500-pound goliath grouper eats shark as shocked Florida fishermen watch: 'He just sucked it in'

Fox News ^ | July 18, 2018 | Jennifer Earl

[C19fan]

There's a reason goliath groupers are called the garbage disposals of the sea — they eat everything in sight, including sharks apparently. A group of fishermen were able to witness a 500-pound grouper's "rare" meal during a fishing trip off the coast of Everglades City, Florida, last week. Captain Jimmy Wheeler with Everglades Fishing Company watched as someone in his group caught a 3-foot shark. As the fisherman started reeling the creature in, a large shadow appeared. Wheeler instantly knew what was going to happen next.

[C19fan]

Hope the grouper thanked the fisherman for serving up shark.

[C19fan]

The fisherman used the shark to reel in the grouper. Now that is fishing with live bait!!!

[Bonemaker]

I don’t want to swim where they use sharks for plugs!

[Pecos]

I noticed in the article that the Goliath Grouper is a protected species in Florida, but that they are also eating everything in sight. Another example of “unintended consequences” when we try to legislate nature?

[McGruff]

We’re gonna need a bigger fishing pole.

[PapaBear3625]

I noticed in the article that the Goliath Grouper is a protected species in Florida, but that they are also eating everything in sight.

"Protected species" designation needs to expire after X years, with renewal requiring proof that the species is still endangered.

[DownInFlames]

Groupers are very tasty.

[mc5cents]

Groupers are but Goliath, AKA Jewfish are not when they get that big.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Manatees are also protected yet they’re not native to Florida.

[TruthWillWin]

[gr8eman]

With blackening spice on a cast iron skillet...mmmm!

[heterosupremacist]

Is that thing real?

Dang! Super-Grouper!

[metmom]

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5810907618001/?#sp=show-clips

[C19fan]

Impressive the fishing tackle held up.

[Conan the Librarian]

But they are cute and REALLY dumb. Hoping this posts:

[Conan the Librarian]

I was NOT the person running the hose (it’s not proper) but I was standing on the dock when “Big Bob” came by and took a drink.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Everything is bigger in Texas:

[originalbuckeye]

How far off the coast were they? Does anyone know? I have snorkeled off the Keys and I sure wouldn’t want to occupy the same area of the ocean that has Groupers that are that big!

[Dixie Yooper]

There used to be a restaurant in Alexandria, VA called Wayfarer’s. The chef/owner made the best Grouper plate I ever had. Anytime I stopped there between lunch and dinner on a Friday, he would bring out my Grouper and visit with me at the bar while I ate. I miss that place. It made living there, tolerable.

[rivercat]

Goliath’s are awesome to dive around. Then again so are sharks.