did a little shark fishing...

This is one of 3 that we caught on this trip. It was a combination diving / shark fishing trip. The wife caught this one and its steaks are in my freezer. 8 foot tiger shark. They get much bigger, but any bigger than this and the meat becomes less then desirable.

Picture could have been better but we didn't have anything high and strong enough to hang it from to show its true size.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...PICT0014-1.jpg

Wow, that's awesome!! I'd love to go shark fishing. My best shark was a 4 ft Dusky which are illegal where we were fishing, so I had to throw it back, but it was fun to catch! We were out on a charter fishing trip in the Tangier sound off of VA for Kingfish. I've also caught Dogfish in the surf off 3R's Rd in Bethany Beach, DE. Thanks for the pics, you've inspired me to get off my butt and hit the beach for some fishing!! Congrats on the beautiful catch!!

wow shark fishing is.... a huge step up from just fishing .. nice

wow, nice catch!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CeLLLLL

wow shark fishing is.... a huge step up from just fishing .. nice

---

Yep Try to get 6 ft Black Tip .... Even 3.5 ft Atlantic Sharpnose..if You are on the Pier and You don't have net.. LOL That's long walk to the beach believe me ;)

Mike that's nice catch :gj::gj::gj: ... I'm going to Florida in August hopefully do some snorkeling and fishing as well :D

wow how awesome!!! I bet that was a great time!!

I used to catch little sharks all the time (dogfish) when I went fishing in MA. The guys on the sip would pull out the hook, snap their backs, then throw them overboard to feed the other sharks. Never got to keep them, but they were a quarter that guy's size.

Are you worried about mercury at all? Since sharks are higher organisms in the food chain they end up collecting a lot of it in them. Planning on eating the fins? Going to keep the jaw?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oxylepy

Are you worried about mercury at all? Since sharks are higher organisms in the food chain they end up collecting a lot of it in them. Planning on eating the fins? Going to keep the jaw?

---

Not worried about the mercury. the jaws are sitting on an ant pile getting clean. the fins are in the freezer. I have an old neighbor that uses them for soup, and in return makes us GOOD traditional Philippine food!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

Yep Try to get 6 ft Black Tip .... Even 3.5 ft Atlantic Sharpnose..if You are on the Pier and You don't have net.. LOL That's long walk to the beach believe me ;)

---

Yep, your not kidding. Try getting an 8 foot tiger shark in the boat!!!! I shot it right in between the eyes with a 9mm Glock at point blank range with its head out of the water. It bled out for about 15 minutes, then it was out of blood. BUT still totally alive and pissed off. It was at this point that it slapped my forearm with its tail leaving a nasty bruise.... It took stabbing it many times in the head (and ruining my cheap fillet knife), and cutting its throat (as you can see in the picture) to finally overcome it.

Hey, as long as it's sustainable to harvest that species.

I believe the tiger shark is commercially fished, and little is known about its population, but it's generally considered to be doing well.

On the other hand, I think you are brave for eating a top predator with a reputation for being less than discriminatory about what it consumes.
Sort of like eating a coyote, except with more mercury.

Shark fishing does sound like an adventure, though.

it bothers me that the background of that picture looks like a few ponds/lakes around here LOL no more swimmin for me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Try getting an 8 foot tiger shark in the boat!!!! I shot it right in between the eyes with a 9mm Glock at point blank range with its head out of the water. It bled out for about 15 minutes, then it was out of blood. BUT still totally alive and pissed off. It was at this point that it slapped my forearm with its tail leaving a nasty bruise.... It took stabbing it many times in the head (and ruining my cheap fillet knife), and cutting its throat (as you can see in the picture) to finally overcome it.

---

WOW! sounds like you had a great time...LOL. i could only wish i was there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Yep, your not kidding. Try getting an 8 foot tiger shark in the boat!!!! I shot it right in between the eyes with a 9mm Glock at point blank range with its head out of the water. It bled out for about 15 minutes, then it was out of blood. BUT still totally alive and pissed off. It was at this point that it slapped my forearm with its tail leaving a nasty bruise.... It took stabbing it many times in the head (and ruining my cheap fillet knife), and cutting its throat (as you can see in the picture) to finally overcome it.

