Big West Coast Bull/////8 FOOT 8 INCH

Since school got out for the summer, I've been searching for a bull shark. I moved to Tampa thinking I'd see them all the time, but that hasn't been the case. I made plans with Rich(sterarol) to make a trip down South for some sharking. It's been raining for the better part of week straight here in Tampa Bay. All the freshwater has really messed up the water, my usual bait spots didn't have any life to them. I finally found a 20 pound Southern, which was promptly followed by the disappearance of my car keys an hour from home. It didn't start out as a good day, I had one bait, but we drove south anyways. Got to beach and Travis and Joe were already on the beach. We had 12 rods deployed with rays, drum, bonita, bonnethead, a little bit of everything.
Hundreds of tarpon were rolling anywhere from 30 to 200 yards out, we hoped the sharks were following them.

Around 12, my 80W took off on a slow steady roll. I took my time harnessing up, as we had some run that were quickly dropped, but it kept rolling, so grabbed the rod and tightened on the circle. It stuck and we were hooked up. I quickly found the reason for the 'Oh S$#@' handle on the Aftco harness, she kicked off on a short but powerful run, both me and Travis got pulled forward. After that, she came in pretty easy, had a couple lines got on the shark, but got it sorted out. She hit the sandbar and gave one last run, before she was beat. Took 4 of us to drag her out of the water. Taped her at 8'8", got some pictures, and a jaw shot and she was off strongly on her way.

VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40AU1s9ygfU

Laid back on the Barrett Rod

8'8"

Money shot

Little girthy

Quick thanks to Rich, Travis, Joe, Rocky, and Daniel.