Meet Mother Nature while out on the water

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

So you think it's safe to swim in the ocean? Think again.

This month, two great white sharks have been caught and released in Florida waters.

On March 3, a 14-foot, 2,000-pound great white was caught and released about 200 yards outside the mouth of the Jacksonville Inlet. The shark was equipped with a tracking device and sent on its way. Also, two great whites that had been tagged in Massachusetts were tracked to the Jacksonville area in January. One of those sharks estimated to weigh in at about 3,500 pounds and was said to be in the Jacksonville Beach surf.

Then, on March 18, in the Gulf of Mexico, an angler from Canada fishing aboard Capt. Sam Maisano's boat caught and released a great white that was estimated to be 18 feet and weighed between 2,500 pounds and 3,000 pounds. The mammoth fish was caught in 90 feet of water about 30 miles west of John’s Pass.

Scientists don't know why these fish are showing up in Florida waters; they are normally found in colder waters. Only research from the tracking devices might hold the answer. Mother Nature — you have got to love her.

Speaking of Mother Nature, there always seems to be something to see when you're out fishing if you pay attention to your surroundings.

For example, this past week when I was out fishing, I got to witness some nature at its finest.

In the Intracoastal Waterway, I saw dolphins feeding, an otter swimming across the river and a bald eagle soaring overhead.

As I was fishing a canal in Flagler Beach, I heard a loud splash. I said to myself, That didn't sound like a fish. And when I turned to look, it was six baby wild boar swimming across the canal.

But one of the best moments was on Tuesday, when I had a client out fishing. We were in Stomach Lake looking for redfish when this front started to approach. It was the eeriest sight either of us had ever witnessed. The cloud formations and their colors were indescribable. You could feel the temperature drop and the winds pick up. Although it only lasted about 10 minutes, it's something neither of us will soon forget. After it passed, we did go on to catch flounder, jacks, bluefish and trout.