When positive things happen in our lives sometimes they are Turning Points that help us feel reinvigorated with a sense of purpose and an appreciation of our blessings.For a mountain climber it's reaching the top of Mount Everest ,in the 100 meters it's beating Usain Bolt's World Record,for a distance runner it's running a 4 minute mile and for a land-based shark hunter catching a 14 foot HAMMERHEAD SHARK is the epitome of our sport.To witness first hand ,to be able to assist and coach a young shark fishermen to a catch of a lifetime ,to experience such a giant being caught is a memory that will live in me forever.To have such a great group of shark fishermen near this young men when this monster bit his line was the luck of the Irish .To have old man JD Hammer next to us ,to help coach us with his near 50 years of experience was significant in the final outcome.To have such talented dedicated shark fishermen like Juan Mejia a South Florida Shark Club member and Captain of Team Comp Tackle,Team mate- Stuart Tucks ,and other avid land-based shark fishermen like Jd Fagan, James Fuqua (JD Hammer),Jonathan Polsino ,Scott Sorensen and Chad Smith next to this young angler when he hooked this MONSTER of the deep was a blessing for him.
To witness this catch first-hand has given me a renewed vigor and a better sense of my purpose in this sport .In the sport of land-based shark fishing I have felt blessed with inspiration and driven with passion to give of myself freely with nothing more to gain but the satisfaction of doing a good job for the sake of the sport and the fishermen in it. Last night was a culmination of many years in this sport. Three Teams fishing side by side were able to make this catch a reality.The BIGGEST SHARK I HAVE EVER SEEN UP CLOSE WAS CAUGHT LAST NIGHT. Last night all the stars lined up ,the shark Gods were with us ,and the right people were there to make possible such an Epic catch .This catch is good for the Big Hammer Challenge Shark Tournament and it is good for the sport of land-based shark fishing when we can safely Catch and Release such a large Apex predator. A 14 foot 1 inch hammerhead caught by a 22 year old fishermen after a 2 1/2 hour fight is a significant catch in any part of the world whether caught on a boat or land--it is a MONUMENTAL CATCH ;a milestone few will reach. The lucky angler Tyler Swerlow of Team "Comp Tack" deserves our praise and our thanks.Thank you Tyler for the adventure.
Team Comp Tackle
Dreams do come true, 14 ft 1 inch hammerhead last night
Angler Tyler Swerdlow
14 foot 1 inch Hammerhead Shark
9/0 Duel 2 speed
Video # 1
http://vid989.photobucket.com/albums/af ... u1wwdx.mp4
the incredible videos we took of this awesome battle and the shark itself
Video 2
Video # 3
the fight lasted 2 1/2 hours Tyler wanted to puke but hung in like a true champion
OFFICIAL Overall LENGTH Picture
OFFICIAL TAIL PICTURE
EXTRA PICTURES
the celebration among all present begins right after the release
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Epic catch!!!!!! Fish of a lifetime right there. Congrats to all involved. My hat's off to ya
-Chris (team sharkbound)
Absolutely phenomenal!!!! Congrats from Team SHARK Castle
I just want to congratulate TEAM COMPETITION TACKLE!!!! Congrats to Tyler and to the entire team!!! Congrats to Team Captain Juan who is one of the most humble and hardcore fishermen out there, and even a greater person. Congrats guys. I couldn't be happier for you all. And congrats to all the teams fishing and putting up great catches especially Hammer N The Phenoms and our friends JD Hammer and Jimmy Dean. You guys are tearing it up. Also Team Seawolves with my homie Jesus with some really nice catches including a Beast Bull Shark. Awesome Hammer by Hammer Wranglers as well and awesome Hammer by Joe of Dirty South. Congrats Fellas!!!!
congratulations team competition, juan and tyler, I don't know the rest of the team well not trying to leave anyone out. on a fish of a life time! Tyler you did an awesome job fighting that fish, way to hang in there that was one hell of a battle. that fish truly blew my mind I have never seen anything like it! that is something I will never forget!
That's a bigun. Glad to see it happen!
Land Based World Record #5 short fin Mako 700lbs
Team
Land Based World Record #8 Tiger shark 928lbs
True
Land Based World Record #9 Tiger shark 949lbs
Blue
SFSC Panhandle Events Coordinator
I was there with my Team (Hammer n the Phenoms),it's the biggest fish I have ever seen in my life, an epic catch I will remember the rest of my life.
"2017 Team little rock
Never test the depth of the water with both feet"
I DO NOT SWIM IN THE OCEAN
GO BIG OR GO HOME
an incredible catch, that's what we all dream of as shark fisherman all those hours finally pay off, well done to all involved.
cheers SHARKHUNTER 
Curious if it was single strand wire that cut the dorsal off. What was the leader used?
The scar on the dorsal was an old injury almost completely healed over with scar tissue. I believe he used a #19 and heavy mono combo.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger