Posted by doobie on September 15, 2002 at 11:15:37:
In Reply to: Re: New Mako State Record posted by Vic on September 14, 2002 at 14:38:17:
815 lb Shark Lands in West Coast Waters
REDONDO BEACH — An 815-pound mako said to be the largest shark landed in West Coast waters in the last two years was caught offshore today by a Redondo Beach man who hooked it while fishing alone initially.
John Miller fought the female shark for nearly six hours, stopping at one point to place a radio call to his friend Mike McNamee for help.
McNamee said he borrowed a skiff and motored out 25 miles or so to the spot where Miller and the fish were doing battle.
"We both held on for dear life" while attempting to secure the nearly 10- foot-long animal, McNamee said. They eventually tied the shark to the side of the boat and towed the fish back to the King Harbor Yacht Club in Redondo Beach.
Dr. Steve Strand, director of UCLA's Ocean Discovery Center in Santa Monica, said the mako Miller caught was "on the very large size."
Makos, he said, are seen relatively frequently in the open ocean in this area, and are second in number only to blue sharks.
The sharks usually stay in open waters and are not generally considered dangerous to people because they feed on fish such as mackerel and bonito.
"They don't look at people like a white shark does and think `Food,"' Strand said.
He added that the capture of the shark off Santa Monica Bay isn't an indication that they are increasing in number.
"It means there's one fewer," he said.