A 100-strong crowd gathered to watch on as Hervey Bay fishermen Chad Runnalls and Dylan Brooking hauled in a massive grouper at the Urangan Pier on Sunday, believed to weigh more than 100kg.
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The two spent more than two hours fighting the massive fish, with the action-packed catch coming to an end about 1km from where it all started.
"We fish every day pretty much and try and catch big mackerel and tuna, but this was a real thrill," Mr Runnalls said.
"It was massive. It's a phenomenal fish - it's a big beautiful girl of a fish."
And while the groper was undoubtedly their biggest catch yet, a show of respect for the animal saw the two remove about four old hooks from its body before releasing it back into the water, which was met with applause from the large group of onlookers.
Read more at the Fraser Coast Chronicle.
