Taking first place in the Texas City Jaycees Tackle Time fishing competition, a hammerhead shark weighing in at 1,033 pounds and breaking the previous state record, was brought in by Tim McClellen. The previous record set for this species was 871 pounds.
The Texas City Jaycees are a non-profit group promoting community improvement and involvement through their work with a number of charitable organizations. Now in their 55th year, the Jaycees chapter has participated in the Tackle Time fishing tournament for several years. The organization will now have the honor of residing in the fishing tournament record books for reeling in the record-sized hammerhead shark.
Photo: Facebook/Texas City Jaycees
In an interview with Fox News, Texas City Jaycees President Blake Carroll explained that the annual fishing tournament ran from June 30th to July 9th this year and that the “ten days long competition is the biggest fundraiser of the year.” Raising funds for their entire year through the competition, the tournament enables the club to host community events year-round.
Photo: Facebook/Diving & Photography Via Brian Burnett
In a Facebook post on Sunday, July 9, the Texas City Jaycees commented, “Winning 1st place and smashing a 30yr State of Texas record Mr. Tim McClellen brought in this HUGE 1033lb Hammer Head Shark!!! Thank you to all of the fishermen that participated in the tournament and all of our amazing sponsors and volunteers for helping us continue a Texas City Tradition!!!!” Second place in the shark category was garnered by the catch of a tiger shark which weighed in at 964 pounds and the third place winner weighed 817 pounds. No small fries to be had in this neck of the woods—but then everything is bigger in Texas!
References:
NBC DFW
Fox News