Behemoth marine creature: Fishermen pull in colossal 700-pound shark from Connecticut seashore
Ed Lovely, a 46-year-old fisherman from Hampton, Connecticut, has made a splash in the fishing world with his recent catch off the coast of Stonington. On July 30, 2025, Lovely and a companion reeled in a potentially record-breaking 700-pound Thresher shark.
The shark, known for its long tail that whips around, was too large to fit in Lovely's 16-foot-long boat. So, with the help of his son and a trailer, they successfully transported the monster of the deep from the dock at approximately 1 a.m.
Lovely described the shark as the largest he has ever seen in his life. The current record for the largest shark caught off Connecticut waters appears to be an estimated 700-pound, 16-foot-long Thresher shark, caught near Fishers Island and Stonington. This catch, made by Lovely and his companion, is widely reported as potentially record-breaking for the state.
The shark fishing trip began peacefully but ended in chaos when the record-breaking catch was made two hours into the trip. Lovely uses balloons as bobbers to hold his bait at the desired depth, and on this fateful day, something pulled the line.
For the next six hours, Lovely and his friend fought to reel in the massive shark. Lovely admitted that mental strength played a crucial role in continuing the battle. If Lovely encounters a shark as large as the one he caught, he plans to cut the line.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is also reviewing Lovely's catch for the Marine Trophy Fish Award. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is assessing the catch to see if it will break the record.
Lovely has no intention of trying to top his current record-breaking catch. Instead, he advises anyone aspiring to catch a large shark to "go out there and try it." His wife, Cynthia, said the shark's meat has been cut up, filleted, and put in coolers to be shared with friends and family.
This information is sourced from multiple recent news reports confirming the exceptional size of Lovely’s catch and its likelihood to set a new record for the region.
Sports enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly anticipating the official confirmation of Ed Lovely's 700-pound Thresher shark catch, potentially setting a new sports record for the largest shark caught off Connecticut waters. Lovely, a dedicated fisherman, encourages fellow sports enthusiasts to try their luck in shark fishing, having shared the bounty of his record-breaking catch with friends and family.
