Fisherman describes battle with monster mako shark

NW Forida Daily News ^ | Patrick Rice

[jsh3180]

[jsh3180]

I’m posting this because I’m aghast at the killing of this fish for sport. 844 pounds whole, 638 pounds after being gutted. The picture obviously shows this was a huge female pregnant with many pups. This should be against fishing regulations.

[cricket]

This will raise debate no doubt. But was hoping - if only in the world of the redicuouls - that this would be a ‘catch and release’. . .and as much as I fear sharks. . .I respect them as well; and just do not like seeing this grand shark’s ending here.

[thefactor]

it’s called the food chain. we are at the top. this fish will be eaten. it won’t simply be tossed out. and it wasn’t caught with dynamite thrown in the water or a 30-06. the guy caught it with fishing line! it was a relatively fair fight and the human won. there are plenty of mako’s out there.

[jsh3180]

I will agree that most likely the fish will be eaten. Mako is as tasty as swordfish. I live in the Florida Keys, I fish for sport and food. My beef about this catch is the obvious death of perhaps 15 shark pups. We have seasons that are closed for snappers and groupers when they are spawning, I respect that ruling. A huge shark about to give birth should have been released, that’s my opinion.

[Slump Tester]

For crying out load - it's a SHARK. They're like Dorittos, they'll make more.

What were the guys who were fishing supposed to do, say "gee - this big guy is going to eat our bait and everything we catch, let's just all go home and forget about fishing today?

[Comus]

Long-line commercial fishermen, mostly Japanese, are responsible for destroying the shark populations, not recreational fishermen.

[sure_fine]

I wonder if people who can afford shark skin boots / belts and other garments made from shark skin ever realize where it comes from, and Mako is very good eating.

not to mention all the study scientist will probably get from it

[freekitty]

I have to agree on this one. A pregnant female should have been released.

[Leisler]

By and large the environmental movement began with hunters and fishermen. Both groups have both aesthetic and commercial reasons to preserve environment, decrease pollution and keep species availble for sport. Today’s Marxists totalitarian elite trust fund environmentalist find these groups too passe.

[KeepUSfree]

Where does it say it was a pregnant female anywhere in the article??

And, if it doesn't, how does one assume it is "obviously" a big female with many pups???

[ImpBill]

Not picking a dog in this fight at all, however as a life long fisherman, in virtually all fish species the females are the largest by huge margins. The gross weight compared to the net weight of this fish certainly suggests she was indeed a "she" carrying pups. I have personally caught a 70 pound Mako that was more than likely a pup only months from the womb.

And Mako is, in my opinion the best eating Shark of the many varieties out there.

[Roccus]

PING!!!

BTW, how’s the blackfishing this year?

[freeplancer]

Well said. This place used to be conservative

[freeplancer]

You know, they have some openings at PETA if you hurry. It is people like you and cricket that dilute the conservative gene pool.

[TheBattman]

Primarily for sport, but you don’t gut a fish for fun. I suspect this fish became shark steaks in someones (or several someones’) coolers for consumption.

Shark Steak is one of those delicacies I truly love, but don’t get very often.

I am curious - is this the right time of year to be so pregnant? And is it certain that this shark wasn’t just extremely full from eating all the fishermen’s bait and grouper catches?

[TheBattman]

8 oz. per person shark steak
3 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. honey
Dash of fresh lemon juice
Pepper to taste

Mix ingredients for sauce. Baste the shark steaks. Place over hot fire. Grill on one side 4 minutes. Turn and baste. Grill for about 4 minutes or until done. Turn only once for best results. Serve additional sauce on the side or at the table. Sauce serves only 2.

[Calpernia]

Haven’t gotten to the inlet yet. We have had too much going on since school has been back in session.

I’ve never seen a mako this big! Unreal!

Have you been blackfishing this season yet?

[mylife]

Oh please

[mylife]

Yummy!