Small Shark in Severn River?

[Gumshoe218]

This past Sunday, I was kayaking on the Severn between Weems and College Creeks and saw what I thought was one fish swimming along the surface with two small black dorsal fins protruding approximately 4 inches out of the water. Could have been two fish swimming close together, but two distinct dorsal fins. Clearly, my first thought was a small shark. Anyone have any insight into what I saw? Thanks.

[supfisher01]

Cow Nose Ray's wings will look a lot like shark dorsal find when they surface.

[Gumshoe218]

I had considered Rays as a possibility, but the dorsals appeared to be in line with each other and stayed above surface longer than I would expect of a ray swimming along the surface.

[supfisher01]

Also, there are porpoises in the bay and mouths of rivers right now.

[Capt.Richie]

Big blue fish do that when at the surface. I would have never thought they did if I hadn't seen it this spring at Cape Henelopen. I'll look thru my pics and see if I can find one to post that is clear.

[Jimbo]

I saw the same thing recently in proximity to the bay bridge. Last year I heard reports of cobia being caught in the same area at the same time of year. So you may have seen a cobia.


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[azmdted]

Based on my recent experience in that area I vote for CNR too. Have you seen CNRs to know the difference? They can be quite exciting to see till you know what they are.

[bignose]

Black dorsal?
CNR wing tips.

[kevinfry]

Black dorsal?
CNR wing tips.

+1

[Mark]

CNRs are prevalent in many areas of the Bay now. I've seen them even in Weems Creek. From afar they do look like a scene from "Jaws."

However, Bull Sharks are known to feed on CNRs and also to venture far into tidal systems. They swim shallow and can tolerate brackish and fresh waters.

A Bull Shark in the Severn would not be inconceivable. But my guess is that Gumshoe saw a CNR.

[HJS]

I've seen the double wing tip thingy too. A closer investigation turned out to be a single CNR with the tips of it's wings being the only thing protruding a few inches above the water. Really weird looking until I found out what it was.

[ronaultmtd]

This past Sunday, I was kayaking on the Severn between Weems and College Creeks and saw what I thought was one fish swimming along the surface with two small black dorsal fins protruding approximately 4 inches out of the water. Could have been two fish swimming close together, but two distinct dorsal fins. Clearly, my first thought was a small shark. Anyone have any insight into what I saw? Thanks.

Classic CNR...see this all the time with the rays cruising the flats...100% CNR