I had an interesting shit myself moment with a large bronzie or Tiger! in Broome on the weekend.
I was diving with a friend and his kids (first timers) loving it, 3-4m viz after the neap tides. Not bad for this area. Water was 35 degrease ! With a light cross shore breeze. depth 4M.
After warning them about sharks and hearing reports from locals I didn't pull the trigger on any fish for 2.5 hrs. saving it for a good fish.
In the haze I see a fish with characteristics of an emperor on the sand and pull the trigger.
Bugger not what I wanted. some other reef species. not worth shooting.! (EDIT since researching it was a large Siganus Nebulosis. Aka, 'Happy Moments' .Lucky I didn't get spiked with no gloves!)
Im about 70m from the shore the fish is struggling on the shaft. As I try to get the fish under control I look down and there is a huge 8ft barrel Bronzie. Not a reefy which are also common up here. I shit my self and start to swim faster to the shore.
In doing this my shaft comes down next to my leg with the fish still struggling.
Look up at the shore 20m, almost there. Then BUMP on my leg. I let out a cry like a little school girl. Turn to see whats going on and there is the bronzie munching on my shaft and fish. Few more girly screams and im back on land calmly getting the kids out of the water
No more diving today kids
most defiantly one of the scarcest moment I have had in the water ever.!
still got my legs!
oZ
EDIT: No positive ID on the shark species.