Great White

[the gecko]

OK, its not a real good photo, and it looked better thru polaroids, but here it is anyway.

Ive been away on hols in Yamba, and the fishing in the canals was pretty slow, so I booked a charter for outside. I caught 2 snapper, 2 trag and 2 flathead, and the skipper said ‘lets go to another reef’. We pulled up and saw this fin about 80ft away, so we manouvered the boat in a bit closer. Got as close as 40 ft, and the skipper called it for a great white. He got the books out and positively identified it, pointy nose, white underbelly, same fin shapes. The skipper assured me that this is a rare experience. Hes been earning a living on the water for 30 years, and has never seen a great white in the wild. A pro tuna fisherman on board agreed.

This was 3 miles off Iluka beach on Australia day, he lazed about for 2 mins, then he was off. He was about 9ft long. Not huge for a white, but when he turned to move away, you could see a big girth on him.

Apparently they are only sighted when the cold currents only come up this way in mid Jan to late Feb. Water temp was 23, but had been 16-17 last week.

[BLOOEY]

Wow,I think there were some sightings around the breakwalls down there not so long ago.

[hooknose]

anyone for skurfing !!!

Looked like a good day out there Gecko , Any Fish to add to your tally on that spot or just toothy critters ??

[yakka]

your lucky. It would have been a good and rare experience!

[djboyd]

that would have been a good sight.
i heard that one of around 13 ft was found on the banks off coringle (moreton island) about 7 or 8 years ago. has anyone heard or can alaborate on this story i was told?

[deapsea]

that would of been great to see
can imagine the line that could of screamd off your reel
now that would of been an experience

[rockfisho]

jeez, wouldn't want to be in the water with it, i was surfing and fishing there about a month ago, never saw a shark.

rockfisho

[sarg]

My nanna used to live at silver shores caravan park next to spinnaker sound and there was one caught in the passage no idea where it was over 10 years ago I just remember seeing it on the news as we were staying with her at the time and it was a few metres. Other friends with boats that go out in the bay have seen them as well.

Andrew

[snelly1971]

Bloody wish it was me that close to one....

Lucky bugger....

[DaMaGe]

A rare sight indeed.

[the gecko]

Conditions wer absolutely perfect with dead calm winds all morning. I think it got up to 4-5 kts by 11.30am when we sighted the taxman.

There were plenty of fish on the sounder over a reefy spot, but we didnt catch any more fish after we spotted the shark. I reckon the whole reef population went into hiding when they saw this guy cruising around.

I didnt realise how rare they are. I guess I was lucky.

Andrew

[VoodooChile78]

Wish I had of been there...such an awesome creature. It is a shame that some people still want to kill them...

[2260]

Far out, i was spearing there about 2-30 when the charters were coming in! I had about 1 m vis at best at Illuka breakwall, i nailed a tailor and was keeping an eye out for some teeth, Bloody lucky i say!!!!!!

[the gecko]

Yes you were lucky. We were 10 mile nth of the breakwall when we saw it around 11am. It headed off south, in the general direction of the breakwall. I guess it wasnt hungry after lunchtime, lol. Going spearfishing again soon?

[fisher28]

are you sure it wasnt nessie?