Pensacola

[ChileRelleno]

Also, you need to make sure the fins remain intact/attached to the carcass until you get her home..I think?

That is mainly for sharks being 'Landed', i.e. brought in by boat.

Sharks are to be landed in whole condition, this includes landing sharks with heads and tails intact

Although the State of Florida considers this species 'endangered' it has not been listed under the ESA.  It is considered a SSC (Species of Special Concern) by NMFS.  Recently NMFS has opened up a response to a petition to list this species under the ESA...

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/04/26/2013-09943/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-90-day-finding-on-petitions-to-list-the-great-hammerhead-shark-as

This will trigger a new comprehensive stock assesment if the species.  The previous regional stock assesment was undertaken by NMFS (based largely on commercial catch data), in 2012..with the previous comprehensive assesment having taken place in 2002 (I believe?).  It is not likely that this species will get listed, but the new stock assesment may very well trigger the modification/addition of federal species-specific CMMs (Conservation and Management Measured), which would lead to increased regulations for both commercial and recreational take of the species. 

It will be interesting to see what the latest stock assessment looks like. 

Indeed it will be.

Beautiful animal...could have been 35-40 years old? 

The average great hammerhead measures up to 3.5 m (11.5 ft) long and weighs over 230 kg (500 lb).
The typical lifespan of this species is 20–30 years;[2] the record Boca Grande female was estimated to be 40–50 years old.[6]

So this 11' 5" mature male was more likely around 10 years or more.

[Shark Hunter]

Finally back Home. Even though I didn't catch a single shark, it was an enjoyable trip. Had plenty of runs, but no hookups. Here is our first night. Chris on the left, my boy Mike in the middle, Chris's friend on the right. His name escapes me? They are looking at a spider weight I got from Bob and saying, What the Hell is this?

John in all his Glory! Telling us stories of Yukon Jack.

Nathaniel and John trying to get us some fresh Cownose Rays.

My Uncle Sonny and Me doing some surf casting.


The Travel lodge in Pensacola is a real Dump! I suffered through it to be 5 minutes from our fishing spots.

Mike coming in.

Until next time.

[Alto Mare]

Daron, no shark, but I'm sure you still had a good time. Hey, I was working my butt off while you were on vacation   .
The ones you missed are only getting bigger ...glad you're back safe.

[harryk3616]

hey  daron,     time away with friends and family sounds like you caught a whopper,  i'm sure you all had a fantastic time being on vacation ,enjoying the sun, sea and sand, thank god for mother nature, great.

[Keta]

Looks like Chris and his friend are showing the early signs of Dunlop's disease.

[Chris Gatorfan]

No that not Dunlap disease, it is the re :Dsult of our love muscle workouts.

[broadway]

Good things come to those who wait, Daron!
Next time you should have mike kayak out hooked up to your rod.
He looks to be in good shape and should put up a good fight
...then again, I've seen your behemoth 12/0's
Glad you had a nice trip,
Dom

[Shark Hunter]

No that not Dunlap disease, it is the re :Dsult of our love muscle workouts.

Those Krispy Kremes wouldn't have a thing to do with that. You Notice there are no pictures of my Dunlop!

[Dominick]

Boy am I glad I do not suffer from that disease...  Dominick

[ChileRelleno]

Dang Daron,
you & Mike have anted up time & time again, y'all are past due winning a few pots.
Love the pics & follow up report.

I know it may seem lame to some, but my Hammer is y'alls Hammer too.
Landing that fish took teamwork, one person can not beach a fish like that alone.

Thank you again, for the invite to fish with ya, the camaraderie & putting that beast on the beach.
Whenever you wanna do it again, give us a holler.

[floating doc]

Daron, I'm glad it was a good trip. Thanks for posting.

[jonnou]

Dang Daron,
you & Mike have anted up time & time again, y'all are past due winning a few pots.
Love the pics & follow up report.

I know it may seem lame to some, but my Hammer is y'alls Hammer too.
Landing that fish took teamwork, one person can not beach a fish like that alone.

Thank you again, for the invite to fish with ya, the camaraderie & putting that beast on the beach.
Whenever you wanna do it again, give us a holler.

Well said Chille
Glad you had a good time Daron
At least you were out there doing it
By the way its not Dunlops disease
those are Gimble flanges

[Shark Hunter]

Dang Daron,
you & Mike have anted up time & time again, y'all are past due winning a few pots.
Love the pics & follow up report.

I know it may seem lame to some, but my Hammer is y'alls Hammer too.
Landing that fish took teamwork, one person can not beach a fish like that alone.

Thank you again, for the invite to fish with ya, the camaraderie & putting that beast on the beach.
Whenever you wanna do it again, give us a holler.

Yes, I will be showing those pictures off at work. Tuesday night, I had a good run on a Ray. He spit it. When we checked the bait, it had some huge teeth marks probably 1/2 inch apart half way down all the way across. That was a big one that got away!

[ChileRelleno]

Shall I start saving bait for the next trip?

[Shark Hunter]

My next trip is 9 months away.
Here is a shot when Mike first got the leader.