Sharks in the Bay

[fire5man]

I made a statement at work last night about the great white that was caught by some fisherman of off NJ. I was then told that was not uncommon for sharks to be found in this area. I was told that the waterman of the bay that work around the Bay Bridge (Annapolis-Kent Island) would catch bull sharks all the time. Then I came across this post:

Baltimore Harbor... a whole new uniqueness to visiting downtown Baltimore... In the summer, the harbor is usually full of life. Schooling menhaden bring in schools of striped bass... which bring in schools of Bluefish... which bring in the Bull Sharks. The sometime large groupings of White Perch, Croakers even Bluegills can also be seen. Maryland Blue Crabs... big American Eels and more. Stay away from the toxic bottom, wear thick full body protection and dodge the floating drug addict needles and condoms, be prepared to clear the trash out of the way as you resurface and brush the little crabs, shrimps and barnacle worms out of your gear... and you'll really enjoy yourself...

Now I have dove in the bay and most of the time you can't see your hand in front of your face. And its not hard to go to the cliffs and find shark teeth. Anyone seen one?

Is this what were talking about?

You would almost think that if they were in the bay people would catch them and there would be news stories.

Anyone see one? Are we talking about big ones?

 

[tuner fish]

While we know sharks are there in the bay, it will be rare. Seeing them, extremely rare. But the sharks cousin, the ray is abundant and spotted frequently. The Cownose Ray will be way up in brackish creeks, often seen just below the surface. 5 to 8 years ago they were all over the eastern shore rivers, seen easily in the early evenings.

A great many species of sharks are regurally at the mouth of the bay.

 

[waterpirate]

When gill netting was still alowed in the Delaware bay, it was not uncommon to net sharks that were to big/ to unruly to boat 6-8 foot. The regular drill was to cut them out of the net, rather than piss them off.
I stopped diving in the bay.
Eric

 

[ChainSaw0069]

My granddad caught a shark in the bay. This was days gone by when I was a wee little kid. I have found sharks teeth but havent scene any sharks myself.

 

[offthewall1]

More to the story...
About three years ago while working in the Harbor at BMC (Lighthouse Point) Marina, one of my divers flew up out of the water with his eyes bulging from his goggles. I mean literally flew up out of the water onto the dock in full gear propelling himself up out of the water with fins.. (picture a Sea Lion shooting himself up on to the dock.)

I asked him what was wrong as he looked white as a ghost. He didn't hesitate to sputter out "Shark." While I was making fun of him and telling him there was no shark down there... a fin tip broke the surfaceabout 10 feet off the dock and a school of rockfish started jumping out of the water (some onto the dock.) I'd estimate the shark was only a 3 - 4 footer but nevertherless, it must have been pretty close to my diver's face for him to have seen it - as vis that day was maybe 2 feet at best.

That would have scared the crap out of me as well. Bull Sharks in 2 feet of vis that are feeding is not a place I really wanted to be... but since my diver wouldn't get back in the water and finish the job - I had to. I never saw the shark and I was able to convince myself that he was busy chasing the rockfish and would have no interest in me.

So yes the Bull shark comes into the bay... and reports of them bumping divers as far north as Hartmiller Island have circulated for years. It not so hard to imagine is it... they've been found thousands of miles up the Mississippi River.... so the bay (and Harbor) is a short walk in the park for them

 

[DGriffin]

One of my employees caught one in the bay yesterday with fishing.....

Now I haven't spoken with her yet, but she is absolutely credible. Now was it truly a shark? I'll need to see the pics, although she comes from a family of Watermen - so I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt.

 

[fire5man]

Posted Photos are always great. I wonder if it was a ray. We catch them all the time. When growing up I always yelled shark and my dad you get mad and yell at me. He hates them.

 

[vtminter]

I have caught my share of whats called a dog fish in the bay. They are small sharks, the largest would be 4-5ft. And a 5 footer would be a biggun. I've never heard of bull sharks regularly coming in the bay. Would I be surprised if they are there? Not in the least.

It would be an ideal place for babies to grow up. Lots of food, and not many predators.

I have also seen dolphins in the bay, and a friend has claimed to have seen a whale, so I would bet the house that some type of shark species ventures into the bay. Bull shark would be the most likely culprit too.

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

No reasons for Bull sharks not to be in the bay, at least according to what I saw on Discovery a couple weeks ago. It is common for them to be in brackish water and can even survive in fresh water.

 

[fire5man]

I guess there is no safe place to hide!