Bay Fishing 1063 Mako Shark

[Skylar]

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — A 1,063-pound mako shark hooked close to shore in the Gulf of Mexico is being investigated as a possible world fishing record.
The Sea Ya Later II was cobia fishing when its crew spotted the 12-foot 6-inch shark Wednesday afternoon between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. The Mother Lode, a 45-foot charter boat, helped bring in the shark.
They used flying gaffs to secure the fish and then tied the gaffs to the Sea Ya Later II, which was tilting.
"If (the shark) hadn't been as tired as she was, this boat would be sitting on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico," said Lindsey Stanley, the Sea Ya Later IIs captain, told the Northwest Florida Daily News.
After the shark died, it took eight men to pull it aboard the Mother Lode and take it to Destin.

The registered weight of 1,063 pounds makes the catch eligible for the world record in the 30-pound line class for a short-fin mako. The class record is a 997-pound, 11-ounce shark caught in Sydney, Australia, in 1995. The largest mako recorded in the all-tackle division was a 1,221 pounder caught in Massachusetts in 2001.
"I'm investigating it as a world record," said Jim Roberson, who represents the Panhandle for the International Game Fish Association.

[Sam]

That is one BIG Mako. Great find, Steve.

I wonder how close to shore?

[chomper]

1,063-pound shark may earn crew a place in the record book - Northwest Florida Daily News

300-400 yards.... within yaking distance ...

[Dave]

I think that would be an awesome fight if you have the right gear.

[igormothra]

did anyone read the posts at the bottom of that page??? one person made a very interesting point.... can it be a record fish if it was foul hooked? they already admitted it was.

[Steve]

Foul hooked? Don't think it can be considered on an IGFA ticket.
As far as a FL State record, hmmm, maybe?

That would be a heck of a ride hooked up in a yak.
The Mako would be trolling, using YOU as bait!

[Bull Red]

Nice fish! Sounds like the crew of the boat kinda tossed a cobia jig in the area and snagged this beast. If thats the case Can't be a record. IMO this catch is BS, the guy from the other boat said he didn't think the shark knew it was hooked until they hit her with the gaff? Really dosn't sound like a rod and reel fight to me, maybe I'm wrong????

Sad to say but as sportsmen we must be very careful with our actions to avoid giving amunition to the tree hugger hippies.