I was casually wading off the coast of Malibu, Calif., casting my line and towing a stringer of sea perch behind me. Suddenly, a hard jerk from behind froze me in my tracks.
Despite the heavy pull, I managed to keep my footing. I turned around to see a lemon shark attacking my day’s catch.
Terrified but holding my own, I fumbled for my knife, even as more sharks moved in for a piece of the action.
I slashed the heavy nylon cord and made my way to shore as quickly as I could without drawing attention to myself.
From the safety of the beach, I watched in awe as the feeding frenzy roiled the now crimson water where I had fished just moments before.
We pay cash for all true adventures published. Only those used will be acknowledged. Send stories to Outdoor Life, This Happened To Me, 2 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016; or via e-mail to OLMagazine@aol.com. Watch This Happened to Me on the Outdoor Life Network. Check local listings for day and time. For more THTM, go to www.outdoorlife.com/adventure/thtm.