This Is The Biggest Hammerhead Shark Ever Caught On Camera

According to Dr. David Shiffman, modern shark species are generally of a moderate size at around 4-feet long (via SportDiver). Only a handful of modern species grow larger — like the whale shark which can reach lengths of 33 feet (via National Geographic). Huge as that may be, it is far from the size of their extinct relative, the titanic Megalodon. Nevertheless, the biology of some individuals defied this trend, as has been the case with Deep Blue, the largest Great White shark ever filmed. 

Hammerhead sharks are not typically thought of as one of the most intimidating animals in the ocean. While they can be dangerous to smaller prey — and each other when they decide to be cannibals — they are also critically endangered and most don't usually reach extreme sizes (via Oceana). The odds of encountering one in the wild at all, let alone one of record-breaking size, is not too likely. Yet in 2019, golfer and fisherman Greg Norman did just that when he hooked possibly one of the heaviest hammerhead sharks ever caught on camera (via USA Today).

For Norman, it had been a typical day on the open water. He even managed to hook a blacktip shark, a small and fairly common animal (USA Today). As he did his best to reel it in, however, a massive hammerhead swam up and swallowed the smaller shark before attempting to flee. As the blacktip was still connected to Norman's line, the boat was essentially towed by the massive shark for several minutes. Joshua Jorgensen, host of an online fishing show called BlacktipH, was present as well, filming the battle with both his phone and a drone (via news.com). 

Eventually, the shark was subdued enough that it could be reeled in alongside their boat. In light of both laws protecting the species and personal philosophy, Norman released the giant fish after taking a moment to "feel connected" to it (via Miami Herald). While no official measurements were taken, if Norman's estimates of its size and weight were correct, then — by a few inches — it would have been beaten the current world record.