Shark catch of the day for Port au Port woman out cod fishing

A Port au Port woman out for a day of cod fishing bagged more than she bargained for, and shehas the video to prove it.

JessicaGillisusedsome strong language when she firstrealized what was on her handlinelast weekend, but she retained her composure and used her cell phone to record the experience.

Gillis told CBC Radio'sCorner Brook Morning Show Friday that she looked over the side of the boat when shesaw something circling in the water that's when she spotteda shark taking her jigger.

"It happened so fast.It was quite exciting," she said. "I don't remember being out in aboat when I was a kid, so it was pretty much my first fish."

Gillis said she wasn't afraid, even though the shark was thrashing about.

"He was at least six or seven feet. He was big, I must say, and he was really strong actually."

Gillis said, even if she could have pulled the shark into the boat and was legally allowed to keep it the creature had other ideas.

"As soon as I finished recording my video, that's when he bit the line and he just swam away it was like the span of only 30 seconds to a minute, and then he was gone."

It's the first time Gillis has heard of anyone hand-lining a shark in the region, especiallyclose to shore wherethe water is only about 18 metres deep. For Gillis and her friends, it wasan exciting adventure.

"Best experience ever," she posted on Facebook."It's kinda like one-in-a-million."

And Gillis isn't the only Newfoundlander to have a close encounter with a shark in 2016. Check out these stories:

• Fishing boat encounters 4 sharks off Newfoundland
• Out to catch some cod, Torbay man hooks 2m shark instead
• Shark attack interrupts Newfoundland cod fishing trip