Shark Encounter off Galveston
Submitted by Keith Landry
Often, when folks hear the word "shark," it
automatically brings to mind a vicious, man-eating, teeth-wielding creature
from the deep. But for one group of anglers aboard the Dotty J, a 47-foot
Viking Sport, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
While diving and fishing on Aug. 16, our group encountered a 25-foot whale
shark 66 nautical miles off the Galveston shore near the Claypile Banks in about
160 feet of cobalt blue water.
We were able to keep the shark's attention by tossing it chopped squid, which
it consumed faster than a grade school student eating a Twinkie.
After catching a few of the Texas size Ling (Cobia) that were traveling with
the shark, we decided to focus our attention on the shark.
The shark was lured to the back of the boat, which has a large swim platform,
with chopped squid.
I climbed over a transom and onto the swim platform. Raising my hand, giving
the shark a target to focus on, I led the shark to the back of the boat with
the chopped squid.
The shark came right up to the swim platform and allowed me to hand feed it
and touch its broad, flat snout as Joe Pepas Jr maneuvered the boat and took
photos from the upper bridge tower.
I called for boat owner and captain Jack Pepas' granddaughter, Krystin Pepas
Jaenicke, to join me. Without hesitation, Jaenicke climbed over the transom
and onto the platform, extending her hand in friendship to the massive shark.
The shark made another approach to the swim platform, feeding on the squid
being tossed to it.
With fearless Jaenicke on the platform, the shark opened its mouth, raised its
head and gently placed its chin on the swim platform, allowing the group to
rub its head and hand feed it chopped squid and Captain Jack Pepas Sr took
close up shots of the encounter.
We were able to keep the shark near the boat for about an hour. When we ran
out of squid and cut bait, the shark departed slowly on its way.
Click on a thumbnail to see a larger
picture
Credits:
- Boat Owner and Captain - Jack Pepas Sr.
- First Mate - Joe Pepas Jr.
- Vessel - Dotty J , 47' Viking , Galveston Yacht Club
- Photography - Tower shots, Joe Pepas Jr. (35mm Cannon
and assorted disposable cameras)
Close ups, Jack Pepas Sr.
(disposable camera)
- Crew- Krystin (Pepas) Jaenicke of Houston, Texas
Joe Pepas Sr. of New York
Keith Landry of Houston,
Texas
Texas Gulf Coast
Fishing
