Watch: ‘Monster’ bull shark attacks Florida fisherman's kayak
Bull shark attacks fisherman's kayak
A Florida fisherman had a close encounter with a large bull shark when it "swam right up and bumped his kayak" during a calm morning paddle on April 20. (Credit: Christopher LaFrange via Storyful)
MATLACHA, Fla. - A Florida fisherman had a startling encounter with a massive bull shark during what began as a calm morning kayak trip last week.
The video, captured by Christopher LaFrange on April 20, shows the moment he caught his fishing line on the large shark, which then splashes up through the water surface, knocking his kayak.
Bull shark attacks Florida fisherman’s kayak
What they're saying:
"Holy s***, that thing is huge," LaFrange can be heard shouting in the video.
After the initial impact, the shark slips back beneath the water, but moments later, it returns and rocks the kayak a second time.
A peaceful kayak fishing trip in Florida turned into a close encounter with a massive bull shark. The shocking moment was caught on camera. (Credit: Christopher LaFrange via Storyful)
"Oh! Oh! That was a monster bull shark," he says, as the predator swims away.
LaFrange was not injured in the incident.
Bull sharks are more aggressive than most shark species
Big picture view:
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, bull sharks are more aggressive than most shark species and are responsible for many unprovoked attacks on humans worldwide.
The Florida museum of Natural History says that Florida has long topped global charts for the number of shark bites, and 2025 was no different. Florida’s 11 cases represent 44% of the U.S. total and 17% of unprovoked bites worldwide. However, this is lower than Florida’s most recent five-year annual average of 19 incidents.
RELATED: Fisherman risks life to rescue great white shark caught on fishing line: ‘He didn’t hesitate’
Last month, a 20-year-old fisherman rescued a great white shark tangled in a fishing line off Hermosa Beach by wading into the water and carefully freeing it.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. Storyful contributed.