Video: Hammerhead Shark Frees Fisherman's Catch

ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL — A day out on the water off Anna Maria Island Saturday didn’t turn out quite like a local fishing guide planned.

As the man was reeling in a what appeared to be a rather nice tarpon, a hammerhead shark cruising the area had a different plan in mind. The shark came up and promptly attempted to snag the fish. Its aim, fortunately for the fish, was a bit off the mark.

Moments after the attempted theft, the shark and tarpon swim away in opposite directions.

Dennis Machado of the Tampa Bay Guide Service posted video of that close encounter to his Facebook page. Those onboard the boat with Machado seemed in awe of what their eyes witnessed. One could only muster an “Oh, wow,” as the shark swam away. Another man, evidently undaunted, is heard saying, “Let’s get that tarpon man.”

As for Machado, he summed up the encounter like this: “Got hammered today!”

According to the Tampa Bay Guide Service website, Machado is a Tampa native who specializes in inshore fishing. The 1993 Jesuit High School graduate, moved onto the University of Florida to earn a business degree before returning back home. He worked in the mortgage industry for nine years before pursuing his passion to become a fishing guide.

See Also:

• 2 Weekend Shark Attacks Reported In Florida
• Watch: Group Swallows 4-Foot Shark Whole
• Nurse Shark Bit Woman, Wouldn’t Let Go
• Shark Attack Numbers Break Record In 2015
• Shark Attacks: What Are The Odds?

While the tarpon in Machado’s tale escaped the jaws of death, such aquatic encounters don’t always have happy endings. It’s not always a shark that does the snagging though. In 2014, a fisherman in Bonita Springs had a 4-foot shark on his line when a Goliath grouper swam up and swallowed it whole.

Sometimes, it's people that get snagged. Just this past weekend, two people in Florida were bitten in separate run-ins with sharks. Both suffered injuries, but are expected to recover.

Florida leads the nation and the world in the number of unprovoked shark attacks reported annually. Last year, there were 30 confirmed unprovoked attacks in the Sunshine State. North Carolina and South Carolina tied for second place in the country after Florida with eight confirmed attacks each.

While Florida’s 2015 attacks added up to 30, that number didn’t break the state’s record. The record high was 37, recorded in 2000. Brevard County once again led the state with eight attacks, followed closely by Volusia County with seven.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Flickr account