So a very large shark grabs a snack off the end of a fishing line, and an Internet sensation is born.

Pretty much everything about this week's “shark bait” video (which very quickly went viral and is shown below) is amazing: from the size of the shark to the exuberant, expletive-laced reaction of the people.  I watched it no less than 10 times yesterday.

In case you haven't seen it, the video shows a young woman named Sarah Brame reeling in a red drum fish outside of her vacation home near Cherry Grove when a 4- to 6-foot bull shark jumps up and snatches the fish. 

The video garnered national media attention with appearances on The Today Show and Good Morning America as well as press from websites such as Mashable and Gawker.

But despite the buzz about the shark, experts say, there is no reason to let the incident deter visitors from the area or keep beach lovers out of the ocean.

Yes, the Carolina coast is home to dozens of species of sharks. But as Tim Handsel, the director of husbandry (yes, awesome title!) from Ripley's Aquarium explains, a shark bite in this area is unlikely.

In fact, since 1837, there have been only 21 unprovoked shark bites reported in Horry County (which covers the Myrtle Beach area all the way down to Murrells Inlet).

“[A shark bite] is an uncommon event,” Handsel said. He cautioned swimmers to take a common-sense approach to ocean safety by following these tips:

• Don't swim near dusk or dawn, when sharks are more likely to be feeding.
• Don't swim near piers, where fish are likely to attract sharks.
• If you see a school of fish swimming by, get out of the water. They are likely to be followed by either a shark or other large fish that is looking for a meal.

And if you want an up-close look at sharks and other marine wildlife without becoming a YouTube sensation, check out Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach. They have plenty of species of sharks and fish to explore.

Shark bait: The One That Got Away video: 

Warning: Video contains some salty language! 

For a PG-rated version, check out this edited copy from The Today Show.