bilsant
Contributor
This is a 3 foot nurse shark we saw just north of Anglin's pier the other day at Lauderdale by the Sea. Obviously he's got this plastic ring (I think it might be a bucket top) stuck around him, which won't bode well for him health-wise. The fish hook trailing from his mouth won't help much either.
While we weren't really equipped for a rescue, I had the blunt end of a polespear through the ring while my buddy was looking for a grip, when Mr. Buckethead twisted free and took off in a big hurry . Valuing fingers and other parts, we didn't grab as he left. He was seen an hour later by snorkelers just south of the pier.
I'm NOT recommending you try anything as goofy as we are doing (please don't get bit and sue me...I'm poor), but we're better equipped now with ticklestick bent into a hook shape and a rope for tail looping, and hoping to encounter him again.
For those who wish to tell me that letting nature take it's course is the smart play here, I know. But nature didn't make the plastic ring and anyone who knows me can tell you that the smart play is the path I choose with distressing rarity.
If you come across Mr. Buckethead, please PM me where you ran into him and what kind of shape he's in.
Thank you