I was on the Jax Beach pier ~1972 when a shark fisherman caught a giant Jewfish (grouper species, ~600 lb I recall). The newspaper story was on display on the old pier for decades. Until they got the fish in, they assumed a giant bull shark. Had to work it onto the beach. In those days, the Jax Shark Club was at the end of the pier. A guy would paddle out ~1/4 mile in a kayak to drop a large chunk of fish on a big hook. They had a locker with rifles on the pier to shoot a shark once reeled close. Guys fishing live fiddler crabs would hook big sheepshead next to the pilings.
This was “Pier Chaos”. Looked like an exciting day. These are the exact days fisherman fish for. Great job filming with the phone! My phone films couldn’t even make blair witch b roll
Awesome vid. Hearing those reels spin reminded me of watching people king fish off the old pier in the late 80's, early 90's. Really wish we had cellphones to record with, or I was rich enough to have owned a camcorder back then! haha
Kingfish has to be eaten fresh, because it does not freeze well. We usually deep fry some, and the rest I will smoke. It will make great smoked fish dip, which is really easy to do. Occasionally, I will steak some, and grill it too.
