bag it two very large sand tigers came out of nowhere and were fighting over it big time . The water was very clear and as he slowly came up he could see big sharks coming up also so he released his other fish bag and one came from behind his tank and under his arm and grabbed it from behind with one gulp. This guy has been bit before by sharks and eels and it usually has to do with food etc and pretty much his fault. I find it amazing that there are not more shark attacks. If it were me I would of released my patented brown anti shark fluid and they would of never seen me...Frank

Re: possible world record Hammerhead
 

When I was in the Dominican Rep. with the CFO and the kids a year and a half ago we went out on a sailing catamaran to do some snorkeling. We were about a 1/4 mile if not a little more off shore and I see this thing popping up and down in the water and realize it is a native guy swimming and dragging some home made float behind him. I told the Capt. and he said it was OK. These guys are spear fishing and they do it all the time. I asked about sharks and he says oh yeah, we lose a half dozen or so guys around here every year. :o
He said the hotels pay them for their catch as they walk off the beach. I still think of the sight of that little guy with some homemade float and basket swimming that far off shore catching fish. My Lord what a set of balls they got to have.

Re: possible world record Hammerhead
 

Willy, those guys have found a way of life...of bringin' $/ food to their families...we lose track of basic survival when we get to live as well as we do here in this blessed land of ours...I know I take it for granted far too often...

On another note, last year, the week after we left Cape San Blas, a 14 tr old was wade-fishin' for trout and had what he'd already caught on a stringer tied from his belt...ringin' the shark dinner-bell...he was lucky...he only lost PART of his leg...

He who thinks they're not there is foolin' himself... ::)...

Re: possible world record Hammerhead
 

OH they are there, right at Sandy Hook in NJ is the largest Great White nursery they have found on the east coast so far. A biologist set up a long line right off the shore, over sixty Great White yutes, 4-6 footers caught over night. They made sure his info didn't get into the general media, but it got out to the fisherman.
And Oz I know what you mean on the survival aspect, I don't take anything for granted, been to many places in the world, I know better. I also know how things can change overnight for anyone.