I had my question answered today in La Jolla - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Cbad Mike · 06-20-2014, 06:48 PM

About two years ago while fishing I saw a Great White from about 20 - 30 yards away from me swimming on the surface. I estimated it at about 14 feet long based on the distance from its dorsal fin to its tail which were both out of the water. It slowly swam like that for 30-40 seconds before it went back under. I remember being a little freaked out about it but at the same time feeling pretty excited that I got to see such a creature live and in its natural habitat that most people only will ever see on TV. It's a vision I will never forget.
As we all know, periodically someone will post a report, story, or video here about their or someone else's close encounter with a Great White while kayaking. As I read those posts I always wondered how I'd react if I saw one up close, like right next to me. Would I scream like a little girl? Would I fill my waders with mud? Would I paddle so fast back to the safety of the beach that I'd leave a wake behind me? I thought about it a few times and wondered which one, if not all of those things I would do.
WELL.........
today I got my answer!
I was in my slow relaxed paddle mode trolling a Mack. As I dipped my left paddle in the water I looked down and saw a ton of small fish right beneath the surface. I then continued my stroke on my right side but I didn't see any fish on my right. For a split second I thought that was odd and right when I was about to dip my left side in again I was looking down on my left and a Great White swam past me in the opposite direction. It was about 4 feet away from me and was BIG and FAT!!!! Its dorsal fin was about six inches under the water and I looked at it right in its eye that just looked like a black hole. It's back was dark gray and I could clearly see the separation and pattern between the gray back and white bottom because it was so fat. It looked either pregnant or like it had a seal in its belly and I'd say that it was wider than my Stealth. My kayak is 14 feet and the shark was easily 12 - 13 feet long. As soon as it passed I finished my left stroke and then as I dipped my paddle for my right stroke I turned around and saw it swim up into an on coming swell, turn, and disappear. The whole encounter lasted only about 10 seconds from start to finish but I will NEVER forget it. It is truly an experience that can never be adequately described and I have to say its one of the most amazing things that I've ever seen.
Anyway.......
My question was answered.......
I didn't mess my waders, scream like little girl, or even really break my slow paddle rhythm. (maybe because I didn't see its teeth).
And now my report,
Greenies are around were easy to get on my sabiki.
I fly lined them and pulled them all around the outside of the kelp all day for nothing. Trolling wasn't easy because there are so many floating kelp stringers to avoid. The seals were in force and ate 4 of my Macks. The water was warm and clear.
From what I saw and heard there wasn't anything caught by anyone. SLOOOOOWWWWWW!

06-20-2014, 06:48 PM	#1
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	I had my question answered today in La Jolla About two years ago while fishing I saw a Great White from about 20 - 30 yards away from me swimming on the surface. I estimated it at about 14 feet long based on the distance from its dorsal fin to its tail which were both out of the water. It slowly swam like that for 30-40 seconds before it went back under. I remember being a little freaked out about it but at the same time feeling pretty excited that I got to see such a creature live and in its natural habitat that most people only will ever see on TV. It's a vision I will never forget. As we all know, periodically someone will post a report, story, or video here about their or someone else's close encounter with a Great White while kayaking. As I read those posts I always wondered how I'd react if I saw one up close, like right next to me. Would I scream like a little girl? Would I fill my waders with mud? Would I paddle so fast back to the safety of the beach that I'd leave a wake behind me? I thought about it a few times and wondered which one, if not all of those things I would do. WELL......... today I got my answer! I was in my slow relaxed paddle mode trolling a Mack. As I dipped my left paddle in the water I looked down and saw a ton of small fish right beneath the surface. I then continued my stroke on my right side but I didn't see any fish on my right. For a split second I thought that was odd and right when I was about to dip my left side in again I was looking down on my left and a Great White swam past me in the opposite direction. It was about 4 feet away from me and was BIG and FAT!!!! Its dorsal fin was about six inches under the water and I looked at it right in its eye that just looked like a black hole. It's back was dark gray and I could clearly see the separation and pattern between the gray back and white bottom because it was so fat. It looked either pregnant or like it had a seal in its belly and I'd say that it was wider than my Stealth. My kayak is 14 feet and the shark was easily 12 - 13 feet long. As soon as it passed I finished my left stroke and then as I dipped my paddle for my right stroke I turned around and saw it swim up into an on coming swell, turn, and disappear. The whole encounter lasted only about 10 seconds from start to finish but I will NEVER forget it. It is truly an experience that can never be adequately described and I have to say its one of the most amazing things that I've ever seen. Anyway....... My question was answered....... I didn't mess my waders, scream like little girl, or even really break my slow paddle rhythm. (maybe because I didn't see its teeth). And now my report, Greenies are around were easy to get on my sabiki. I fly lined them and pulled them all around the outside of the kelp all day for nothing. Trolling wasn't easy because there are so many floating kelp stringers to avoid. The seals were in force and ate 4 of my Macks. The water was warm and clear. From what I saw and heard there wasn't anything caught by anyone. SLOOOOOWWWWWW! __________________ [SIGPIC]