Here's the link
http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fi ... -17-1.aspx
Folks this is a pretty extraordinary catch and one that we probably won't see topped for many years to come.This is a huge accomplishment from a beach or a boat.I've been talking to the fisherman that caught it and they have quite a shark fishing history up there in the panhandle.In time we will be showcasing some of the huge sharks that have been caught by these very good shark hunters.
My response to some criticism he was getting for harvesting this once in a lifetime catch on http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com was the following
Mr Ernie Polk has nothing to be ashamed of ,,,,,actually i believe he has broken the land-based world record for Mako shark and should be recognized and respected for his accomplishment.Any big game fisherman on a million dollar boat would be lucky and proud to catch what Mr Polk caught from a beach.Hooray for land-based fisherman and man like Ernie who pursue the biggest of MONSTERS from shore where the monster has the defenite advantage.Hooray for Ernest Hemingway (inspiration for real man and specialy for big game anglers),hooray for Ernie Polk and hooray for Walter Maxwell whose world record Tiger shark of 1780 lbs caught from a South Carolina pier in 1964 still stands as one of biggest accomplishments in angling history.Keep watching and see how often this category of shark is caught from shore and you will better understand the greatness and rarity of this feat.Congratulations Ernie now go and catch the world record Hammerhead from the beach or maybe the next world record Mako,,,,,,,,,all my respect to the man who fish from shore and dream of one day catching what Ernie Polk caught.
Ernie Polk's Story
We have three 16/o one 14/0 with130 or 160 dac. the larger line gives a better frey factor. I usually paddel the bait between 200yds to 500yds. we use bait of all kinds.To be a shark fisherman ya gota produce bait. I caught a cig that a king ate, a 55lb cuda cut him in half ,i caught the cuda that the mako ate we caught the mako that the rednecks eat. you dont do this alone its a team effort. one man could not handle a big fish at the hill. I have froze my but off so many nights to reel in a 300lb wad of sea weed. We wore the satistics out. Dont fish rough water you will die. By the way she weighed 674lbs and one fin was still touching the ground. the noaa chart said 700lbs it was close.total was 11'2 fork was 10' even. my computer is junk and will not send a pic.I will try to post one soon.
Ernie and his Mako jaws
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
Read the above story because it might be long while before you see another Mako this big caught from any beach.
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
thats one hell of a fish
Way to go Bro! That is one hell of a fish, and it must of been one hell of a fight!
Heres another pic. the fight on the pole was about an hour, the drag was realy hot. it made some fast runs but the longest probaly 300yds. it made 5 runs on top the whole time no jumps. we got it in site the first time and it stood its dorsal up then its tail, we knew instantly what it was, the first thing i said " its JAWS" but in mako form. I was so glad i had my 16/0 when it turned and ran. I saw how big it was and was worried it was gona spool me. Once we got it to the beach sean got the leader and i grabed its tail, it rolled and rolled me all the way to the bottom. it would not give me its tail any more. its chin was on the beach and its tail was neck deep. I got the roap and looked at sean and said hold it man hold it. I waded around to the side so it could not see me and lightly put the roap around and tied it, ran to the beach and pulled it tight. whin i pulled it tight it went crazy. it almost took the roap several times. the fight at the beach was awsome. real adaranline junkie stuff. one hour in to it sean and i won. we could not get it up on the beach is why we had such a struggle. We had to burry 4 rod holders and wrap the roap it tandem to the PVCpipe. We wound up 150yds down the beach so i had to get it even with the truck, i pushed her back in got the tail roap waded out chest deep and drug her even with the truck. Joey held the leader while i waded. she was still alive the whole time, but it was out of gass and i wasnt. We got it on the truck before the news got there. She was still alive when she was on the truck, I peted her easy like on the head and told her to swim to the light.
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
bud that it one hell of a fish and a nice story to go with it we fish all our lives to do what you id congratulations on a fish of a lifetime
WELL DONE
Amazing is all i can say. ernie imagine her jumping over your kayak on your way out lol
SFSC -East Coast Events Coordinator
Amazing fish... i heard they taste amazing too
Colby Uva : Bullbuster Team Captain
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/107013063084498996341/
SFSC-Tagging/Fishing Science Coordinator
Heres a pic of its keel. That is where the body meets the tail. It was 13" across. Its skin is alot smoother than other sharks. It also lives longer out of the water than any iv ever caught.
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
Heres a pic i found after i developed a roll off of my 35mm.
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
Yeah man almost happened. I had ran 2 baits at once and the current had crossed the lines. I had 2 more baits also. Sean was reeling his bait back in I still was in shorts with my lifevest on waiting for sean to get his bait back in so i could finish running the baits. My reel got a run , kinda fast and steady, i let it run for 50 yds or so and set the hook with my lifevest still on. I had been on the beach about 5 min and was fixing to run the rest of the baits. I bet she followed me and watched me toss the baits. I usually feel comfortable but i had an uneasy feeling thet day. Notice i was in shorts and it was 40 deg and i was freezing my but off but didnt care. Supprised i managed to get the lifevest off.
Amazing is all i can say. ernie imagine her jumping over your kayak on your way out lol
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
Amazing fish and great story. 
wow
SFSC -East Coast Events Coordinator