Great White Attack - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

VINNYC · 10-06-2014, 08:59 PM

So had a crazy day on the water on friday. I witnessed an 18 to 20 foot great white breach out of the water right next to me on my buddy. The shark launched the kayak and my buddy over ten feet in the air like on Air Jaws. This crazy 40 sec felt like for ever. I did not have the go pro on and did not get pics due to having to react and get Ryan out of the water. We did have an earlier bite to a Hobie Pro Angler that threw a bran new angler off of it. I want to throw you guys some things we learned from encounter.

Rules to follow

1. If there is a first attack, its time for everyone to come in. They are unpredictable

2. Always stay Calm in all situations

3. Always have your Marine Radio. Also know how to use it. Be calm

4. Never go without a buddy

5. Stick together as much as you can, even 5ft of distance can mean you getting launched in the air

6. Do not leave your fish hanging over the edge

7. After you have been attacked, stay calm on the radio so you can give clear directions.

These above items were in place during our attack. We had all these things, unfortunately we have planned on great whites being in our fishing grounds but had not planned on seeing what we saw. Always plan on the unplanned. I hope that makes sense. The three of us on the second attack were first responders at for work careers and im not sure if we can credit that or not but there was no time for shock. We had a guy in the water and he needed to get. We pulled Ryan out of the water onto my kayak and there was still no relief due to the fact we didn't know when the GW would be back. I hope you guys can learn from our experience.

ful-rac · 10-06-2014, 09:06 PM

Pretty crazy there vinny!

So is uh jurassic park norte closed for the season?

VINNYC · 10-06-2014, 09:10 PM

But I will be taking the boat out for yellows instead of the yak. I will wait till after october to yak that spot again since thats the golden month

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Pretty crazy there vinny!

So is uh jurassic park norte closed for the season?

VINNYC · 10-06-2014, 09:12 PM

It occured just North of the boat house at Vandenberg

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINNYC

But I will be taking the boat out for yellows instead of the yak. I will wait till after october to yak that spot again since thats the golden month

VINNYC · 10-06-2014, 09:14 PM

There was a 28 year old surfer from the same area attacked just ten miles north from our spot at Vandenberg the day before less then 24 hours. So yes three attacks in less then 24 hours

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINNYC

It occured just North of the boat house at Vandenberg

chris138 · 10-06-2014, 09:23 PM

After an attack in western oz last week, the local authorities issued a green light on the killing of the "rogue" sharks which took off both arms of a local surfer. It's sad that they have to resort to killing the sharks so that people can feel some sort of justice or security.

It's their ocean after all, and it has been for hundreds of millions of years. Glad no one was hurt.

FISH11 · 10-06-2014, 09:15 PM

It is so hard to imagine what is worse to get launched 10 feet in the air and be saved by your buddies or be the buddy 10 feet behind and see the kayak get launched with your buddy on top and get to see the massive Great White directly in front. To experience the girth and power, let alone get to see the teeth of that open mouth. I hope to never experience either. Thanks for sharing.

VINNYC · 10-06-2014, 09:19 PM

I wasn't even 5 feet away to Ryan on his left side. Had I been on the other side of Ryan it would have landed on me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISH11

It is so hard to imagine what is worse to get launched 10 feet in the air and be saved by your buddies or be the buddy 10 feet behind and see the kayak get launched with your buddy on top and get to see the massive Great White directly in front. To experience the girth and power, let alone get to see the teeth of that open mouth. I hope to never experience either. Thanks for sharing.

wiredantz · 10-07-2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINNYC

I wasn't even 5 feet away to Ryan on his left side. Had I been on the other side of Ryan it would have landed on me.

I watched shark week a while back and one of the things I learned is that, Sharks do not want to get hurt while breaching. The shark did not want to land on another kayak, so not doubt landing in the open water was intentional while avoiding other kayaks.

I wonder if hobie will give him a free replacement.... at the very least.

I think that is a very good reason to quit Kayak fishing if you ever needed a reason.

I will not be going out in the area if I hear there has been a first attack!

Vikingj · 10-06-2014, 09:10 PM

Be calm? Is that even possible? Were was the attack in Central Calif ? Glad no one was injured.

chris138 · 10-06-2014, 09:11 PM

Holy smokes!! I heard about this incident Saturday. So everyone is ok??

