A seemingly endless quest by Zyg Gregorek, owner of Anglers Paradise Holidays in Devon, for a Thresher Shark, finally came to an end in San Diego on Monday 12th May. A quest, which has seen numerous trips to search for Thresher off our own coast, the Philippines and also previous trips to San Diego ended when Zyg caught a 150lb Thresher Shark only minutes from reaching the fishing grounds on the first day of his second trip to San Diego. It was also Zyg's second trip with skipper Jack Vincent and Kelvin Nettleton of La Jolla Fishing
The Thresher Shark was the last species Zyg required for completion of the IGFA Royal Shark Slam, which requires catching a specified 9 species of Shark. Having already achieved the other two offshore slams, the Billfish (10 species) and the Tuna Royal Slams, Zyg is the first and only holder of all three Offshore Royal Slams in the World.
Paul Andrews of South West News Service contacted Rob Kramer, President of the IGFA, based in Florida, who said Zyg is ''totally unique'' and described him as ''the world's greatest fisherman''.
He said: ''There are many awards out there for fishermen - and anyone can throw in a line, get lucky and pull out a record breaking fish.
''But this is something else. To achieve one Royal Slam is impressive but to get all three is unheard of. He is the first and maybe the last.
''These awards really are the considered the big one - the Holy Grail. They are spectacular - travelling to exotic places and chasing a specific species of fish.
''It is not about luck - you have to research, to know exactly where to go and when. Zyg is a character and by definition he is the world's greatest fisherman.'' End of quote
Zyg would like to thank the Skippers and crews from around the world without whom, his achievement would not have been possible, also, friends who accompanied me on many trips. Thanks also to Penn Fishing Tackle and Oakley for their assistance, not forgetting my understanding wife Rose
As for what's next, according to Zyg "God willing I would like to add another 1000lb Shark species, 1000lb plus Marlin and anything which comes along in between"
