Bull Sharks in the Navesink River?

[pcheesesteak]

Article (https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/s/h7k4q/unconfirmed-bull-shark-sightings-navesink-river-cops)

[shrimpman steve]

Always possible. If I want to swim, I find a pool!

This one attacked my tour boat

You never know what’s lurking in the water:eek:

[John D.]

Was in a skiff in the navesink today and before I saw the article literally asked my son (8) imagine if there were any big sharks in here? He loves sharks and laughed 🤪

[tjd24]

Remember the 1916 series of shark attacks along the Jersey Shore?

It was the basis for the book "JAWS" by Peter Benchley and that provided the Screen Play for the movie "JAWS"

Many think a Bull Shark was responsible for the Matawan Creek attacks.

[stugots]

They are cow nose rays and swim with their fins up at the surface. People have been confusing them for sharks for years. Not saying its impossible but the so called sightings are more than likely the rays. See them every summer come through.

[june181901]

I sure hope they aren't in the Navesink River! That's would just be one more bad thing for 2020.

[John D.]

They are cow nose rays and swim with their fins up at the surface. People have been confusing them for sharks for years. Not saying its impossible but the so called sightings are more than likely the rays. See them every summer come through.

Possibly. But a “bull shark”, that most casual people don’t usually know or think of, is a very specific description vs “shark fin” spotted. There were also multiple sightings.

Perhaps the bull sharks are gorging on the cow nosed rays as I imagine that is a diet staple for them?

[MDeSi]

Have seen sharks in the Navesink a handful of times over the last 6 years . Usually a bit further west . Not sure they where bulls but definitely sharks.

[BigRock44]

always wondered if they came up the hudson river where we sometimes boat/pull tubes and swim. cannot find any cases of a confirmed sighting in the river on the internet nor have i ever heard any talk of them being caught in the vicinity. i do know dolphins and seals are occasional visitors. come to think of it, i don't remember any recent bull shark catches anywhere in the area. maybe the charter captains would know better. :confused:

[Gobigblue]

Was crabbing on the north side of the Rumson Bridge today and saw 2 huge rays which could easily be mistaken for a Shark. Just sayin

[MDeSi]

Wasn’t gonna jump back in to this but ironically enough , saw a small one this afternoon netting bait . Maybe 4 Ft in about 5ft of water west of blossom cove . Doesn’t really matter but 100% not ray .

[John D.]

They are here will leave it at that.

[Deepdeckhand]

100% confirmation...Friend just sent me a pict of a @ 200 lb on the sand - sea bright lights in the background....Not my pict to share: but ide say anybody who wants to tangle with a toothy one should give river sharkin a try in the near future....I’ll probably try in a few nights- and I will post pict if I’m successful....

[BigRock44]

Looks like one was caught on a Long Island beach a few weeks ago...

"A 21-year-old college student captured a massive, near 400-pound shark off the coast of a Long Island beach earlier this month. Manhasset, New York, resident TJ Minutillo cast out a net of sea robin to attract the close to 8-foot long bull shark at Nickerson Beach, he told The Post Wednesday."

If they are traveling along the south shore of Long Island they most certainly are wandering into the rivers too. :eek:

[MudCat08]

Sandbar sharks sometimes go in NJ rivers, so that may be also what people spot besides the rays.
Although it is not impossible that the rare bull shark can also appear in NJ waters.
All these species migrate north in the summer, and NJ and NY happen to be in their path. Dusky, bull, blacktip, spinner, sandbar, and sand tigers are all possible.

[bulletbob]

The most common shark in the tidal estuaries in this part of the country are Brown Sharks[Sandbar],, In reality it could be any species at all, including Great Whites, Bull, etc but those exceptions are rare in the extreme... If someone saw a shark in the Navesink, it was most likely a Brown/Sandbar... Not dangerous.. bob

[shrimpman steve]

The most common shark in the tidal estuaries in this part of the country are Brown Sharks[Sandbar],, In reality it could be any species at all, including Great Whites, Bull, etc but those exceptions are rare in the extreme... If someone saw a shark in the Navesink, it was most likely a Brown/Sandbar... Not dangerous.. bob

Tell that to the kids who where attacked in the Matawan :eek:

[bulletbob]

Tell that to the kids who where attacked in the Matawan :eek:

sandbars are not dangerous. The attacks in Matawan Creek were originally thought to be a Bull Shark, but later on were attributed to a small Great White.. Those horrifying attacks are not the work of a brown/sandbar..

Any Shark can move into an estuary, but its uncommon for the big man eaters to do so... There are several reports that it is indeed a Bull Shark thats recently been observed in te Navasink... If I were a local, I'd do all my swimming, in a pool.. with lots of Chlorine... Miles from the river.... bob

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/red-bank/sections/police-and-fire/articles/suspected-bull-shark-sighting-in-navesink-river