Anglers out of San Diego boated a large swordfish recently, but not before an equally large mako shark claimed part of the catch.
“The taxman took his share, but Pacifica Sportfishing managed most of a swordfish on the first day of their trip,” Seaforth Landing explained via Instagram.
The image shows five anglers posing with a swordfish whose lower body had been shredded by the shark as the swordfish was being reeled to the boat.
A swipe-through features video footage showing the mako shark swimming near the boat as one passenger remarks, “He’s wondering where his meal went.”
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Swordfish catches by recreational anglers are rare off Southern California, but it’s not rare for sharks to go after any large fish that’s struggling at the end of a fishing line.
Sharks that claim part or all of a hooked game fish are commonly referred to as tax collectors or, singularly, the taxman.