Unexpected Bull Shark Encounter
North Carolina Fisherman Hooks 300-Pound Bull Shark While Tarpon Fishing
A North Carolina fisherman got far more than he bargained for on June 25, 2026, when he hooked an estimated 300-pound bull shark in the Neuse River — while fishing for tarpon. Michael Starkie, a veteran angler with over 30 years of experience in Eastern North Carolina, battled the beast for 30 minutes before cutting the line to let it go, according to WITN-TV.
The shark measured an estimated 8 feet long. Starkie had only been at that spot on the river for about 15 minutes before it struck. "I'd been fishing for a few hours but had only been in this spot for about 15 minutes before I caught this guy," Starkie said, per Gray News.
A 30-Minute Fight Near a Historic Swimming Hole
Starkie and a friend — a professional commercial fisherman — arrived at the Neuse River near an area called Green Springs on the morning of June 25, WITN-TV reported. After working several spots for hours, Starkie cast at the new location. Within 15 minutes, the shark hit his line. The fight lasted roughly 30 minutes and was described as "brutal."
The shark surfaced during the struggle, giving Starkie and his friend a clear look at the animal. Starkie's companion — with professional fishing experience — estimated the shark at 8 feet and 300 pounds. Knowing they were near a popular local area, Starkie chose to cut the line and release it, according to KCRG.
Bull Sharks Are Moving Further Inland Into NC Rivers
Bull sharks can survive in both salt water and fresh water. That makes rivers like the Neuse, which connects to the Pamlico Sound, ideal territory. Before 2010, juvenile bull shark sightings in the sound were rare. Between 2011 and 2016, researchers captured 53 juvenile bull sharks in the area — up from just 6 between 2003 and 2011, according to a study by East Carolina University and Simon Fraser University.
Marine biologist Dr. Chuck Bangley, who has studied North Carolina's bull shark population, says the trend points to healthier waters. He has noted that bull sharks "pupping in North Carolina suggests the waters are clean" and that "there's an abundant food source," as reported by Alaska's News Source.
Green Springs Sighting Reignites River Safety Fears
The encounter happened near Green Springs, a former homemade wooden water park built in 1975 that became a popular local swimming hole. The structure has fallen apart since its builder, George Wetherington, died in 2019. But locals still use the area. A 300-pound shark swimming there has rattled some residents, according to WNEM.
The concerns are not new. In 2020, a man was bitten by a shark in the Neuse River about a mile from this location. North Carolina has a circle hook requirement for shark fishing — in effect since June 2020 — which mandates non-stainless-steel circle hooks to help released sharks survive. Starkie's decision to cut the line likely gave the shark a good chance of recovery, per WLFI.
Fishermen and Scientists See the Encounter Differently
Among anglers, Starkie's fight with an 8-foot predator on tarpon gear is seen as an impressive feat — a testament to his 30-plus years on the water. Fishing communities have reacted with a mix of awe and respect, according to Fox5 Vegas.
Scientists see a bigger picture. Researchers view the growing presence of bull sharks in the Neuse not as a danger sign but as a sign of ecological recovery. Rising water temperatures and cleaner waterways are drawing apex predators further inland each year. North Carolina's outdoor recreation economy is worth $17.8 billion — and the overlap between game fishing and shark territory is only expected to grow, according to 1011 Now.
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