On Friday, September 7, local boy Bob Gurner finally reeled in this 200 kilogram, 3.5 metre, shore-based Dusky Whaler shark about 20 metres from the Scotts Head boat ramp.

He used a kayak to drop the mack tuna bait jig just out from the shore, and by the time he found his way back in he didn’t have long to wait for the ride of his life.

“About 10 minutes later it started screaming and I knew I was on,” he said.

Bob is used to big game fish, but he reckons this one is easily the biggest he’s ever caught – and it took him well over an hour’s hard slog to pull it in.

“Once it took it I just locked the reel up. But it was dragging me all around the carpark and up onto the rocks and around the headland.

“It was a good hour and fifteen fight at least!

And he paid for it after.

“I reckon for about three days afterwards every muscle in my body was absolutely caning,” he said.

The beautiful shark lived to swim another day after a quick photo opportunity.

Bob said one of his mates – a longboarder in the area – is now seriously thinking about changing her routine after the shark – hooked at 6pm – was reeled in from the same place and at the same time she usually goes out for a paddle.

And he reckons it’s not a fluke either.

Bob had a close encounter with another three-metre giant just off main beach, Nambucca Heads, only the week before while skin diving for crays.

“That one was a Bronze Whaler and it came to within an arm’s distance of me,” he said.

“There’s plenty of ‘em out there right now. They can be a bit sneaky – you don’t usually see ‘em but they are definitely there. They blend themselves into their surroundings real well.”

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