Video: Surfer Rides Great White Shark

Doug Niblack just wanted to catch one last wave off the Oregon coast last week off a spot called "The Cove" when the improbable occurred. Niblack's long board hit something that caused him to stumble. He then found him on the back of a great white shark.

"It was pretty terrifying just seeing the shape emerge out of nothing and just being under me. And the fin coming out of the water. It was just like the movies," Niblack told the Associated Press.

Jake Marks, who was off-duty from the United States Coast Guard, says he didn't see the shark, but he did see Niblack suddenly stand-up with the water churning all around him.

Since there was no video or photos, there were many who were skeptical that the so called shark ride even took place.

Thanks to News Direct, an animation services company, there is a YouTube mock up version of what Niblack said happened when he hitched a ride on the back of a great white shark. If Niblack's account is true, it most certainly was an E-ticket ride that he will never forget.   

Rockfish abound along Southern California coast

There's good rockfishing just about everywhere now, which helps fill the void left by the lack of surface fish action. There has been nice fishing for a variety of the more than 60 different species of California rockfish that inhabit our waters from San Diego to the Channel Islands.

In most cases, you will be fishing in about 300 feet of water, so you'll need a 10-ounce torpedo sinker along with a two-hook rig. Make sure you watch others that are catching fish or ask a crew member for the hot bait. In most cases, a lively sardine or anchovy will be just right. Strips of mackerel are also effective, and don’t forget how much big lingcod like to munch on a freshly caught sand dab.

Anglers wait for Central California albacore

Albacore, the prized longfin tuna, pulled a no-show on Southern California anglers this year, so anglers are keeping a close eye on the white-meat tuna off Big Sur and surrounding areas. Clark Franke from Santa Barbara was on the Pacific Queen with 16 anglers on Friday when they caught only seven albacore weighing up to 40 pounds.

“The crew was great and there were people from Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles on board,” said Clarke. Despite lots of hard work and looking, fishing was slow.

Whales put on a show

Fantastic whale watching has been the rule this week off Newport Beach, Dana Point, Long Beach as well as Palos Verdes, and Hermosa Beach. Copious amounts of food off Long Beach have attracted lots of different whales, all coming in for the krill.

Blue, fin, humpback and minke whales have been seen for much of this week surface feeding on the tiny shrimp-like creatures about six miles from the Long Beach breakwall.

Quick bites

• The Toronado out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach had very good rockfishing on Saturday at San Nicolas Island, catching lots of reds and salmon grouper with some lingcod too. The weather was flat, calm and beautiful.

• The offshore bite in San Diego has become less consistent with some boats still catching five-fish Mexican limits of yellowtail but others not faring so well. The 3- to 10-pound yellowtail are being found on floating kelp paddies about 140 miles from Point Loma. There have been a few tuna and dorado in the mix, too.

• A 79-pound white seabass was taken by Justin Barry on Friday near Santa Cruz and weighed in at Bayside Marine on Wednesday. If the submission to the IGFA is approved, it would be a new state record by about one pound.

• Catalina and San Clemente islands have been good for rockfish, perch and a few calico bass. There have been a few yellowtail caught near the west end of San Clemente Island, but not enough to fulfill many anglers' dreams.