---

Dang Mikey you went totally postal buddy lol

Don't worry, you don't have to worry about tiger sharks in a pond or lake. Just bull sharks, and only if it connects to a river system. Mwa hahah

lol, yeah, that is the creek behind my house that leads to the river... the river leads to the ocean. It is a 45 minute boat ride from beach to my neighborhood. the shark was caught 12 miles offshore.

Tiger sharks, now those suckers get pretty big. Congrats on the catch, and the meals from it!

Awesome! I wouldn't worry about the mercury either. People freak out about al ot of stuff like that. Unless you're running around eating shark every day of the year, I don't think there's anything to worry over, and frankly, I'd eat it every day myself. I see too many alarmist reports about stuff being dangerous.

I'm IN Florida and I haven't gone deep sea fishing in forever. I must rememdy that.

Yeah, don't worry, it's only a little mercury, it won't hurt ya... O.o

Hat makers used to play with that stuff all the time, and they were just fiiiine.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

Yeah, don't worry, it's only a little mercury, it won't hurt ya... O.o

Hat makers used to play with that stuff all the time, and they were just fiiiine.....

---

I hope You like Your tuna fish salad :rofl::rofl::rofl: Same amount and i know people who eat this crap everyday (tuna salad tuna sushi tuna steaks) and nobody cares...

I personally like shark meat If I have occasion I'll go to my fish market and take coupe of steaks once a month... Shark teriaki ?? Yumi Yumi Yumi :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

lol, yeah, that is the creek behind my house that leads to the river... the river leads to the ocean. It is a 45 minute boat ride from beach to my neighborhood. the shark was caught 12 miles offshore.

---

hah I was just kidding, im from boston, but currently live in fort wayne indiana.... it does look like you were going bass fishing from the background though hahah.

Gawd I would LOOOOVE to have some tiger shark teeth! I bet those suckers are keeewl lookin! ..I hear they're all serrated like little mini-saws....

Roger That!

Nice catch, that's intense.

That is one amazing animal. What part of florida was this one caught at? I cant make it this summer but I am longing to free dive with this species. If I could make it next summer could you show me where I could find some?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

I hope You like Your tuna fish salad :rofl::rofl::rofl: Same amount and i know people who eat this crap everyday (tuna salad tuna sushi tuna steaks) and nobody cares...

---

Nah, I rarely eat tuna. These days I actually eat more freshwater fish that I have caught myself than I do any other type. I pay attention to mercury levels in local waterways, too. When I buy fish, it's often tilapia. I do try to avoid things that can permanently lower your IQ. Just a personal choice of mine. I think few people realize how hazardous much of our food supply has really become.

Some folks deal with it by choosing to ignore it, and continue to eat whatever they like. I can understand that, but consuming brain-eating poisons gives me the willies.

I've had shark before, but that was like 24 years ago.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Yep, your not kidding. Try getting an 8 foot tiger shark in the boat!!!! I shot it right in between the eyes with a 9mm Glock at point blank range with its head out of the water. It bled out for about 15 minutes, then it was out of blood. BUT still totally alive and pissed off. It was at this point that it slapped my forearm with its tail leaving a nasty bruise.... It took stabbing it many times in the head (and ruining my cheap fillet knife), and cutting its throat (as you can see in the picture) to finally overcome it.

---

Oh man....the animal lover in me just died inside at the thought of this. :(

No disrespect, sir.

wow! the only shark i caught was a dog shark :tears:. your t shirt fits the pic to a TEE... roger that :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soterios

Oh man....the animal lover in me just died inside at the thought of this. :(

No disrespect, sir.

---

He just missed, with the bullet, that's all. The shark's brain isn't very large, and it's probably further back from where he was aiming.

All fish have both emotions and the capacity for pain--they're really some of the most horribly treated vertebrates on the planet. What people find socially acceptable isn't always logical. It's also not necessarily that easy to dispatch a shark. Cold-blooded animals can take a long time to die.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soterios

Oh man....the animal lover in me just died inside at the thought of this. :(

No disrespect, sir.

---

I completely agree, am I the only one thinking this is wrong? Have you ever seen the movie the cove? It's about dolphins but I don't think there's that much ethical difference between killing both species for Fu . I mean hundreds of thousands I'd not more sharks are hunted each year "for fun" and it's messed up. They are not being farmed and they do have very high levels of
mercury.

