Fishos capture close call with great white shark at Sheoak Flat on the Yorke Peninsula

A local fisherman was seconds away from diving into crystal clear ocean waters when he was stalked by a 4m great white shark. Watch the video.

An SA angler was seconds away from diving into the crystal clear Yorke Peninsula waters when a 4m great white shark cruised up to his boat.

Fishing buddies Paul Bastian, 67, and Clinton Wood, 57, were squidding off Sheoak Flat during Tuesday’s sweltering heatwave as they were being unknowingly stalked by the apex predator.

“It was so hot and the water was crystal clear,” Mr Bastian said.

“I spotted a long neck bottle on the surface and the water was only 2m deep.

Clinton Wood (left) and Paul Bastian (right) with their 4.6m boat. Picture: Supplied

“Clinton collects old bottles and does a bit of homebrewing, so I offered to dive in and get it.”

The pair agreed it was ideal swimming weather, but also perfect conditions for a shark to strike.

“It was very calm water, very clear and very hot — perfect shark weather,” Mr Bastian said.

It was this thought that gave him a moment to reconsider his dive to the bottom, when the shark closed in.

Paul Bastian out fishing. Picture: Supplied

“Clinton said ‘I’ve never seen a (great white) shark’ just as I saw this big dark shadow approaching,” he recalled.

“Well there’s one,” Mr Bastian responded.

“Before we had a chance to do anything, the shark was already swimming up to the boat,” Mr Wood said.

“I’ve been (in Port Julia) for 16 years and never seen a great white shark.

Clinton Wood and a couple of squid. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve always wanted to see one, so I was very excited.”

It was soon after that Mr Wood captured the footage of the shark.

The pair reckon the shark was 4m long, nearly as big as the 4.6m Quintrex they were fishing on.

A local shark watch organisation later confirmed it to be a great white.

“The shark definitely would’ve been bigger than more half of the boats that launched when we did,” Mr Wood said.

Look out for Shane Mensforth’s fishing column in this week’s Sunday Mail for more fishing news.

Originally published as Fishos capture close call with great white shark at Sheoak Flat on the Yorke Peninsula