Remarkable shark, potentially surpassing state record, recently landed near Connecticut's seashore
Ed Lovely, a 46-year-old drywall company owner from Hampton, Connecticut, made a splash in the fishing world when he reeled in a massive Thresher shark off the coast of Stonington on July 30. The shark, weighing approximately 700 pounds and measuring around 16.5 feet long, could potentially break the record for the largest shark ever caught off Connecticut waters.
Lovely's fishing trip began "nice and peaceful," with him using balloons to hold his bait at the desired depth. However, the tranquility was soon shattered when he felt something pull the line. After a gruelling six-hour battle, Lovely and his friend managed to reel in the enormous creature. The sight of the shark on the deck left them laughing like kids.
The current record for the largest shark caught off Connecticut waters is an estimated 700-pound Thresher shark measuring nearly 16 feet long, caught off the coast of Stonington in 2025. This catch potentially breaks the previous state record for a Thresher shark (467 pounds in 2006) and surpasses the largest shark caught in Connecticut waters previously recorded—a 650-pound mako shark caught in 1987.
Thresher sharks are known for their long tails, which they use to stun prey. This makes Lovely's catch exceptional for Connecticut waters. The shark's meat has been cut up, filleted, and put in coolers to be shared with friends and family.
Lovely is in communication with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine if his catch will break the record. Meanwhile, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is reviewing Lovely's feat for the Marine Trophy Fish Award. Despite the potential record-breaking catch, Lovely has no intention of attempting to catch a shark larger than the one he recently caught.
For anyone aspiring to catch a large shark, Lovely's advice is straightforward: "go out there and try it."
[1] Connecticut Post: "Local Man Breaks Shark Fishing Record" [2] Hartford Courant: "Record-Breaking Shark Caught Off Connecticut Coast" [3] New Haven Register: "Hampton Resident Sets New Shark Fishing Record" [4] WTNH: "Connecticut Man Catches Giant Shark, Potentially Breaking State Record" [5] NBC Connecticut: "Local Man Catches Gigantic Shark, Could Break State Record"
Ed Lovely's fishing trip, while initially peaceful, turned into an exciting sports event when he caught a massive Thresher shark. This catch could potentially shatter the record for the largest shark ever caught in Connecticut's environment, surpassing the previous record set in 2025.
