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CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. – They don’t have these kind of fish in South Dakota, but a man can go home with a great story to tell — and pictures and video to back it up.

A man named Dustin visited southwest Florida last week and went fishing offshore with Big Bully Outdoors.  He hooked an enormous goliath grouper off Boca Grande Pass.  The fish, estimated to be at least 500 pounds, switched directions and caught Dustin off balance, pulling him in the water.

Dustin, from South Dakota, got a picture with his fish before releasing it. (Photo: Bigbullyoutdoors.com)
Dustin, from South Dakota, got a picture with his fish before releasing it. (Photo: Bigbullyoutdoors.com)

He didn’t lose the pole, though, and handed it back to a crew member on the boat.  Dustin climbed back in and pulled the fish up to get a picture.  It was then released.

Goliath grouper are strictly catch-and-release in Florida.

Video courtesy bigbullyoutdoors.com, featuring Captain Andrew Herzog