Doug Niblack just wanted to catch one last wave off the Oregon coast last week at a spot called 'the cove" when the improbable occurred. Niblack's long board hit something that caused him to stumble. He then found himself on the back of a great white shark.
“It was pretty terrifying just seeing the shape emerge out of nothing and just being under me. And the fin coming out of the water. It was just like the movies," Niblack told the Washington Post.
Jake Marks was off-duty from the U.S. Coast Guard and said he didn't see the shark, but he did see Niblack suddenly stand-up with the water churning all around him.
Marks told Huffington Post that he joined Niblack in paddling as fast as he could for shore after seeing a large shape swimming off between them just beneath the surface.
"I have no reason to doubt there was a shark out there," Marks said in Huffington Post. "With the damage to his board, the way he was yelling and trembling afterwards – there is no other explanation for that."
But since there was no video or photos, there were those who were skeptical that the alleged ride even took place.
Thanks to News Direct, an animation services company, there is a YouTube mock- up version of what Niblack said happened when he involuntarily took a few-seconds-long ride on the back of a great white shark. If Niblack's account is true, it most certainly was an E-ticket ride that he will never forget.
Rockfish abound
There is good rockfishing just about everywhere now to help fill in the void for the lack of surface fish action. Nice fishing for a variety of the more than 60 different species of California Rockfish that inhabit our waters from the Channel Islands to San Diego.
In most cases, you will be fishing in about 300 feet of water, so you’ll need a 10-ounce torpedo sinker, along with a two-hook rig. Make sure you watch others that are catching fish or ask a crew member for the hot bait. In most cases, a lively sardine or anchovy will be just right. Strips of mackerel are also effective and don’t forget how much big lingcod like to munch on a freshly caught sand dab.
San Nicolas Island
The Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach had very good rockfishing on Saturday here. Lots of reds and salmon grouper with some lingcod too. The weather was flat, calm and beautiful.
Central California albacore
Albacore, the prized longfin tuna pulled a no-show on Southern California anglers this year, so anglers are keeping a close eye on the white-meat tuna off Big Sur and surrounding areas. Clark Franke from Santa Barbara was on the Pacific Queen with 16 anglers on Friday when they caught only seven albacore of up to 40 pounds.
“The crew was great and there were people from Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles on board,” said Franke. Despite lots of hard work and looking, fishing was slow.
Catalina and San Clemente Island
Good for rockfish, perch and a few calico bass. There have been a few yellowtail taken near the West End of the Island but still not enough to fulfill many angler dreams.
San Diego
The offshore bite has become less consistent, with some boats still catching five fish Mexican limits of yellowtail but others not faring so well. The 3-pound to 10- pound yellowtail are being found on floating kelp paddies about 140 miles from Point Loma. There have been a few tuna and dorado in the mix, too, but very few.
Potential state record white seabass
A 79-pound white seabass was caught by Justin Barry on Friday near Santa Cruz and weighed in at Bayside Marine on Wednesday. If the submission to the IGFA is approved, it would be a new state record by about one pound.
Whales: Fantastic whale watching has been the rule this week off Newport Beach, Dana Point and Long Beach, as well as Palos Verdes, Redondo and Hermosa Beach. Copious amounts of krill off Long Beach have attracted lots of different whales coming in for the krill.
Blue whales, fin whales, humpback and minke whales have been seen for much of this week, surface feeding on the tiny shrimp-like creatures about 6 miles from the Long Beach breakwall.
Philip Friedman Outdoors Radio
Don’t miss us every Thursday, 9-10 p.m. on AM 830 radio. You can also go to PFO on Facebook for breaking news and to win free fishing trips and gifts for a “LIKE.”
