Massive Hammerhead Shark Snatches Catch From Fisherman's Hands

A fisherman in the US was given the fright of a lifetime after a massive hammerhead shark snatched his catch from his hands.

Robert Gorta, who has been a fishing guide in Florida for 22 years, reeled in a huge tarpon back in June, which appeared to have bite marks on its side.

But as he held up the fish for photographs an even bigger fish - estimated to be around 14 feet long and weigh more than 1,300lbs - swooped from nowhere and plucked the tarpon from his hands.

Mr Gorta said he had experienced nothing like it in all his years on the water, and luckily for us, the dramatic encounter was all captured on a GoPro.

Reflecting on the fish theft, Mr Gorta told WFTS TV: "All of a sudden a monster hammerhead just took it right out of my hands. It was amazing, I couldn't believe it was happening.

"Just came right out of nowhere and ripped the fish out of my hands. We are all in awe, we didn't know what to do."

ABC

The video shows the fin of the hammerhead suddenly appear above the water and in a blink of an eye it pounces on the helpless tarpon. There is then understandably some commotion on board as Mr Gorta attempted to unhook the tarpon, pumping with adrenaline all the while.

Despite his efforts though, the hammerhead can be seen swooping upon the tarpon once again almost immediately after it was released.

Mr Gorta said he couldn't save the fish by bringing it on board because it is illegal to take tarpons of over 40 inches out of the water in Florida. Plus, he said it would be dangerous to have a fish of such size on the boat, particularly with a hungry hammerhead circling the vessel.

Mr Gorta said: "I really felt bad for the fish, you know, they are an amazing fish, and I make a good living off of them.

"They are a lot of fun, and I have the utmost respect for them. There's nothing I could really do to save that fish."

ABC

The dramatic encounter took place off Anna Maria Island near Bean Point, and while it didn't end all that well for the tarpon, Mr Gorta said he will remember the day for the rest of his life.

He said: "I still think about it, every day we talked about it. I show it and brag about it to everyone I know.

"I am very fortunate to make my living on the water and capture some amazing videos. When you are on the water every day, you see a lot of crazy stuff."

Topics: Sharks, US News, fishing, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey