Massive Bull Shark Caught at Alabama Fishing Rodeo
@ReadWhatRickWrote 
For the second consecutive year, the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo has produced a potential state record-breaking shark. In 2023, a 1,019-pound tiger shark set a new benchmark. The 2024 rodeo, held over the weekend, saw the Bon Secour Butchers fishing team bring in a colossal 494.5-pound bull shark, surpassing the previous record of 448 pounds, 4 ounces set in 2015.
Adam Lyons, one of the vessel’s captains, expressed his amazement at the shark’s weight, initially estimating it at around 350 pounds. Tommy Bowyer, credited with the catch, was equally surprised. "We way underestimated," Lyons admitted.
At Monday evening's awards ceremony, Bowyer accepted prizes for catching the rodeo’s largest bull shark and winning the Gulf Coast Hauling & Construction Bull Shark Jackpot, which came with a $6,000 reward. Bowyer emphasized the team effort behind the win, with the Argo captained by David Stiller and supported by fellow captain Lyons and crew members Boyer and Michael Maguire.
The team endured a rough night at sea, forced to seek shelter due to stormy weather before resuming their fishing at dawn off Dixey Bar. The bull shark put up a fierce fight, taking a couple of hours to reel in, repeatedly escaping before finally being secured.
The shark's record status awaits validation from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the necessary paperwork already submitted. Marine scientists Marcus Drymon and Sean Powers, who also serve as rodeo judges, highlighted the significance of such large catches for research. These sharks provide valuable data on the health of Gulf species, suggesting that conservation efforts are yielding positive results.
Drymon, a shark research professor at Mississippi State University, noted that the size of sharks caught in recent rodeos indicates a recovery from past overfishing. Powers added that larger sharks are crucial for maintaining the ecosystem balance, as they prey on smaller sharks and stingrays.
Despite the apparent increase in shark numbers, documented shark attacks on humans have remained stable. Both scientists praised the Mobile Jaycees, who organize the rodeo, for their cooperation with researchers. Samples and measurements from the caught species, particularly the large sharks, contribute significantly to scientific understanding.
Bowyer and Lyons' team, the Bon Secour Butchers, hope the record-breaking catch will elevate their club’s profile and attract sponsors. The club, led by President Robert Walker, participates in various fishing events and hosts several tournaments, including the "Fish for Families" event, which donates all caught fish to the Morgan’s Chapel food pantry in Bon Secour.
This year’s rodeo saw 6,052 tickets sold, 3,734 anglers registered, and 3,240 fish weighed in, marking another successful event for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.
