Discover the Biggest Shark Ever Caught in Georgia

Written by Taiwo Victor
Updated: August 8, 2022
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We’ve all been graced by massive tiger sharks and record-breaking mako sharks venturing into Georgia’s waters. But have you ever wondered what the biggest shark caught in the state is? While several types of sharks are found and caught in the state, no shark can still match the one we are about to tackle in this article. So, what is the biggest shark ever caught in Georgia?

There are several different shark species in Georgia. And seeing massive sharks in the state is not surprising, considering some of the largest sharks in the world can only be seen at the Georgia Aquarium in the United States. The Georgia Aquarium is home to a wide variety of rare types of sharks, including hammerheads and whale sharks.

The largest fish known to have ever lived in the water call the aquarium home. Great white sharks, hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, and other shark species can also be found off the east coast of the United States. This article will tell us which of the aforementioned sharks holds the title of the biggest shark caught in Georgia.

What is the Biggest Shark Ever Caught in Georgia?

Largest Tiger Shark- Tiger Shark Swimming

The largest shark ever caught in Georgia weighed 794 pounds and was 12 feet and 8 inches long.

©Yoshinori/Shutterstock.com

While Georgia hosts several gigantic sharks in its massive renowned aquarium, the title of the largest shark in the state belongs to a tiger shark caught in its waters. Chuck Hall of Brunswick caught the largest tiger shark ever in Georgia on August 10, 1975. On a private boat, Hall caught it at St. Simons Sound near STS. It weighed 794 pounds and measured 12 feet, 8 inches in length.

In Georgia, a woman also caught a 190-pound tiger shark that was the largest ever recorded for a woman. On June 3, 2012, Pam Page collected it on J-Reef, close to the main Liberty Ship. The shark length was 8 feet, 5 inches and has become Georgia Women’s Tiger Shark Current Record.

Are Tiger Sharks Dangerous?

Tiger sharks are indeed dangerous. They are the second most aggressive shark in the world, after great whites and before bull sharks. According to data, they killed 36 of the 138 people they attacked. The great white shark, who came on top of the list, attacked 354 humans, killing 57 of them.

Tiger sharks are curious animals that have been tied to numerous assaults. They will likely investigate any movement or reflections and may end up attacking people. In addition, because they frequent harbors, reefs, and river estuaries, they are more likely to come across humans and attack them.

Despite the rarity of shark attacks in Georgia, we strongly advise exercising extreme caution while entering waters where tiger sharks are present.

Can a Tiger Shark Attack You in Georgia?

Tiger Shark side view with teeth

Tiger sharks are the second-most aggressive shark in the world.

©MP cz/Shutterstock.com

Tiger shark attacks are extremely infrequent and rarely lethal in Georgia. According to the International Shark Attack File, Georgia has only experienced six shark attacks since 2012, and none have been deadly. The same file reveals that Georgia has tallied 17 unprovoked shark attacks since 1837. This pales in comparison to the 896 attacks in Florida or the 182 attacks in Hawaii. Due to the abundance of food in the neighboring seas, shark attacks on humans are uncommon in Georgia.

What is the Largest Shark in the Georgia Aquarium?

Biggest Fish in the World: Whale Shark

The biggest fish in the world is the whale shark.

©Rich Carey/Shutterstock.com

The whale shark is the world’s biggest fish and the largest fish that has ever been found on Earth, and the Georgia Aquarium is massive enough to host four of them. Whale sharks can reach lengths of more than 40 feet. In the Georgia Aquarium, they range from 18 to 32.8 feet long. The tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are home to whale sharks.

Many of the species at the Georgia Aquarium, a scientific facility, can be seen by the general public. They feature displays and events that visitors can examine up close, and they maintain 11 million gallons of water at their Atlanta, Georgia location. The aquarium’s major goal is to integrate site-controlled study with field research to provide comprehensive knowledge of and attention to the world’s marine life. Whale sharks can only be found at the Georgia Aquarium among Western aquariums.

The Ocean Voyager tank is one of the Georgia Aquarium’s best features. 6.3 million gallons of seawater are stored in this tank, which is the biggest exhibit in the Georgia Aquarium. They can keep the biggest fish in the world because of their enormous room – fish, sharks, and whale sharks are found in the tank. You may witness four different whale sharks in one tank while you sit and stare at the enormous glass viewing area. Furthermore, you don’t need to visit the aquarium to see them. On their website, they also provide a free live feed. Anyone who wants to see one can do so from home!

Does the Georgia Aquarium Have a Tiger shark?

Yes, a tiger shark is kept at the Georgia Aquarium. The great hammerhead, silvertip, and sand tiger sharks are among the other sharks that call this area home. But let’s say you can’t go to the aquarium but still want to watch the tiger shark or other sharks on show, the Georgia Aquarium offers Livestream experiences online!

What Other Big Sharks Swim Across Georgia’s Waters?

On May 19, 2022, just off the coast of Tybee Island in Georgia, a great white shark named Breton was discovered lurking beneath the waters. This enormous marine predator was more than 13 feet long and about 1,500 pounds heavy! Using monitoring information from the nonprofit organization OCEARCH, which specializes in marine studies, he was tracked on May 19. They employ satellites that link to tags on the sharks’ fins to allow viewers to watch the movement of marine creatures in “near real-time” on their website and mobile apps.
Breton was tagged in Nova Scotia, Canada, in September 2020 and has since traveled nearly 18,340 miles up and down the east coast. Scientists believe that this site is a popular mating area for great whites.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tomas Kotouc/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

For six years, I have worked as a professional writer and editor for books, blogs, and websites, with a particular focus on animals, tech, and finance. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing video games with friends.

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