Texas fisherman hauls in 809-pound shark in Gulf of Mexico

PORT ARANSAS, Texas, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- After a battle that lasted more than seven hours, a Texas fisherman was able to haul in a gigantic shark in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ryan Spring was pulled for more than 15 miles by the 809-pound tiger shark, but he was finally able to reel it in.

"He was definitely a fighter," Spring told KRIS TV. "It was like seven hours of pure pain and suffering. But, it was all well worth it though."

It took about a dozen men to haul the 12-foot, 7-inch, male shark onto the dock. Even though it is huge, the super-sized shark does not break a Texas state record.

Spring plans to donate the shark meat to charity.

"If something bites the hook," Spring said. "I'm not going to give up."