The Nation - News from July 14, 1987

A fishing boat captain bitten by a white-tipped shark yelled “Weigh that fish. It’s a record” as a rescue helicopter lifted him off his boat. He was right. The shark weighed in at 123 pounds, breaking the previous Texas record for a white-tip of 106 pounds set in 1980. Crew members said boat owner Ralph Poucher of Dallas caught the shark 50 miles off Port Isabel, Tex., Sunday, and as it was winched out of the water, the fish thrashed into the boat and bit Vere Wells, 37. The bite split open the calf of Wells’ left leg from two inches below the knee to the heel. Doctors said there would be no permanent damage.