Near-Record Haul: 820-Pound Shark Caught off New Jersey Coast

The crew of the Missfit had to contact the U.S. Coast Guard to let their families know they were OK, but they would be later than expected Saturday night.

Much later.

The five-man crew of the 31-foot Cape May County-based boat was busy reeling in the second biggest shark ever caught in the state inside the Canyons off the coast of Cape May following a day of yellowfin tuna fishing on Saturday, the Asbury Park Press reports.

It took over an hour to get the 820-pound, 11-foot mako shark on board the ship once it was hooked, according to the report.

The shark fell 38 pounds shy of the state record 858-pound shark captured in 1991, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

The shark “breeched” three times before the crew was able to get it on board, and the whole crew was exhausted by the time the ordeal was over, according to the report.

Rob Kurian, of Perkiomenville, was the captain of ship, and Gary Blakla of Philadelphia, reeled in the monster, according to the Cape May County Herald. Fred Dirsh Sr., Fred Dirsh Jr. and Paul Tsoukalas rounded out the crew that made the near-history making catch. Kurian said it was “by far” the biggest fish he ever caught.

The haul was weighed at the South Jersey Marina.

Summer flounder season begins this weekend, and the 35th Shark Tournament at South Jersey Marina is set for June 10-16.

The attached image was posted on the South Jersey Marina Facebook page.