First encounter with a shark

[scanoefisher]

Making a wade in Redfish cove yesterday evening and the bite was incredible. I had 3 slot reds on the stringer and 2 speckled trout. Caught a ton of specks in the 12-14 inch range. I was in waist deep water.
I see a big stir in the water in front of me and think its a bull red...NO. The dorsal fin pops up in range of my rod tip. My best estimate is around 4-5 feet. It took all I had not to pee inside of my waders, but I've gotten accustomed to dry wades and didn't want to ruin that. I froze. It stayed close to me for about 10 seconds (which seemed like 10 minutes). I started to wade back to the truck, but either had a moment of bravery or stupidity and decided to keep fishing.
As the sun was setting I get a bite and set the hook. My drag couldn't handle whatever it was and took me too the end of my line...snap. fishing over. I'm gussing it was a bull.?.?.?.?
Any of you had close encounters with a black tip like this?

[Curmudgeon]

Oh yeah. They're out there

[TroutSupport]

That's close.......

[Ibtsoom]

First encounter with a shark

Many times. Normally I just throw my stringer on my back and wait till they lose interest. It's never not unnerving though.

[trophytroutman]

Had a few run ins myself.

[coachlaw]

I suppose there are a few people here who haven't heard my shark story. Last I told it was probably 5 years or so ago.

I'm 17 years old and fishin' in La. We've got a 100 trout limit at that time. So I'm fishin' in the surf, wading off the edge of Shell Island. I know I'm about 30 feet from the drop off. I weight 230 dripping wet. I've just strung my 75th trout. I'm flyin' high, about to get after the last 25. I hook one and then it happens. I don't know what it was, and I'd be foolish to make a guess. My stringer is tied to the belt loop of my Levi's 501's. Bet you didn't know they made those so well. Anyway, all of a sudden I'm YANKED and DRAGGED QUICKLY 40 feet to my left. My belt loop finally broke. I remember it happening, but I have absolutely no memory of how I got back to shore. But when I did, I was still gripping my grandfather's fishin' rod . . . . . and I HAD A FISH ON! I absent mindedly reeled it in as a buddy came up to ask me what happened. I took the fish off the hook, handed it to him and said, "I'm done. I'll come to your camp for supper tonight." I left him standing there with a fish, walked across the island to the backside where our boats were pulled up and I went back to the camp. I was halfway home when it really hit me what had happened. I lost my lunch, calmed down, drank several beers, and continued my journey. When I got back to the camp, my dad asked where were my fish. He had heard everyone coming back from there was catching limits. Those that know me know I'm not usually at a loss for words, but I just told him, "I lost them all Dad." Of course he wanted to know the story, but I still didn't know exactly what happened.

I know this, I suspect it was a shark, and one that weighed a LOT more than me. Not a blacktip, or even a bull, but possibly a tiger.

I've waded once since, with Bountyhunter. I never got deeper than my knees, and I used a Do-Net. You won't find me wading anywhere these days. My butt stays on the boat or dock.

[Sisco Kid]

Yes been their, not a good feeling.

[Gulfcoast13]

If you get in the water you are in their world. Everyone should stop wade fishing and switch to freshwater. I will maintain the salt and let everyone know when it is safe to return.

[scanoefisher]

Coachlaw- scary story. Good thing that belt loop gave way.
Gulfcoast- that last line gave me a good laugh.

Jimmy

[plugger]

Thanks GULFCOAST 13 , you're a prince among men . I'll be sitting here waiting for the all clear from ya .

[plugger]

Sharks leave me alone . They know food poisoning when they get close enough .

[Xpress89]

If you get in the water you are in their world. Everyone should stop wade fishing and switch to freshwater. I will maintain the salt and let everyone know when it is safe to return.

Dewayne, put down the takka

[Gulfcoast13]

Dewayne, put down the takka

Hah.. Sunday funday

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[dbarham]

If you get in the water you are in their world. Everyone should stop wade fishing and switch to freshwater. I will maintain the salt and let everyone know when it is safe to return.

I agree let them be

[rtoler]

I thought I ran into a submerged log when I heard a loud bang against my kayak. Come to find out something ripped a 23" trout off my stringer that I had clipped through the jaw. Clean as a whistle.