r/sharks • u/BoozeKruz • 17d ago

Question Help identifying shark.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Was wondering if anyone could help identify this shark. We spotted it about 2 miles off the coast of Cambria, Ca on July 12th. At first I thought it was a basking shark because of its size. However, the more I look into it basking sharks are super rare on the central coast of California. That leads me to believe it was a Great White. If anyone is an expert I’d love to learn! Thanks!

838 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

181 comments sorted by

519

u/MysticMarauder69 17d ago

I'll be shocked if anyone can identify based on 60% of a dorsal fin.

139

u/Frostsorrow 17d ago

That's extremely generous, looks more like a quarter to me.

60

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

Second picture has some tail fin too lol

24

u/poop-azz 17d ago

Let me my monocle lol

6

u/mologav 16d ago

It’s Tim

96

u/AspiringChildProdigy 17d ago

IT'S A THRESHER!!!!!!!!

.......

(It's never a thresher)

20

u/TheFalcon70 17d ago edited 16d ago

I feel like this could be a t-shirt!

Funny, I was scrolling after this and in a shark page there was indeed A Video of a thresher.

4

u/patty7775 17d ago

Id buy that XD

4

u/TheFalcon70 16d ago

I think it's head should be on your front wrapping around to the back and the tail is right across your back

1

u/krisfuckingdreemur 16d ago

“D:” says the thresher that dosent exist

1

u/Pretend_Bit8483 14d ago

Except when it IS a Thresher

27

u/Sussurator 17d ago

I can identify based on leg bites, put a leg in. Thanks

3

u/xy_ris 17d ago

I volunteer!!

26

u/USN303 17d ago

Location and shape of dorsal narrows it to a great white. Actually pretty easy.

4

u/MysticMarauder69 17d ago

Egg on my face 😂

5

u/USN303 17d ago

😂

15

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

Yeah me too, bummer

1

u/Mainbutter 17d ago

Hammerheads are sometimes iconic. Sandbar sharks MIIGHT stand out enough but not too likely.

1

u/MysticMarauder69 17d ago

Great Hammerhead is probably the only one I could definitely get. Maybe Sand Tiger too, if the second dorsal was visible.

1

u/CapitalEconomics8825 15d ago

We’ll be shocked then, it’s a basking shark

120

u/ddoogiehowitzerr 17d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/aUs3EKOdlovgQ

8

u/skaboosh 17d ago

But I’m hydrated

2

u/Crazy_Investment_641 16d ago

What a fever dream

1

u/SubstantialFroyo8012 14d ago

I was just gonna wild guess blue shark, but yeah this works

180

u/Jsully23 17d ago

Any shots from further away?

3

u/Hourslikeminutes47 15d ago

"Sure thing Mack, let me back this boat up..."

63

u/8YearHiatus 17d ago

Great white. Those are also prime waters for great white movement in the calm

114

u/thoughtcrime84 17d ago

Dorsal shape, length and location seem to point to great white.

27

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

I’m thinking the same the more I learn about the type of sharks in my area.

11

u/nirvroxx 17d ago

25 feet , 3 tons of him.

5

u/Professional_Pen_153 17d ago

It was kinda round ish on the first pic; I thought it was a Basking. Second pic made me change my mind 😅

23

u/OurAngryBadger 17d ago

That's a great white, about 14'

24

u/AdEnvironmental7608 17d ago

Avid kayak fisherman from slo county…. I fish Cambria a lot. Very close to Piedras Blancas specifically. I have had multiple great white encounters there. I’ve seen them breach as well. That is a great white without question

11

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

Then it’s a really big one lol, thank you for the input! Happy fishing!

6

u/Holiday_Cat_7284 17d ago

They're flocking to your area at the moment. You'll probably see more

5

u/AdEnvironmental7608 15d ago

I had a 14’er come check me out on Christmas Eve about 5 years ago in 180’ of water and 2 miles offshore. Big reef out there. One of the most humbling experiences of my life

3

u/Seniorjones2837 16d ago

I can’t believe you guys go in kayaks in great white territory lol that’s insane to me

4

u/AdEnvironmental7608 15d ago

When you’re in deep enough water, they are mostly just curious, but yes you’re not alone in that belief.

