The Largest Tiger Shark Ever Caught in North Carolina Was as Big as a Moose

Tiger sharks are impressive animals. They are one of the largest and most aggressive shark species in the world. Tiger sharks, like great whites, are responsible for many shark attacks. Did you know that tiger shark fishing is a popular sport? They put up a fight and are difficult to catch. Many try to catch tiger sharks in North Carolina. Can you take a wild guess at just how big the largest tiger shark caught in the state was? Follow along to discover the largest tiger shark ever caught in North Carolina. The angler also holds a world record!

In 1966, Walter Maxwell, a shark fishing legend, caught a 1,150-pound tiger shark at the Yaupon Beach Pier. He currently holds the North Carolina state record for the largest tiger shark. This was two years after Walter Maxwell caught a world-record tiger shark in South Carolina, but more on this later. While there are multiple shark records in North Carolina, none come close to the 1,150-pound beast Walter Maxwell caught over fifty years ago. For example, the closest second is a 768-pound mako shark caught by Russell J. Langford in 1983.

About Tiger Sharks

Tiger sharks are a type of ground shark. They are members of the family Galeocerdonidae. On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, they are listed as Near Threatened. Tiger sharks are large animals, surpassing the average height of a human. Are you ready to learn more about these amazing animals? Follow along!

Size and Appearance

Tiger sharks have very sharp teeth with pronounced serrations and sideways pointing tips. They also have long fins which help them quickly swim in the water. Tiger sharks have blue-green skin with grey or white underbellies. They are best known for their tiger-like stripes on their sides. These stripes and spots are more vibrant in young tiger sharks and fade as they grow.

Apart from their tiger stripe-like markings, they are known for their massive size. Most tiger sharks reach about 10 feet and 8 inches to 13 feet and 1 inch. On average, they weigh between 386 to 1,400 pounds. However, larger specimens have been recorded and caught. The world record tiger shark is 300 pounds more than the high-end average. While some people have recorded tiger sharks over 3,000 pounds, these aren’t verified, but may be true!

Distribution and Habitat

Tiger sharks live close to the coast in tropical and subtropical waters. They prefer warmer climates but are found throughout the world. Although not very common, tiger sharks have been recorded in places like Japan, Italy, Libya, and New Zealand. Typically, if a tiger shark is in shallow waters, it’s because it’s chasing prey. While close to the coast, they live in deep waters near coral reefs.

Diet

So, what do tiger sharks eat? Do they feed frequently? Tiger sharks eat anything they encounter when hungry. They aren’t picky fish. During the day, they spend their days hunting in deep water, and at night come closer to the shore. By the time tiger sharks reach about 7.5 feet long, they consume larger animals like bottlenose dolphins, seals, and leatherback sea turtles. Although tiger sharks rarely attack adult whales, they do attack injured and vulnerable whales. Sometimes, tiger sharks are called the ‘garbage cans of the sea’ because they consume trash mistaking them for food.

Predators

Tiger sharks don’t have a lot of predators, considering they are apex predators themselves. However, humans and orca whales prey on tiger sharks. Orca whales have been recorded holding down tiger sharks, causing them to drown.

The Largest Tiger Shark Ever Caught in the World

Technically, there are two world records for the largest tiger shark caught. The largest tiger shark ever caught in the world weighed 1,785 pounds and 11 ounces. Kevin J. Clapson caught this massive shark in 2004 off the coast of Ulladulla, Australia. While he beat the previous record, it’s technically a tie. For a new record to be considered, it needs to weigh 5% or more than the previous record. However, Clapson’s tiger shark was only 5 pounds more than the previous record and it needed to be 8 pounds and 14 ounces more. So, what was the previous record?

Walter Maxwell, the same angler who holds the North Carolina tiger shark record, caught a 1,780-pound monster on June 13, 1964, on Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It took over five hours and a lot of patience, but he reeled in the jaw-dropping record, breaking the previous record by 300 pounds!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Sean Craft