Every now and then we get to take a trip to the Bahamas to fish and relax in that world-class Caribbean environment. The trips are always memorable, but many of those memories are of the variety that you want to keep to yourself. Being lost in your own thoughts and reflecting on whatever comes to mind does not make for an interesting story. The Bahamas are certainly conducive to that kind of mental exercise though.
On a recent trip to the West End on Grand Bahama Island we had a chance to take our boat out and fish for yellowtail snapper. Always tasty and good fighters on light tackle, I was looking forward to a successful morning. There were a couple of friends along one of whom does not often get the opportunity to fish for saltwater species, but in our younger days caught some of the biggest bass I have ever seen. Remind me to tell you about the martini dogs sometime.
Anyway, we ran about 10 miles north of the West End and anchored up. We started chumming in the manner recommended by our guide (I try to support my local counterparts when in unfamiliar waters – it’s always worth the expense). Soon, as predicted, the yellowtails started to hit our offerings and we were loading up the boat. At one point what felt like “big one” got on the line and just went crazy. Back and forth, toward the boat and away from the boat. It was a truly excited fish.
As we brought the fish to the boat, we saw why it was so excited. Right behind the snapper and moving fast was a shark that was probably 6 feet long. Mouth open and body twisting mirroring the movements of the yellowtail, the shark was looking to make a relatively easy meal out of our already hooked snapper. We got the snapper on the boat (yes, the whole snapper) and abandoned the shark in the water. The flurry of violent activity by the side of the boat that lasted about 3 seconds left an indelible impression on the mind of my bass-catching friend. When he could talk again, he admitted that the scene was incredible, and he had no idea that sharks were that fast. Like so many Kansas natives, he always assumed if a shark approached him in the water, he would simply bop it on the nose and scare it away. Slow motion scenes in movies and documentaries have misled more than one viewer. But now, like so many Floridians, he knows when a 90 pound shark really wants to eat something, it is probably going to chase it down at a speed that could be in excess of 30 miles per hour and its prey’s chances of bopping it on the nose before the fatal impact are nil.
LESSONS LEARNED
People in the sea are no match for the predators in the sea. Sharks really don’t like to eat people, but, when provoked they are formidable animals. The best defense is common sense. Don’t engage in behavior that is likely to attract and aggravate sharks. And keep in mind that if your second-best defense involves bopping, stick with the first one.
ON THE HORIZON
I am sure parts of the Bahamas are still recovering from this past summer’s violent weather. But the people are resilient and will be welcoming guests again this summer as they have for so many years in the past. If you get a chance, go. It will be a memorable trip. Maybe we will see you over there.