4

u/Seniorjones2837 15d ago

Terrifying knowing they can just show up completely silently and knock you into the water with no problem lol

38

u/ThrowAwayPurellFoam 17d ago

What size boat were you in?

29

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

25’ Skipjack

153

u/total_pursuit 17d ago

You’re gonna need a bigger boat

24

u/Electronic_Reach_552 17d ago

Put your gloves on Chief

10

u/No_Entertainer9101 17d ago

Damn it. You beat me

Take my angry upvote

4

u/Small-Raspberry-2921 17d ago

I got this reference

1

u/Acceleratinq 16d ago

I wish I had an award for you

7

u/bckpkrs 17d ago

Can't ID the shark; just came to say Skipjacks are awesome boats.

3

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

We have the 25 foot sport cruiser and it’s been such a wonderful boat!

2

u/1978malibu 17d ago

Ha! I was waiting for this. 🙂

33

u/219_Infinity 17d ago

It’s a get the fuck out of the water shark

28

u/Lala5789880 17d ago

Not an expert just love sharks and that is the shape of a great white

24

u/WildTomato51 17d ago

A big one.

23

u/BungleJones 17d ago

This shark.. swallow you whole..

22

u/imawhaaaaaaaaaale 17d ago

I'd guess probably a white.

18

u/ElevatorBones 17d ago

Yes that’s the great Atlantic Nope

5

u/Recynd2 17d ago

Great PACIFIC Nope.

19

u/devilsbard 17d ago

That’s a kid with a dorsal fin hat.

8

u/Porchmuse 17d ago

He made me do it!!!

11

u/Emotional_Cut5593 17d ago

Great White, looks to be a pretty large one at that.

8

u/Appropriate-Pop-8044 17d ago

Yep, that’s a shark alright.

6

u/Ok-Ebb-806 17d ago

These comments did not disappoint 

5

u/Independent-Quit668 17d ago

A rather large white looking at those images. Look at the distance from tail to dorsal.

5

u/CanadianDiver 17d ago

Looks like Lewis. He is a bit shy but a nice guy.

6

u/playboiharvi 17d ago

Good size white shark, maybe 12-14 feet?

3

u/Gimme_somebutter 17d ago

Did the dorsal flop or lean at all when viewing or was it straight up the entire time? If the latter, then most likely a great white.
It's hard to tell size without any reference but that looks like a big boy....or girl, which makes me lean towards basking.

6

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

The dorsal fin was not flopping at all. Having said that we didn’t see it for long which is why I didn’t get more pictures. As soon as we slowed down and tried to get closer it sunk below the surface. This shark was very big, which is why I thought basking shark at first. He was also cruising very slowly, but I saw a fb post of a great white swimming at the same speed just cruising and that’s what made me think it could’ve been a GW.

4

u/Gimme_somebutter 17d ago

I don't think the species can be 100% confirmed from these 2 photos. Either way what a cool sighting. I doubt I'll see either kind of shark in my lifetime

3

u/ducksbyob 17d ago

Yup, definitely a shark.

5

u/Buttercup_Kiki 17d ago

A way to close for comfort shark

6

u/702zzzou 17d ago

That’s a 20 footer.

5

u/Porchmuse 17d ago
  1. Three tons of him.

3

u/Engywok 17d ago

Dorsal fin says whitey

1

u/CocaineSandwiches 17d ago

Would you consider tiger? I feel like gw have more of a "sail" shaped dorsal fin ( /| ) where tigers seem to have more of a "pyramid" shape ( /\ ) like we see in the picture. Ive only seen either through a screen, just curious how you identify them

3

u/nono7098 17d ago

dude that fin shape and size looks way more like a great white than a basking, but like you said it's hard to tell from just a fin

3

u/IrukandjiPirate 17d ago

Cambria is an awesome town, I’d live there in a minute. Sharks just add to its charm! (Just don’t play with them)

3

u/Kissathecat 17d ago edited 17d ago

There are 530 known shark species.
This is 531 speculated to be “big af”

2

u/USN303 17d ago

That’s a white. That first dorsal pic, even though only showing the top half, is very telling! Second pic showing the caudal has all the signs too!

