The Landlord, a.k.a. Whitey, a.k.a. Great White Shark, is around.
Paddling over submerged reef to the kelp beds, lookin around, thinking who is closest to save me if I'm attacked by a shark...but the thoughts give way to desire, and I am comfortable again as I wrap my leg in Bull Kelp and tie off. I do this so I don't get carried away by the current. Bull Kelp is like a natural anchor, and has pretty good strength when strands are bundled together.
There are not a lot of big fish at Old Man's Reef these past few years. Sure, I've read about the shark maulings here on Pacific Coast Shark News website, seen the pictures too. Seems a lady was bitten (mouthed) by a juvenille Great White while swimming, and a spearfisherman was severely harrassed by a larger specimen, all within the last five years or so. You never hear these stories on the regular news.
No, I didn't get bit. I didn't even see a shark, but I know they are here. The seal numbers are getting thin at the mile-out bouys, and I didn't see or hear them all day. I thought that was strange. Could be they were all out fishing (but in the back of my mind I know this is not the real reason). Hmmm.
I was out pretty far, next to some boats, but I was catching a few bass nonetheless. All fish were checked and released. A couple of mystery fish ruined perfectly good lures...Darn!...but beautiful water made up for it though. Either way, it was nice to sit outside with nobody around except a few boats. Margaritaville.
The paddle out was great but the waves got bigger when I started coming in. Right in the break zone, big set waves came screaming through...Darn! With a lot of menuvering, I grabbed a fat one and rode it to the beach.
Fun day. Back to land.
