Let's go swimming at Ft. Meyers beach in Florida

[Narrock]

Fla. angler lands what may be record shark Fri May 26, 1:27 AM ET

BOCA GRANDE, Fla. - Fishing Capt. Bucky Dennis has been trying to catch a record hammerhead shark for 10 years. He may have finally succeeded.

On Tuesday, he reeled in a monstrous 1,280-pounder that ate a 25-pound stingray for bait at Boca Grande Pass near Fort Myers. That would beat by nearly 300 pounds the current all-tackle world record for a hammerhead shark.

Dennis, who was using 130-pound test line, and three friends fought the 14 1/2 foot shark for five hours and it dragged his boat about 12 miles offshore before they got it aboard.

"It's fun hooking them, but if you get too close, they will bite," Dennis said. "And whatever they bite, they will bite off."

The current all-tackle world record hammerhead is 991 pounds, caught May 30, 1982, by Allen Ogle of Punta Gorda, according to the International Game Fish Association. The organization is reviewing the latest catch to determine if it qualifies as the new record, a process that will take about 60 days.

The Port Charlotte fishing captain donated the big fish to the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, which plans to have it mounted and displayed. Center director Robert Hueter said researchers prefer that people tag and release large sharks because they help sustain the species.

"But we are grateful that this animal has been donated to science. It will help us understand more about these animals," Hueter said.

The largest shark ever hooked was a 2,664-pound great white caught off the southern coast of Australia in 1959.

[brinstar]

Punta Gorda

doesn't that mean Fat Whore?

[Harrison]

Puta is bitch if I remember correctly, not punta.

[Phlegm]

punto means point. So punta i think is the feminine version of point. Punta Gorda is Fat Point or Point Fat.

[leah]

what he said... puto! hehe

[mojo]

Port Charlotte
Brings back terrible memories. I hated that shit hole town. Punta Gorda was no better. Redneck city gallore.
I couldnt get out quick enough!

[Captain Insano]

shark is delicious

[Martrae]

Yes, it is. Kahar grilled up shark steaks once and told our roomie Rob there was one in the fridge for him. Said roomie asked me about 2 weeks later if I thought it was still good and I was like I dunno. But I whispered to roomie Dave that I[ certainly wouldn't eat it. Dave agreed.

Rob ate it anyway and spent the next 4 days puking in my flowerbed (seems like someone was always in the bathroom and he wasn't bright enough to grab a bowl)...which made me an unhappy camper.

True story.

[Narrock]

Port Charlotte
Brings back terrible memories. I hated that shit hole town. Punta Gorda was no better. Redneck city gallore.
I couldnt get out quick enough!

Tell us about some of your memories from Port Charlotte...