Fun***

Watch sharkwater. Its basically the cove ....but replaced with sharks instead of dolphins. Really makes you think.

Difference between a shark and a tuna or a tilapia? Well, sharks don't reproduce as quickly. Still, the tiger shark population seems to be ok. Most fish are placed into a creel or thrown on ice to suffocate slowly to death. I would say this shark died relatively quickly in comparison with the norm for fish. Most would consider it impractical to kill every fish netted in commercial fishing operations...I mean, how long would that actually take? They would suffocate before you managed to kill them all.
As for mercury, people are welcome to take their own risks.

BG had to find this thread. This is another prime example of how we(reptile keepers) can be hypocrites. How would everyone feel if this was a snake that Mikey shot in the head a few times. How do you think the people that love sharks(BG) feel when they see this?

BG doesn't know you Mike, but he doesn't approve of you killing such an awesome creature. Especially since shark populations are way down all over the world. It's legal for you to do it, but don't expect Big Gunns to give you any props for putting some bait on a hook and waiting for a dumb shark to eat it then blowing it's head off. Wouldn't you have felt better to watch that awesome animal swim away? BG would have.:(

To anyone that's gonna ask BG if he eats meat. Of course he does, but he doesn't eat shark or any other creature that may be or become endangered.

^^^LOL^^^

Are you this "BG" guys secretary?..LOL...Why do you do that?..Is that what your "known" to do here? LOL...Referr to yourself in pretty much Every post..

Whatever "floats your boat"..lol.


To the OP, good stuff. Looks like it was a fun fight with that shark, the hardest thing I fought was a 6 1/2 foot Tarpon, and he was pretty much tired when I got the reel..I had to pull that sucker about 100 yards to the shore from the bridge I was on..lol...My cousin caught a little black tip, we ate it and kept the jaws, ant piles are grea for doing the hard work..lol..

Enjoy the shark steaks...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wildman09

^^^LOL^^^

Are you this "BG" guys secretary?..LOL...Why do you do that?..Is that what your "known" to do here? LOL...Referr to yourself in pretty much Every post..

Whatever "floats your boat"..lol.


To the OP, good stuff. Looks like it was a fun fight with that shark, the hardest thing I fought was a 6 1/2 foot Tarpon, and he was pretty much tired when I got the reel..I had to pull that sucker about 100 yards to the shore from the bridge I was on..lol...My cousin caught a little black tip, we ate it and kept the jaws, ant piles are grea for doing the hard work..lol..

Enjoy the shark steaks...

---

New meat for Big Gunns.:banana::banana::banana::D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

New meat for Big Gunns.:banana::banana::banana::D

---

LOL Get em BG!:rofl:

I thought BG was a shark? :D

And to think big guns... I was going to have you over for a giant shark steak... with some fin soup for an appetizer! I was even going to take a picture of you putting your head through its jaws in my bar!

I LOVE it when land dwellers try to explain how ocean creatures are low in numbers and must be conserved. Humans LOVE to think they have such an understanding and control over such things....

A perfect example of this is the current ban on Red Snapper. Some unscientific survey was done that resulted in the "experts" determining Red Snapper are in danger... They claim it is because their numbers are way lower then they were even 10 years ago. Of course, this is total and complete BS!!!! ANYONE who knows the fishing well, and has been doing it for a long time knows this is complete and total crap. Talk to any local fishing captain... any local diver. Snapper fishing before the ban was LITERALLY better then ever. I have been fishing snapper for over 20 years, as well as diving every single wreck I fish, so feel free to ask me about it.

As far as your referencing shooting a snake... Not sure how I qualify as a hypocrite. I would have ABSOLUTELY no problem with someone hunting snakes for sport, as long as the meat was harvested.

Big Gunns doesn't know squat about what he is talking about. He is welcome to go with me on my next dive to see how low the numbers really are.

Gotta say, as a fisherman myself, it's a nice catch. However, I personally would not be happy killing a shark and would insist on tag and release.

