A fisherman unexpectedly caught an almost four-meter shark (2 photos + 1 video)

Owen Prior took a photo and released his prey into the wild, because this species is protected in the state of Florida.





Experienced fisherman Owen Prior from Florida, USA, unexpectedly pulled a shark almost four meters long from the water. It happened last weekend while he was fishing at Jacksonville Beach.

“I’ve caught hundreds of sharks, even a 14-foot hammerhead, but this was my best tiger shark—it’s definitely one I’ll remember for a long time,” said Prior, owner of First Coast Surf Fishing in Orlando, about his personal record catch.

He said the shark bit the bait (a stingray) after a 12-hour wait around 4am. It took about 25 minutes to reel in the prey.



"I was sleeping when it happened. My friend started screaming, 'Owen!' I ran to the hook and immediately knew it was going to be a bigger fish. The rest is history," he said.

Since this species is protected in the state of Florida, the fisherman took a photo and released his prey into the wild.

“I was definitely lucky because it barely got hooked. Overall, it was a wonderful experience to feel the power of such a big shark, and even better, to safely remove the hook and watch it swim back into the ocean,” he said in an interview.

Prior added that he plans to fish for tarpon next.