Giant shark possibly poised to surpass Connecticut's state shark catching record caught near shoreline
Connecticut Resident Sets Potential Shark Record with 700-Pound Catch
Ed Lovely, a 46-year-old resident of Hampton, Connecticut, has made a splash in the fishing community after catching a massive Thresher shark off Stonington's coast on July 30, 2025. The catch, weighing in at an impressive 700 pounds and measuring about 16 to 16.5 feet long, potentially breaks the record for the largest shark ever caught off Connecticut waters.
The previous record was held by a 650-pound mako shark caught in 1987. With this catch, Lovely's Thresher shark surpasses the previous weight record, making it highly likely that he has set a new state record.
Lovely and his fishing partner fought to reel in the monster for six hours. The shark was too large to fit in Lovely's 16-foot-long boat, so they tied it to the side and drove to the dock. The shark immediately pulled the line after Lovely felt something, causing a bit of chaos.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is reviewing Lovely's catch for the Marine Trophy Fish Award. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is also involved in the review process to confirm if the catch qualifies for the state award.
Shark fishing trips for Lovely start peacefully, with balloons used to hold bait at a specific depth. This particular trip was no exception, until the unexpected happened. Lovely, who has no intention of attempting to catch a larger shark, stated that if there's one as big on the line, he would cut it.
Lovely's advice for anyone aspiring to catch a large shark is to "go out there and try it." He caught the Thresher shark, the largest one he had ever seen in his life, using his drywall company's trailer and the help of his son. They successfully transported the shark and left the dock at approximately 1 a.m.
The shark, known for its long tail, was described as a "monster." Despite the size and strength of the catch, Lovely remains humble about his achievement, stating that he's just a regular guy who enjoys going out to fish for sharks.
[1] Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection [2] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [3] Hampton, Connecticut local news [4] Local fishing community forum [5] Connecticut state records database
[1] The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is currently reviewing Ed Lovely's catch for the possibility of setting a new state record in marine trophy fish, surpassing the previous record set in 1987.
[2] Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working alongside the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to confirm if Lovely's catch qualifies as the largest shark ever caught off Connecticut waters, potentially making a significant impact on sports fishing records and local environmental data in the state.
