Terrifying Moment as a Paddleboard Fisherman Hooks a Shark as Long as the Board

If you are going to catch a shark as large as the one in the below clip, you probably want to be on something a bit larger than a paddleboard! This incredible footage was captured off Long Island Sound and shows fisherman Eddie Carroll catching a huge brown shark as part of a fishing competition. The massive fish is the same length as his paddleboard! Luckily, Eddie was able to free the shark from the line and nobody was injured. 

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Where Do Brown Sharks Normally Live?

Brown sharks are also known as sandbar sharks and thick skin sharks whilst their scientific name is Carcharhinus plumbeus. They are a species of requiem shark and part of the Carcharhinidae family. These guys are found all over the world in tropical and warm temperate waters. You can spot them in the western and eastern Atlantic as well as the western Pacific and the western and eastern Indian Ocean. There are also some populations in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Mediterranean Sea.

These are predominantly coastal sharks that tend to stick to muddy or sandy flats in bays or harbors. They are also found in estuaries and even in river mouths. You may find them offshore but this will be on banks near islands or flat reefs. Younger sharks always stick closer to the coast where they can find food and avoid predators. The adults are migratory and prefer to stay in tropical waters.

How Big Do Brown Sharks Get?

Brown sharks can reach around 9 feet in length and can weigh nearly 200 pounds. Their size varies by location. As their name suggests, they are a brown-gray color but some people describe them as bronze colored. Their bellies are white and they have a white band on their flank. These sharks have a slightly rounded snout and they have triangular saw-edged upper teeth.  

What Do Sandbar Sharks Normally Eat?

These guys are opportunistic feeders. They pick off small bottom fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. The younger sharks mainly feed on crustaceans such as blue crabs and mantis shrimps. However, the larger sharks can also tackle skates, rays, and smaller species of sharks. You will also spot them eating fish such as sardines, mullets, and mackerel. They tend to feed more actively at night.

The only predators of adult sandbar sharks are humans. They are commonly fished off the East Coast of the United States.