NEW JERSEY (FOX5NY) - Joseph Mandile and his son Gianni Mandile, 13, were surfcasting, or fishing from the shore line, at their favorite spot on Long Beach Island, New Jersey when the younger Mandile reeled in a big surprise.
What at first appeared to the Mandiles to be a stingray, turned out to be a 200 lb. sand tiger shark.
Joseph Mandile shared video of his son reeling in the big fish on Sunday while dad helped pull it out of the water.
According to National Geographic, sand tiger sharks are not very aggressive toward people. They like the shallow water close to shore, hence 'sand' in their name. 'Tiger' comes from their big appetites.
The Mandiles did not keep the shark. Video shows them releasing it back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers says this summer could be a banner one for shark sightings along the East Coast, but it's too early to say yet.
With the Associated Press