350 lb. Thresher

[bmcl322]

Was out east of Truro in 170 ft flatlining Macks, and surprisingly hooked into a 350lb Thresher Shark on October 7th (maybe more like 380lb). Lucky as heck, as I had #200 Flc. leader, but got a perfect hookset in the corner of it's mouth and was able to keep her tight. I've caught 100s of sharks, even placed in the MVMST, but I've never hooked into a Thresher in October. Anyone else out there caught them in October? As an aside, on it's 1st run it completely cleared the water in a magnificent airial display (tail and all). After 25 mins, as I got her to the bow, her tail completely crushed and destroyed my bow/starboard docking light (a new set will run at least $150), but it was worth it, as she was a hog!! ....I let her go, but have heard they are good eating. Has anyone had Thresher Steaks?? Wishing everyone a Giant to end the season!!!

[SportFishStaff]

Yes thresher in my opinion is very good, I prefer the ones around 200lbs if I'm going to eat one they get 2 tough when they are over 250. I cleaned one that was 480lbs and had some from that and it was tough. I marinate them and put them on the grill, I've also made cajun shark bites and deep fried them, I've smoked them aso for fish dip and that comes out good also. But I'd let the big ones go and keep one around 200 for the grill. We usually start seeing them down here in NJ around now. The state record since been broken was caught in November it was over 600lb. They are usually on the ass end of the bunker schools.

[jpwhaler86]

Very good eating. Taste almost like swordfish.

[Gadaluvit]

no pics huh? either way Nice fish!

[CaptKevin]

I caught a Thresher in CC Bay 10 days ago on a live Mac while I was Giant fishing. The water temp was 60-62deg.

Thresher Sharks are one of a few species of sharks that can thermo regulate their body temp allowing it to maintain and regulate its body heat, so its no uncommon to find them in colder water looking for food.

[Charlie Wade]

Nice fish! My last time out earlier this month it was all blue dogs for me.

[bmcl322]

Thanks for the responses all. Good info. I have pics on my phone and if I can figure out how to transfer, will do so. I'll probably have to buy a connecting cable that will fit into my USB port, or get an adapter for the minicard. I'll have to get a pic of the busted docking light too. She didn't just hit it and brake it, she crushed it, metal housing and all; which is a bummer on the expense, but makes for a good story. For all the landlubbers that don't understand sharks, they think the fish was attacking the boat and I was in danger.... which of course is rubbish. She was just flapping her tail trying to get away. Though if anyone has a Thresher at their Gunwale, I recommend either keeping distance from that tail, or getting good control of it. If it was someone's chest that the tail impacted, instead of my docking light, no doubt you'd be off to the hospital with some major damage. ...but that aside......The fun part was when she breached. What a cool sight!! What a beautiful creature!! Awesome coolers. Really glad I let her go, as I'd love my 4 year old (Emma), 3 year old (Sara) and 2 year old (Connor) to catch her baby's babies years from now...

[Gadaluvit]

That last comment above was Awesome all of it!
But the last Sentance.... Thats what the hell Catch & Release is ALL about!!!