Enlarge Photo

Mark the Shark

Just when you think you've seen it all, in comes something new over the transom. In this case, a big-ass hammerhead shark and an even bigger celebrity, Rosie O'Donnell.

Yes, that Rosie O'Donnell - television star, activist extraordinaire, one-time MLB National Anthem singer - and now, it seems, avid angler.

Ro's found herself in some hot water these days over a picture of she and her family posing on a dock with a huge hammerhead shark hanging from a rope like so much dead meat.

The picture appeared on the website of Rosie's favorite charter captain in her home waters off Miami Beach: None other than Mark Quartiano, aka 'Mark The Shark.'

Everybody knows Mr. Shark. He's the one that's been unapologetically slaughtering sharks in South Florida for years, hauling their dead, stinking carcasses in for the whole world to see, all the while defying the entire sport-fishing community as a whole and giving a black eye to sportsmen in the eyes of those who would just as soon like to shut down all recreational fishing.

Yeah, that guy.

Well, it seems Ms. Rosie's been an avid client of Mr. Shark for years. Yep, her blog even refers to him as "Rosie's favorite shark hunter," according to the Sun Sentinel. He, in turn, calls her "a great angler."

I suppose if two apples were ever meant for each other, this is it.

With environmental groups ripping her to shreds on Facebook and Twitter, Rosie went into major spin mode Thursday, tweeting away in defense of her good name - yet remaining defiant over the image.

The picture was taken "years ago," tweeted Rosie, arguing that the species only was deemed endangered at the beginning of this year. She also tweeted that "u catch what u catch" and that she "loves the ocean" and is "on it daily."

I have no doubt that you are, Rosie, probably on some very large yacht. But I've got news for you, my dear: As any "great angler" knows, you don't usually "catch what u catch."

And, like the old saying goes, you are the company you keep.