Shark Fishing

I'm not done with all the posts/pictures/video from Disney...but...I really want to share the shark fishing adventure.

After Disney, Mark and I headed to Miami for 2 days (work related...but, fun for me!) while my sister, mother and niece picked up Max from Disney and drove him to Sarasota to stay in a condo on the beach on one of the Keys in the area (can't remember which one). I arrived in Sarasota on Tuesday, March 9 to a bit of a chilly day. On Wednesday, March 10 we hung out on the beach much of the day as the weather was very nice. My brother-in-law was there also and he had geared himself up with some fishing equipment/licenses to fish off the beach. He also purchased Max a nice fishing pole. His first REAL fishing pole with hooks and everything.

Here is a picture of Max and his fishing pole....just kidding. This was Uncle Bill's fishing pole, but, of course Max had to try to fish with it...by himself! Cousin Loryn is trying to keep Max safe while dodging the hook!

After Max bored of trying to hold the ginormous fishing pole, he gave it back to Uncle Bill and Cousin Loryn. A while later Uncle Bill caught this....

This, the Hammerhead Shark, was quite exciting and drew about every single person in the local vicinity to see the commotion. Uncle Bill caught the Hammerhead Shark, cut the fish hook and then held the shark, carefully, for the kids to touch and then quickly released him back into the ocean. The shark was about 2+ feet long and probably 2-4 months old. And, if I am not mistaken (which I could be), these sharks hunt in packs...a bit scary considering Bill was fishing off the beach...can anyone say YIKES! It was too cold to be in the water, thank goodness.

Cousin Loryn wrangled Max and some of the other children to ensure no fingers were taken off or nipped by the shark...thank goodness. She also helped Uncle Bill with the fishing hook removal. Clearly, she is well versed in fishing also. Very cool! Max and I were enthralled with the whole event. After touching the shark, holding an alligator and feeding flamingos were NOOOOO problem for this guy.

After the shark experience was over, Max played with another little boy for a bit. He then found this catfish...already dead, and it appeared to be freshly dead...the shark perhaps???...and insisted Uncle Bill come over to view it.

Unfortunately, Daddy was not in Sarasota for all of these outdoor adventures. However, Mark is quite thankful Max has access to such an experienced outdoorsman to learn.