NewsNational News

Actions

Fishermen reel in big catch with 12-foot bull shark

Posted at 4:17 PM, Jul 09, 2012
and last updated 2012-07-09 16:19:40-04

TAMPA, Fl. (WTVR)—Some fishermen reeled in a big catch with a 12-foot-long bull shark caught at 3 a.m. on Monday, July 9.

John Radtke and his friends said they went out fishing over night near the mid-span of the Howard Frankland Bridge with the intention of catching a shark.

But, what they caught early this morning was way beyond their expectations. The bull shark weighed approximately 400 pounds and took almost four hours to reel in to the dock.

The men said they plan to cut the shark into small pieces for bait.

The bull shark is considered one of the most aggressive shark species, believed to be responsible for 69 unprovoked attacks worldwide according to the International Shark Attack File.

They are not a protected species, but according to WPTV, the state of Florida limits a catch a day per person or two per vessel.

It's been the summer of shark on the East and West Coast. Check out all related shark coverage:

Great white sharks coming closer to shore

Great White sharks spotted on East Coast

Shark bites ‘good chunk’ of child’s thigh

Teen bitten in another reported Myrtle Beach shark attack

Child needed 140 stitches after N.C. shark attack

4 swimmers bitten by shark in Myrtle Beach

Graphic: Shark attack at Myrtle Beach