Great White Shark Catch Surprised Fisherman

Fisherman Michael Castillo said he didn't know what was on the end of his hook, and a Fish and Game officer was certain either -- even after he pulled it out of the water in Huntington Beach.

"I was nervous, excited," Castillo said. "I didn't know what was at the end of the hook."

On August 22, Castillo was fishing in Huntington Beach, when he saw his float go down. What happened next was captured on video and posted on YouTube. 

Part of the 45-minute struggle shows three other fishermen helping Castillo to reel in what they thought was a mako shark, an unprotected species.

Castillo said a Fish and Game officer had to consult a book to determine what kind of shark he had hooked.  He said even the officer thought it was a mako shark, at least at first.

The officer took two of the shark teeth, and five hours later Castillo got another call.  He was ordered to give the fish to authorities, who determined it was a great white shark, which is a protected species.

"Did I know it was a great white?  No I did not," said Castillo, who was not issued a citation for the catch.

Fish and Game officials are still collecting evidence and plan to submit a report to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.  It will be up to the DA to decide whether or not to file charges.

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