It is a “They” creature.
That’s exactly what it looks like when a large fish is startled in shallow water. Just because the guy is in a kayak, it doesn’t mean the water is any more than knee deep.
Carp at the Pymatuning Spillway in Linesville, PA.
Has a bit of a painterly modern art vibe to it, don’t it?
Really, really big carp.
Looks like a really, really big catfish to me.
Hah! It sure does.
ETA: I’ve been there a few times. People toss bread for the fish. Ducks actually walk across the constantly moving fish to eat bread.
Heh! Catfish.
Love me some catfish.
Unless they’ve been eating people.
They do bark first. You have even chances.