I agree with BG to a certain extent, and maybe we don't know what the numbers are like, but not knowing isn't a reason to ignore the danger signs and exploit away. The seas are pretty messed up as it is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

And to think big guns... I was going to have you over for a giant shark steak... with some fin soup for an appetizer! I was even going to take a picture of you putting your head through its jaws in my bar!

I LOVE it when land dwellers try to explain how ocean creatures are low in numbers and must be conserved. Humans LOVE to think they have such an understanding and control over such things....

A perfect example of this is the current ban on Red Snapper. Some unscientific survey was done that resulted in the "experts" determining Red Snapper are in danger... They claim it is because their numbers are way lower then they were even 10 years ago. Of course, this is total and complete BS!!!! ANYONE who knows the fishing well, and has been doing it for a long time knows this is complete and total crap. Talk to any local fishing captain... any local diver. Snapper fishing before the ban was LITERALLY better then ever. I have been fishing snapper for over 20 years, as well as diving every single wreck I fish, so feel free to ask me about it.

As far as your referencing shooting a snake... Not sure how I qualify as a hypocrite. I would have ABSOLUTELY no problem with someone hunting snakes for sport, as long as the meat was harvested.

Big Gunns doesn't know squat about what he is talking about. He is welcome to go with me on my next dive to see how low the numbers really are.

---

Can I have some steak in his absence? I love me some seafood! I moved away from Baltimore a long time ago and I STILL miss the food. Arizona has no fish. :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

And to think big guns... I was going to have you over for a giant shark steak... with some fin soup for an appetizer! I was even going to take a picture of you putting your head through its jaws in my bar!

I LOVE it when land dwellers try to explain how ocean creatures are low in numbers and must be conserved. Humans LOVE to think they have such an understanding and control over such things....

A perfect example of this is the current ban on Red Snapper. Some unscientific survey was done that resulted in the "experts" determining Red Snapper are in danger... They claim it is because their numbers are way lower then they were even 10 years ago. Of course, this is total and complete BS!!!! ANYONE who knows the fishing well, and has been doing it for a long time knows this is complete and total crap. Talk to any local fishing captain... any local diver. Snapper fishing before the ban was LITERALLY better then ever. I have been fishing snapper for over 20 years, as well as diving every single wreck I fish, so feel free to ask me about it.

As far as your referencing shooting a snake... Not sure how I qualify as a hypocrite. I would have ABSOLUTELY no problem with someone hunting snakes for sport, as long as the meat was harvested.

Big Gunns doesn't know squat about what he is talking about. He is welcome to go with me on my next dive to see how low the numbers really are.

---

So you're out there counting sharks all around the world on your dives huh Mikey? Well maybe you can tell BG just how many sharks there are since you seem to be the resident expert.:P

Somehow it doesn't surprise BG that you wouldn't have any problem people hunting snakes. BG wouldn't be surprised if you're out there hunting puppies and kittens also.:P

Hey Mikey....BG thinks maybe you should be contacted by all the scientist around the world about Shark and Red Snapper numbers. Maybe you can straighten them all out on this. BG was under the impression by these obvious fools that Sharks numbers were declining all over the world. You have convinced him that he was wrong. You seem to be an expert on this. BG apologizes for coming down on you for going all Dirty Harry on the poor Shark.:rolleyes::D

PS. OH yeah. BG is sure you're right about those "fishing captains". Why would they have any reason to lie about Red Snapper numbers? BG is 100% sure they would be truthful about the true numbers.

BG is getting soft as he ages Mikey(not the abs and Gunns don't worry fans). He thinks he's gonna introduce you to his good buddy Ian G though. Something tells BG you guys would be good buddies. He'll shoot anything that moves. BG not so fondly remembers getting woken up(BG stayed over in his private section of the Ian G Castle) when Ian decided to blast some Wood ducks and Canada Geese that had landed on his pond at the crack of dawn.:taz::taz:BG is telling you this to basically say he may not approve of what you do, but it doesn't mean he's gonna hate you. Ian is a good buddy of Big Gunns, but BG hates what he does.:rage::rage:

Senseless killing just doesn't agree with BG anymore. Now BG knows you got some shark steak, but how much of it really? BG knows he's not gonna convince you of anything. Some people just like to kill....and BG can tell that's you. To each his own. BG would much rather catch an awesome animal like that Tiger Shark and then watch it swim away free to grow big and old.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

