Now, let me tell ya b’y, if you’ve never been out on the open ocean, rod in hand, waiting for a shark to take the bait—well, you ain’t lived yet. This episode of Adventures Unknown took me on one of the wildest fishing trips I’ve ever had, right off the coast of Braggs Island, Newfoundland. It was a day full of heart-pounding action, breathtaking scenery, and a good ol’ taste of what it means to be a Newfoundlander out on the sea.
We started our day bright and early in Dover, a small outport community nestled on the northeast coast of the island. If you’ve ever been to Newfoundland, you know mornings like this—salt in the air, the sound of gulls screechin’ overhead, and the ocean just callin’ your name.
As we loaded up the boat, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Shark fishing ain’t like jiggin’ for cod, lemme tell ya. These creatures are strong, fast, and unpredictable. But that’s what makes it such a rush.
Once we got everything sorted, we pushed off from the wharf and set our sights on Braggs Island. Now, Braggs Island is an abandoned fishing settlement, left behind years ago when people were forced to move to bigger communities. But even though no one lives there anymore, you can still feel the spirit of the old fishin’ days in the air.
The boat ride over was something else. The coastline of Newfoundland is pure magic—steep cliffs, rocky shores, and little hidden coves that you’d swear no one’s ever stepped foot in. We even spotted a few whales spoutin’ off in the distance. That’s the thing about Newfoundland—you never know what the ocean’s gonna show ya.
Now, here’s where the real adventure begins. We got to our fishing spot, just off Braggs Island, and started settin’ up. Shark fishing takes patience, skill, and a good bit of nerve. We baited the hooks with big chunks of fish, lettin’ the scent do its work. Then, we waited.
Now, waitin’ ain’t always my strong suit, but when that reel started screamin’, you best believe I was ready. I grabbed the rod, and right away, I knew we had a beast on the other end of the line. The power of that fish—Lord jumpin’! It pulled hard, drag rippin’, and I had to brace myself just to hold on.
For the next few minutes, it was me versus the shark. Every time I gained a bit of line, it’d dive down again, fightin’ with everything it had. But I wasn’t givin’ up. The crew was right there, cheerin’ me on, and I knew I had to land this one.
Finally, after a battle that had my arms screamin’ and my heart racin’, we got ‘em to the surface. And let me tell ya, what a sight! A sleek, powerful creature, glistening in the sun, cuttin’ through the water like it owned the place. It was a moment of pure respect—these animals are built for the ocean, and you can’t help but admire ‘em.
We took a few moments to appreciate the catch, then did what any good fisherman should do—we let ‘em go. Watching that shark swim off into the deep was a reminder of why we do what we do. It ain’t just about the catch; it’s about respectin’ the ocean and everything in it.
Now, after all that excitement, I got to sit down with some local fishermen and talk about Newfoundland’s fishin’ history. Let me tell ya, the stories these fellas have—some of ‘em’ll make ya laugh, some of ‘em’ll make ya shake your head. But every one of ‘em reminds me why I love this place.
Fishin’ ain’t just a job here—it’s a way of life. Always has been. Whether it was cod, lobster, or, in our case, sharks, the ocean has always provided for the people of Newfoundland. And while the industry’s changed over the years, that connection to the sea? That’s somethin’ that’ll never be lost.
Now, if this episode got ya thinkin’ about takin’ a trip out this way, let me help ya out with some recommendations.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Adventures to Try
This episode of Adventures Unknown reminded me why I love what I do. Newfoundland is a place full of adventure, history, and some of the best people you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re out on the ocean battlin’ a shark or sittin’ around the wharf listenin’ to old fishin’ tales, there’s somethin’ here for everyone.
So, if ya ever get the chance, come on out and experience it for yourself. Just be ready—once the ocean gets in your blood, there’s no turnin’ back.
Watch the Episode Here:
Adventures Unknown (Episode 2)
