Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water a great white shark has been spotted off Indian Rocks Beach. No this is no mythical monster bent on revenge but a real live Carcharodon carcharias that will swallow you whole.
Great white sharks regularly turn up off our coast in the winter months. They are often caught by longline fishing boats, but the catches sometimes go unreported for a pair of jaws from this protected species will fetch a high price on the black market.
These apex predators sometime come close to shore as Tom Kane found out Tuesday while he was pulling stone crab traps in 25 feet of water. The Indian Rocks beach captain and and his mate, Mike Whipple, were about six miles offshore when they spotted something following their boat.
"We had about 500 pounds of mullet on board to use as bait," Kane said. "At first we thought it was a dolphin then it swam under the boat and we could see it was a shark....a big shark."
Kane, a veteran skipper is not awed easily, said the shark measured 10 to 12 feet and weighed between 800 and 1,000 pounds. Kane got a good look at the beast when he turned his boat around and followed the fish.
"It circled back and came right up to the boat," he said. "We could see th under belly. It was white."
Kane charters the T-Kat for grouper, kingfish and whatever else is biting. Check out his website at T-Kat or call (727) 460-7029.
Looking for a great day hike for your toddler? How about a romantic paddle to a barrier island with your sweetheart? Planning to buy a backpacking tent but don't know where to start? Find the answers to these and other questions when you take a walk on the "Wild Side" with St. Petersburg Times Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin, who has traveled the globe for the past 20 years looking for adventure.
Awesome...but I'm going to put my kayak away for a few weeks....
Posted by: Marc | January 30, 2008 at 11:39 PM
We're gonna need a bigger boat!...
Posted by: dunedin steve | January 31, 2008 at 06:32 AM
In 1953 the largest white shark, over 1,200 lbs, was caught off the north side of Anna Maria Island in Tampa Bay.
The record was broken in the 60's off Lizard Island in Australia.
Folks we have some large sharks out there.
Posted by: Bland | January 31, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.....
Posted by: tbpirate | January 31, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.....
Posted by: tbpirate | January 31, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Come on, Thats a bunch of "Bull-shark"
Posted by: BIGNUTSACK | January 31, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Marc, don't sweat it they prefer surfers!
Posted by: mike | January 31, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Now you know what is REALLY happening to the grouper. It's not our fault. Let us fish.
Posted by: Fisher | January 31, 2008 at 10:38 AM
What a wonderful sight it must have been. Let's hope some egomaniac doesn't decide to go out and catch it or kill it just because it's a great white. I'm glad the article advised they are protected.
Posted by: Bob | January 31, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Great, great point Bob!
Posted by: TampaDan | January 31, 2008 at 11:45 AM
probably was a mako shark
Posted by: jeff | January 31, 2008 at 12:00 PM
You go inside the cage?
Cage goes in the water, you go in the water. Shark's in the water. Our shark. Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies
Posted by: The Fishin' Pole | January 31, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I hear Great White fin tastes like chicken. Mmmm, shark fin...
Posted by: Damien | January 31, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Nice plug T-Kat. I'm going with Hudson fishing from now on!
Posted by: your mom | January 31, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Wow I love to see Great White Come here in the winter. The comment that states that the largest white was caught in 1953. Well hate to burst your bubble. The biggest White that was caught was in Cuba in 1945. It weighed 3,312 Kilos and it's girth reached 4.5 meters and it was female. Females are the biggest of the whites. On another Anna Maria Island is not in Tampa Bay.
Posted by: Valerie | February 01, 2008 at 01:47 AM
whoever said anna maria island isnt in Tampa Bay waters doesnt no what he is talking about.
Posted by: tanner | February 01, 2008 at 08:32 AM
i assume 25 feet of water...gives me about 5-6 miles out...surfing here is about 30-40 yards out tops...I'll take my chances...I'm still going surfin...
Posted by: Ed | February 01, 2008 at 09:58 AM
no way i live on 20th ave IRB and that is totaly scary as hell i go surfing every time i get the chance and idont like knowing tht there is a great white shark spotted over there im scared as heck
Posted by: corey | February 01, 2008 at 10:21 AM
oh, what's all the fuss about? Sharks, they are like dogs. They only bite when you touch their private parts!
Posted by: ELAW | February 01, 2008 at 10:57 AM
oh elaw. you goon.
there is a front coming in today and there is supposed to be surf.
oh geez, now i have to compete with surfers and sharks.
Posted by: cliff money | February 01, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Im goin surfin saturday. ill try to stay with the crowds
Posted by: Allen | February 01, 2008 at 11:32 AM
If you can even call what we have surf! I'm going to be out there Saturday as long as the "surf" cooperates. I love the 5 second rides the gulf affords us, definately worth braving the great whites for.
Posted by: ELAW | February 01, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Hate to burst your bubbles but none of you are going surfing. At least no here.
Posted by: pluto11 | February 01, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Day at the beach for a couple skimmers:
Tard 1: Hey guys lets swim out to the buoys.
Tard 2: Lawl theres sharks
Tard 1: PASSY!
Tard 2: ok lets go
Tard 1: I just got ate by a shark?
Posted by: senior | February 01, 2008 at 02:54 PM
WOW !! We got some stupit people !!! Anna Maria Island is NOT IN TAMPA BAY AREA !!! NOT EVEN CLOSE TO IT!! Anna Maria Island is in Holmes Beach Fl. That Would make it Manatee County !!!!!!!!!!!! Whom every keeps saying Tampa is STUPIT!!!!!!! Get your facts straigh.
Posted by: Valerie | February 01, 2008 at 04:25 PM