Is It Safe to Go into the Water?

[Joshie]

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[mahojim]

Thanks for the pix, J.
I think that's my favorite view; the reflection of the top of the water on the sea floor, and vice versa... Makes me thirsty.
What's the name of the huge barracuda off the Caves by Norman Island, again? Fred?
That sucker is big!
Smiles-
MJ

[cptnkirk]

[StJohnRuth]

Fabulous, Joshie.
Thanks!

[Bug]

Oh they just creep me out. I don't mind the jellies or the sharks that most people are afraid of, but those damn barracuda freak me out. All those teeth

XOXO
Bug

[Wakey]

They give fisherman fits!

I can't tell you how many times I've reeled up a fish head thanks to those things.

Those teeth are amazing, every time my red snapper was perfectly lopped off right behind the gills.

I finally caught one, a large one off Key Largo.

He was not released

[mindehankins]

OK. I'm diligently reading every single message here before I start asking a million questions, but I have to stop here.
We go to Florida alot but I don't go in the water much, so I don't worry about sea creatures. I DO intend to learn to snorkel in STJ, though.
Do I need to worry about these things? Anything else I need to worry about looking out for? What do you do if you see one of these?
Sorry. That just scared me.

[Joshie]

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[mindehankins]

Thank you! I have so much to learn! I've been studying this site all weekend! Thank you all....

[Terry]

Your photos are really amazingly beautiful.

I had a large one follow me into shore in Cozumel once. The locals called him "Grandpa". I felt very safe with him by my side as I felt he may scare off other "bad" things.

[rpplano]

Welcome mindehankins! Joshie actually gave you a straight answer on your first week as a forum member.
Welcome!

[Boston Mike]

You folks can never tell my wife that it was baracuda swimming around here knees in Trunk last year. I will never get her in the water again. sssshhhhh

I have a hard enough time getting here on a boat. White knuckles and all.