TIGER SHARK 8/07/16

We launched the boat around noon today. The plan was to catch cobia off Manta Rays. On the way out we found a school of 40"+ Redfish on the surface several miles offshore, and plenty of rays, but only a few short cobia. Finding Redfish on the surface was a cool enough surprise, but it got better:

While passing by another boat that was fishing on what we thought was a big barrel their crew hollered at us, warning us that there was big Tiger shark in the immediate area. As it turned out, that big barrel we saw ended up being a full grown sea turtle that the shark was enjoying for lunch. To make things even cooler, there was a cobia on the shark that the guys in the other boat said wouldn't eat anything. I yelled, half kidding, "Want us to shoot it?" Well, that is exactly what we did.

The cobia swam straight up to me as soon as we got in the water, but the vis was so poor we couldn't see the shark until it was almost right on us. The shark was easily 10' long, probably closer to 12'. Keeping one eye on the shark, I took a shot at the cobia, but missed it completely. Fortunately, Nick Furro sealed the deal with a very solid cobia, all with a GoPro strapped to his head. I've never experienced anything like this. 

Here he comes...

and because I missed my shot I'm holding an unloaded gun.

Take 2 on the cobia.

We dive is 8'+ Bull sharks all the time and this thing made them look like baby sharks.

As the shark swam away Nick lined up his shot for the cobia.

Got 'em on.

Now it was time to get out of the water.

We returned to our boat (post-haste).

And the Tiger returned to his turtle.


I hopped in for a quick kill shot.

Here is the end result.

Oh, did I mention the school of Redfish way offshore? That was pretty cool, too.