I case some people don't know, October is by far the most active time of year for GWS attacks in CA. A surfer was also attacked this weekend near pt conception. The most recent fatal attack in SD was also in October. Stay frosty!

paddle man · 10-07-2014, 08:12 AM

RULE #8 THEN GO HOME AND CLEAN THE CRAP OUT OF YOUR PANTS

ashmoz · 10-07-2014, 08:29 AM

h.o.l.y s.h.iiiiiiiii.t!

SorryCharlie · 10-08-2014, 09:12 AM

Unbelievable experience, and well handled guys! While I'm sure you would rather that never happen again, I think you will grow to appreciate the experience (if you can't tell I'm a shark lover).

Stay safe everyone!

10-06-2014, 08:59 PM	#1
VINNYC VINNY Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Central coast california Posts: 128	Great White Attack So had a crazy day on the water on friday. I witnessed an 18 to 20 foot great white breach out of the water right next to me on my buddy. The shark launched the kayak and my buddy over ten feet in the air like on Air Jaws. This crazy 40 sec felt like for ever. I did not have the go pro on and did not get pics due to having to react and get Ryan out of the water. We did have an earlier bite to a Hobie Pro Angler that threw a bran new angler off of it. I want to throw you guys some things we learned from encounter. Rules to follow 1. If there is a first attack, its time for everyone to come in. They are unpredictable 2. Always stay Calm in all situations 3. Always have your Marine Radio. Also know how to use it. Be calm 4. Never go without a buddy 5. Stick together as much as you can, even 5ft of distance can mean you getting launched in the air 6. Do not leave your fish hanging over the edge 7. After you have been attacked, stay calm on the radio so you can give clear directions. These above items were in place during our attack. We had all these things, unfortunately we have planned on great whites being in our fishing grounds but had not planned on seeing what we saw. Always plan on the unplanned. I hope that makes sense. The three of us on the second attack were first responders at for work careers and im not sure if we can credit that or not but there was no time for shock. We had a guy in the water and he needed to get. We pulled Ryan out of the water onto my kayak and there was still no relief due to the fact we didn't know when the GW would be back. I hope you guys can learn from our experience. Attached Images

10-06-2014, 09:06 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Pretty crazy there vinny! So is uh jurassic park norte closed for the season? __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

10-06-2014, 09:15 PM	#7
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,642	It is so hard to imagine what is worse to get launched 10 feet in the air and be saved by your buddies or be the buddy 10 feet behind and see the kayak get launched with your buddy on top and get to see the massive Great White directly in front. To experience the girth and power, let alone get to see the teeth of that open mouth. I hope to never experience either. Thanks for sharing. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids )

10-06-2014, 09:23 PM	#6
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	After an attack in western oz last week, the local authorities issued a green light on the killing of the "rogue" sharks which took off both arms of a local surfer. It's sad that they have to resort to killing the sharks so that people can feel some sort of justice or security. It's their ocean after all, and it has been for hundreds of millions of years. Glad no one was hurt.

10-06-2014, 09:10 PM	#10
Vikingj Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dana Point area Posts: 438	Be calm? Is that even possible? Were was the attack in Central Calif ? Glad no one was injured.

10-06-2014, 09:11 PM	#11
chris138 donkey roper Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pacific Beach Posts: 968	Holy smokes!! I heard about this incident Saturday. So everyone is ok?? I case some people don't know, October is by far the most active time of year for GWS attacks in CA. A surfer was also attacked this weekend near pt conception. The most recent fatal attack in SD was also in October. Stay frosty!

10-07-2014, 08:12 AM	#12
paddle man Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 81	RULE #8 THEN GO HOME AND CLEAN THE CRAP OUT OF YOUR PANTS

10-07-2014, 08:29 AM	#13
ashmoz 192.168.0.1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 397	h.o.l.y s.h.iiiiiiiii.t!

10-08-2014, 09:12 AM	#14
SorryCharlie Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Carlsbad Posts: 140	Unbelievable experience, and well handled guys! While I'm sure you would rather that never happen again, I think you will grow to appreciate the experience (if you can't tell I'm a shark lover). Stay safe everyone!