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Shark Caught Just Yards Offshore Save Email Print
Posted: 6:13 PM Oct 29, 2008
Last Updated: 7:47 PM Oct 29, 2008
Reporter: Josh Gauntt
Email Address: joshua.gauntt@wjhg.com


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A couple of local fishermen snagged a pretty big catch last night, an 11ft 2in Mako shark to be exact.

Monday night, R.D. Foote and Rich Stulen of Panama City beach caught this five hundred twenty-five pound Mako shark about one hundred yards offshore. Foote owns and operates R.D.'s Sharkin Safaries and says this is his thirty-second shark, 6ft or longer he's caught in the past year.

Foote said he noticed three dark shadows in the water while he and his buddy were fishing. He said two of them swam off but the third one didn't. And that's when he felt a big tug on his rod.

"And this little shadow came up on my bait and swam around it. I turned around and wasn't thinking of it and next thing I know my reel is bent over and my rod is bent over and my reel is sounding like a chain saw gone crazy. We see this thing come out of the water," R.D. Foote, of R.D.'s Sharkin' Safaris said.

Last year, a fisherman caught a 12ft Mako shark in Destin that weighed a little more than one thousand pounds.

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Posted by: Quint Location: Amity on Oct 31, 2008 at 02:21 PM
JT, Who is a pathetic killer? The shark of course. Just consider little Alex Kinter before you spout off on fisherman. When sharks kill humans, they usually spit them out. At least this fellow, like most fishermen, is EATING this shark. This is an example of excellent wildlife conservation.

Posted by: RD Foote Location: Panama City Beach Florida on Oct 31, 2008 at 11:30 AM
To correct some misconceptions, first I AM a killer & a AVID conservationist!!!! I NEVER EVER needlessly cull any animal or fish! I have only kept 6 of the 32 sharks. the rest were live released. I also ACTIVELY work with Game and Fish to report ALL violations of the law! I do NOT TOLERATE any illegal activities when it comes to wildlife or marinelife. Secondly the Total weight of the Mako was 720 pounds. She was the Smallest of the 3 that came in!!!!!

Posted by: jt Location: deerfield on Oct 30, 2008 at 08:39 PM
sickening pathetic people.....laws gotta put an end to these pathetic killers.

Posted by: Dustin Location: Panama City Beach on Oct 30, 2008 at 09:02 AM
While I'm sure many will appreciate Mr. Foote's efforts to rid our beaches of these dangerous creatures, they should take note that systematically removing a species from its ecosystem will have unpleasant side effects.(i.e. "says this is his thirty-second shark, 6ft or longer he's caught in the past year"). For starters, the jellyfish populations will rise to fill the void left in the absence of an apex predator. But I'm sure we are safter without these dangerous creatures, and I bet that crazy fish put up one heck of a fight! Woohoo! How does Mako taste?

Posted by: Lauren Location: USA on Oct 30, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Good to see another one of these man eaters have been removed from a swimming area.

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