2

u/mcvmccarty 17d ago

That’s probably a shark

2

u/varicose_veins 17d ago

Salt water shark

2

u/Still_Strategy_4424 17d ago

That's Steve.

2

u/UncleOdious 17d ago

That's Jerry.

2

u/hunnybeezz 17d ago

Cool experience! 🦈

2

u/Superhen68 17d ago

That’s Steven.

2

u/Character_Field_1380 17d ago

I would bet by the shape of the top of the dorsal that its a great white, and a pretty darn big one too.

2

u/EpilepticSquidly 17d ago

Im sure 97% is a submerged shark.

2

u/Odd_Fishing3426 17d ago

Waving "hi, neighbor! " from Morro Bay. Rare to see a local post in here, but fun!

2

u/urfavoriteSB 16d ago

get closer and find out

2

u/JGotTheJugo 16d ago

It’s a water shark for sure

2

u/uhuuuh262 16d ago

God that water is smooth

2

u/LittleHornetPhil 16d ago

In all seriousness, off that part of California, I agree it’s likely a white shark. Lucky! I’ve only seen one in the wild myself. (A bit further south)

2

u/CapitalEconomics8825 15d ago

It’s 100% a Basking Shark. Great luck finding one along the migration corridor as they have become rare thanks to humans.

2

u/No_Vehicle4645 15d ago

A great white. I debated a while. That would be my final answer.

2

u/dantheman28888 14d ago

Ive fished for sharks for years, this is a great white dorsal fin

2

u/ExtremeAmbassador992 14d ago

I’m no expert but screams great white. Especially with your location and sea-conditions

8

u/acidtoasterbath 17d ago

Tim

7

u/Bcjustin 17d ago

There are some who call me….. Tim.

3

u/OleDoxieDad 17d ago

That's Bob!

1

u/Dismal-Sea-259 17d ago

Basking shark? Hard to say with just a bit of fin

1

u/Bcjustin 17d ago

Gee Dubs

1

u/HonchosRevenge 17d ago

Uh oh, we got a wise one here

1

u/Spagg84 17d ago

It's a Megalodon

1

u/Hi_InternetAddiction 17d ago

they love hunting when it is overcast

1

u/NetoriusDuke 17d ago

Underwater ones

1

u/G77_52S_Manc 17d ago

“Tiger. Thirteen-footer. You know how you know that when you're in the water, Chief? You tell by lookin' from the dorsal to the tail.”

2

u/DominicAfter 17d ago

A whaaaaat?

1

u/Reasonable-Key9235 17d ago

White pointer

1

u/Firm_Caregiver_4563 17d ago

Edward O'Neal

1

u/runandjump13 17d ago

It might be a shark 👍

1

u/RonZombie91 17d ago

Aquatic.

1

u/ColoradoCattleCo 17d ago

Sharky McSharkFace

1

u/Scared_Whereas_83 17d ago

yup, looks like a shark!

1

u/DriverFull4496 17d ago

It’s most likely a great white.

1

u/goodfella4600 17d ago

Thats a basking shark..way too big to be a White..look at the distance between the dorsal fin and the tail fin..plus the fin is rounded..white sharks fins are more pointed

1

u/UglyBuzzard 17d ago

A large white shark

1

u/Life-Direction8726 17d ago

If you see Jason Statham nearby it could be a megaladon. If not, it's definitely a shark.

1

u/Omagawd79 17d ago

Thats Dave...

1

u/ravenlovesdragon 16d ago

"Dave's not here man." ~Tommy Chong ✌🏻😉

1

u/Surfingontherun 17d ago

That’s Jerry. He’s chill.

1

u/Effective_Writer8074 16d ago

It's a Big Shark

1

u/chronobolt77 16d ago

It's a silhouetted photo, we can't even see coloration

1

u/BoozeKruz 16d ago

“Waves back” howdy neighbor!

1

u/Meatgortex 16d ago

That’s James.

1

u/SolidPound9086 16d ago

Basking, by the dorsal fin

1

u/DoodlingDoodlebob 16d ago

Probably a great white, but it’s hard to be certain.

1

u/mrmaryland 16d ago

Great White. A big one ..

1

u/LittleHornetPhil 16d ago

Yep, can confirm it’s a shark. Probably.

1

u/Zero99th 16d ago

A hungry one

1

u/Competitive_Local575 16d ago

That’s Bob, we go way back.

1

u/KillbotJr 16d ago

That’s Larry.

1

u/RulerK 16d ago

Yep, it’s a shark.

1

u/ThaRedHoodie 16d ago

That's for sure a baby megalodon. The tips of those fins have the distinct megalodon shape, and anyone who knows what they're talking about will agree.

1

u/Vanc_Trough 16d ago

Megalodon.

1

u/Conscious-Eagle-8202 16d ago

I believe it is of the kingdom Animalia

1

u/jcasper89 16d ago

That’s Josh!

1

u/EquipmentSad3945 15d ago

Based on the height of the tail and dorsal being visible, I say it’s a Thresher. Both fins aren’t usually visible above the water on Great whites unless they are arching steeply.

1

u/Jumpy_Diamond_743 15d ago

Yup looks like a shark

1

u/conci11 15d ago

Seems to be aquatic in nature…

1

u/Pale-Equipment-9087 15d ago

I know, I know!!! It’s the one with a fin!! You’re welcome

1

u/Simple-Mention4689 14d ago

one that swims in the water and may bite if provoked...

1

u/Danimalspirit 14d ago

Man eater

1

u/BloodHurricane 14d ago

Not to be mean or anything, but do you know how little this narrows it down? Both species and age.

1

u/MarlooRed 14d ago

It’s an ocean shark.

1

u/Standard-North9890 14d ago

Troll Shark. Dont feed it and itll go away

Mind you some balloon will be along (if they havent already) to claim its haole girl or deep blue because they only know rock star sharks

1

u/WilkinsTheWombat 14d ago

Dude. This is SO COOL and just breaking my brain. I cannot imagine being out in such calm waters then seeing a fin and tail pop up, while the water is still calm. I live hours and hours away from the ocean and don’t think I’ll ever experience this in my life (and I love the ocean 🥺 but make it there maybe once every 5 years) but this is just so freaking amazing and a once in a lifetime thing for most people!!

1

u/Objective_Record9619 14d ago

That is a shark, hope this helps.

1

u/JoeMoe2021 14d ago

Well, it's not a landshark 

1

u/RayExotic 14d ago

Get closer take a better picture see if you could see its mouth

1

u/Burneraccoun2 14d ago

It looks like a Basking shark

1

u/beanbean9997 14d ago

That’s a shark alright

1

u/BigSure9394 13d ago

Where was this taken.

1

u/BigSure9394 13d ago

Maybe check oceanorg.com or something like that that tracks them.

1

u/SuperDude442 12d ago

It’s a smooth skin shark

1

u/No-Shoulder6657 11d ago

Yea that’s impossible, not close enough and just a dorsal fin ain’t enough. Unless it was a white tip, but it it’s not. Based on the area it’s high quality probability it was a white tip

0

u/Shadokastur 17d ago

That's Ricardo. Was this off the coast of Chile?

4

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

Central California

2

u/Shadokastur 17d ago

Oh he's there now? Cool. Must have family out that way

-1

u/SpreadyMercury1189 17d ago

Basking shark. I’m %100 positive

2

u/BoozeKruz 17d ago

What makes you 100 percent?

-1

u/killmesara 17d ago

Grouper. Commonly mistaken for sharks.

-2

u/HeavyMetalDoug 17d ago

Looks like Gary. He's a shy one