Shark Dive gone Horribly Sour

[Gac]

On the topic of the federal law violation... how far off shore were you all when he snagged the carcass and used it as bait? 5mi? 12mi? 20? 40mi?

Law might not have applied, especially if the law denotes proper treatment for import and export.

 

[ScubaSarus]

We picked it up about 30 miles off Point Judith we went out a total of near 40 miles. Funny thing it had a net of some sort attached and 2 large live crabs were floating with it. Telling me it may have died in the shallows and has traveled very far thus been out there a long time baking in the sun. Thats more lobster and crab bait than shark bait.

 

[Gidds]

Sorry you guys didn't have fun :frown: I stayed up late just to see if you'd post about it then I got worried when I read the other thread about a diving accident off Pt. Judith. I felt bad about that because I'd made a comment in PM about none of you posting yet and that might indicate that you'd become lunch

Anyway I can't deal with smells so I'm glad I wasn't there. One tip however: since I know I have a problem with smells and an over-active gag reflex I've realized that the best way to counteract this is to put my mask on . This is a useful technique I have used many times for cleaning out the fridge etc. Sure you would have looked very silly sitting in the cabin riding out to the dive site with you mask on but at least you wouldn't have been sick. I bet that reporter was very impressed with the dead marine mammal and all eh?

 

[ScubaSarus]

Gidds that mask thing is a good idea. Why didn't I think of that. The reporter got quite ill herself we drove her to Mystic, CT to get her car she was adamant about mentioning that carcass and its impact in her future article. Good luck with the trops. this weekend Gidds, I may be out there too looking for them.

 

[Gidds]

This is entirely off topic but: did you know that if you call the little aquarium in Newport will usually take tropicals? I only keep freshwater so that's what I was going to do with them. If you're out there I'm the redhead in the blue SeaQuest suit with yellow fins and snorkel. I drive a white car with Maine plates.
As a further aside: was there a bald gentleman of medium build with your party? One of the officers of the NEADC (to which I belong) said he was going on a shark charter soon. Basicly what I was told is that the captain was thinking of getting out of the business due to lack-o-sharks but that had since changed. The aforementioned gentleman was going to go on a charter and if they saw sharks he was going to arrange something for the club. I've heard in the past that the captain had a very good rep. but has had no luck finding sharks for like the past two years, so maybe the poor guy was so desperate to get sharks that he didn't use good judgement in bringing Bloaty the Seal aboard? :frown: :yuck: :frown:

 

[Grab Shell Dude]

wow...scubasaurus...what an experience! Hope you are able to sleep at night after that nightmare!
Four questions come to mind and I solicit feedback from the audience: 1) What are the chances of seeing sharks on this type of dive in these waters?? ....is it worth the $$/time/effort?? 2) I believe there are several charters for sharks in these waters ....do they all go to the same location? ....i.e., do captains have their favorite secret numbers?? ...and therefore quite a variance in the chances of an encounter? 3) Why didn't the charter bring chum aboard initially? ...or maybe they did and this carcass action was just a turn-on for the captain/crew?? 4) Did you get at least a partial return of your $$ (or a coupon of sorts for a return visit) because of no sharks??
Hope your experience is better the next time around.....I did two shark dives in Nassau earlier this year and they were nothing short of totally awesome.
regards,
Crush

 

[ScubaSarus]

Oh boy now Grab a Shell is on on the discussion. Earl the chances are usually good to see a shark with this particular captain. You ask for numbers are you thinking of doing a shark dive from The Shark Bait. They brought chum initially but for some reason the captain thought this chunk of seal would really increase to odds. I say it would attract lobsters and crabs better. I don't believe there are any guarantees. The captain operated alone and we became his crew once we set sail. I bet youre glad you didn't accept the offer. Hope things are doing well at school for ya and stay in touch.

 

[ScubaSarus]

You brought up another good point Gidds about the desparation but last years shark dive went well for Video Joe and the expectations were high. I will keep a look out for ya if I am at Ft Wetherill this weekend.

Take care.

 

[RIOceanographer]

I understand there will be an article in the New Haven Register about this trip and focusing on the carcass.

You'll definitely need to show us a copy of that article when it surfaces.

 

[ScubaSarus]

We'll keep you posted Chris I'm eager to see the article also and have requested a notification.