paper copy of NP reports a 19' Great Hammerhead Shark lurking in the waters of Boca Grande Pass.
I've heard of 'Old Hitler' stories for years, i wonder....has he returned?

i don't have the gear to entertain that world record beast, but i'd bet it would be one heck of a fight!

It would be a shame for some one to take down this legend, simply for the sport. Swim fishy swim!

Mo,

me and jr are mainly catch and release fishermen. we will on occasion keep a slot snook or grouper, but sharks are another thing altogether.
we don't fish for them, but have caught the occasional black tip and nurse and release them.
i personally don't care much for shark, as they pee through their skin and must be prepared properly to remove the eurea (pee) from the meat, way too big of a hassle for us. heck, we don't even keep reds.
also, we never use wire leaders so the chance of catching a shark is minimalized.

my thing is i've heard of old hitler ever since i moved here, and always thought of it as an urban legend, but now maybe not.
our flats boat is only 18 1/2 ' so a 19' shark isn't an option.

I'm sure you and Jr. won't but there are sports fisherman out there who will. Remember that other record breaker that was caught like two years ago and she turned out to be pregnant? That was a hammerhead, too , wasn't it? Do you remember how big that one was?

I'm all for catch and release. I'm even all for catching dinner. If you happen to catch an extra grouper or triple tail, I wouldn't even mind that being my dinner. I just don't like trophy fishing or trophy hunting. Back in MN, the big thing was trophy hunting for bears.