Fishermen Have Tug Of War Battle With Giant Hammerhead Shark

A group of fishermen got more than they bargained for after trying to reel in a fish, only to end up in a tug of war with a hammerhead shark over the catch.

Jose Andres Delgado Campos set off from the Coasta Rica's Caribbean coast earlier this month with some other fishermen and were delighted when a large tarpon took the bait from one of their lines.

Although they were intending to catch and release the fish, the fishermen's plan was thwarted when a huge, 'very aggressive' hammerhead spotted the hooked fish and decided it would take it.

Footage shows the shark's dorsal fin circling their boat before biting at the tarpon, before eventually revealing its full, scary size.

But the fishermen are not keen on giving up their catch without a fight and one of the group even plunges his hands into the water in an attempt to save the fish from the shark. Rather you than me, mate.

Unable to free the fish, the shark starts to thrash around the boat, sending it rocking.

The hammerhead eventually wins the battle and enjoys his tarpon dinner before swimming off into the deeper waters and leaving the fishermen empty handed.

Jose said: "This was a giant and very aggressive hammerhead but we wanted to try and save the tarpon.

"They are no good for eating for humans but still we wanted to set it free from the shark. We tried to get the hook out of its mouth but to no avail."

Will Briegel of Federacion Costicarrense de Pesca (FECOP) said encounters like this happen every once in a while, but that sharks usually target marlin or sailfish, not tarpon.

He said: "This was a very precarious situation for Jose and his passengers. If it had have been me in this situation, I would not have stuck around as long.

"Encounters like this normally happen miles off-shore. It was a surprise to see that this had happened in an inlet of the river.

"Despite Costa Rica's coast being famous for big tarpon, these types of interaction with sharks are extremely rare and I have never seen one caught on camera like this."

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: Sharks, World News, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19