In a feat that would make even the most seasoned angler's heart skip a beat, a charter boat captain snagged a great white shark off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, giving a new meaning to 'big catch of the day'. Capt. J.J. Logan of Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing reeled in a Great White estimated to weigh in at a colossal 1,000 pounds, as reported by Brobible.

The shark, which Logan described as "the size of a car," made an unexpected appearance during a routine fishing trip aimed at catching sailfish and mahis, the day was moving along with fairly standard catches and the ocean's usual hijinks but the arrival of the great white turned the unremarkable into the unforgettable. "That is the first one I’ve ever seen off this coast here, and it’s the third one, to my knowledge, to be caught off South Florida," Logan told WSVN.

The great white, a rarity in these southern Florida waters, battled with Logan and his team for a Herculean two and a half hours before they could secure it long enough to capture video and photographic evidence of their catch. "It’s pretty much the coolest thing you’ll ever see off the coast here. It’s the rarest fish you’ll ever see in your life, and to catch one in a lifetime is pretty remarkable," Logan recounted.

Despite the awe-inducing encounter, Logan confirmed that the shark was gently released back into the deep due to federal protections, none the worse for wear I'd suspect. Beachgoers can breathe a sigh of relief as Logan reassured the public that great white sharks are deep water denizens, unlikely to mingle in the shallows frequented by sunbathers and casual swimmers, the shark was caught two miles off the coast, this fact coupled with the species' typical habitat should keep those on the shore feeling fairly secure.

This catch coincides with the migratory patterns of these ocean giants, where just last month a 2,800-pound great white was tagged off Hilton Head, South Carolina, evidencing the sharks' southward sojourn as northern waters plummet in temperature. Captain J.J. Logan and his once-in-a-lifetime shark tale certainly have sharks enthusiasts and fishermen alike talking, and anyone keen on trying their luck in the waters can reach out to Marlin My Darlin Sportfishing via their Facebook page, as per Brobible.