So you're out there counting sharks all around the world on your dives huh Mikey? Well maybe you can tell BG just how many sharks there are since you seem to be the resident expert.:P

---

Big gun needs to find himself something to do to stay a little more busy in life. Too much time watching TLC and Discovery channel can rot the brain. Give up your PETA membership and come fishing / diving with me... Proof is in the pudding. :colbert:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

Somehow it doesn't surprise BG that you wouldn't have any problem people hunting snakes. BG wouldn't be surprised if you're out there hunting puppies and kittens also.:P

---

Big Gunns loves to talk trash on the internet... Typing about animal rights with one hand, eating a big fat cheeseburger in the other. Big guns considers himself a better person for eating farm raised cows that are knocked in the the head by someone else. These are animals that have been food since day one. They have never been wild or free to experience life as they should. But he is good as long as he is not the one who killed the animal.. :rolleye2:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

Hey Mikey....BG thinks maybe you should be contacted by all the scientist around the world about Shark and Red Snapper numbers. Maybe you can straighten them all out on this. BG was under the impression by these obvious fools that Sharks numbers were declining all over the world. You have convinced him that he was wrong. You seem to be an expert on this. BG apologizes for coming down on you for going all Dirty Harry on the poor Shark.

---

At least Big Gunns is able admit when he was wrong....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

PS. OH yeah. BG is sure you're right about those "fishing captains". Why would they have any reason to lie about Red Snapper numbers? BG is 100% sure they would be truthful about the true numbers.

---

blah blah blah. Big gunns will like this pic...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a/mesnap-1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Big Gunns

Senseless killing just doesn't agree with BG anymore. Now BG knows you got some shark steak, but how much of it really? BG knows he's not gonna convince you of anything. Some people just like to kill....and BG can tell that's you. To each his own. BG would much rather catch an awesome animal like that Tiger Shark and then watch it swim away free to grow big and old.

---

Big Gunns should for his own benefit define the term "senseless killing"

As far as how much shark steak? The ENTIRE shark minus the head and guts is used for food. The head and guts don't exactly go to waste either... The blue crabs that live under the dock were very thankfull.

My son had to fight this one for about 30 minutes...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/mcavana/16.jpg

Bigg Gunns is definately back!!!! :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Ever seen a Bonnet Head? This one was 1 pound away from breaking the Florida weight record.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/mcavana/19.jpg

This monster took over an hour to get in
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/mcavana/18.jpg

Don't worry BG... this one went back... we were looking for whiting not sharks this day.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...886725_290.jpg

Ugh...Another Floridian who thinks he knows more than scientists. I know for a fact you don't eat the entire shark, but that's beside the point. I like how it took you, shooting it in the head, stabbing it, AND cutting it's throat. You are a big man there!

Real fisherman know exactly how to handle sharks, and don't have to let it "bleed out and die" for 30 mins.

Numbers are infact down around the entire world, and I for one don't approve of you killing Tiger sharks, let alone any other shark. Good to see you teaching your kids ignorance too.

I hope this post is still around in 10 years when fishing is at it's lowest it's been ever. ;)

I like how you think posting all of these pictures is helping your point or something. Why exactly are you hunting a predator that is not used to this sort of hunting, and thus does not reproduce as quickly as other "prey" items? Or you can go on thinking this is sustainable, sure.

Nice shark Mike...Bet BG would really enjoy some of my bowfishing pictures lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ericzerka24

Nice shark Mike...Bet BG would really enjoy some of my bowfishing pictures lol

---

If you have a permit, and you are out bowfishing for your allocated amount, I have no, I repeat NO problems with that. If you're just out on your boat, purposely fishing a shark such as a tiger shark, and you can't kill it right the first time you try with a gun, then you shouldn't be doing it. Plain and simple.

There is nothing wrong with being legal and within reason with activities such as bowfishing.

Now, if you're doing it without a permit then that's another story.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Hedgehog

Ugh...Another Floridian who thinks he knows more than scientists.

---

Are these the same scientists who go on and on about global warming? The scientific community seems to be largely driven by $$$ or politics nowadays...but what do I know...I'm just another ignorant Floridian...

Nice pics Mike. You guys must have some serious fish fries! :gj: