Shortfin Mako
An 800-pound shortfin mako shark was caught off the shore in California. Wikipedia

A fisherman in California got quite the surprise when he hailed in an estimated 800-pound shark on Monday. The fish was so heavy that it had to be dragged back to the dock.

The fishing community in Marina Del Rey is in a tizzy after a believed shortfin mako shark nearly broke a scale. Yahoo Screen reports that the shark weighed so much that it couldn't even be brought up onto the boat that caught it. Instead, the fish, which was 15-miles from shore, had to be dragged into shore and lifted from the water by eight men.

We haven't seen sharks like that around here for a couple years, said Craig Campbell, general manager of Del Rey Landing. It was a pretty big fish.

According to Yahoo Screen, Campbell's fishing scale is considered one of the best in the Marina Del Rey area, but it was no match for the shark.

This is supposed to hold a thousand pounds, Campbell tells the camera while pointing to the top of the scale, And it bent it up there big time.

The men who caught the fish are currently unidentified, but Campbell says that they are regular bait customers. Marinedelrey.Patch.com reports that the fisherman went out with chum buckets to attract a shark.

While many would be frightened over such a large predator lurking in the waters, Campbell says that the sea creature being caught is a good sign for fishing.

The big fish are coming out there and coming in a little closer, the L.A. Times reports that the general manager said.

According to the Discovery Channel, the shortfin mako is an aggressive feeder. The fact that the California fishermen were able to reel one in is impressive because the sharks are known for releasing themselves from fishing lines, and attacking those that provoked them.

The shortfin mako can be identified by its sleek spindle shape, metallic indigo blue and white color and its long conical snout. According to ElasmoResearch.org, the average baby shortfin mako shark will clock in at 6-8 feet and weigh anywhere between 135 - 300 pounds.

Diet-wise the shortfin mako generally feeds upon mackerels, tunas, bonitos and swordfish.

To see the amazing photos of the800-pound shark click here.