Nikki Colwell is not just a 28-year-old teacher from South Carolina, but is also a record-breaking angler! Nikki has landed many sharks and other saltwater species in her years on the water, however, her catch in April was one for the books - literally! While fishing with her dad back in April 2021, Nikki landed a 7.5 foot long Spinner Shark that weighed in at a hefty 173 pounds, 5 ounces! After much back and forth with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regarding measurements and weight, it was confirmed in May that this catch would now be the new Spinner Shark record in South Carolina.

Shark fishing can be looked at as a very controversial sport/hobby. It has been viewed this way for many years due to the fact many people just don’t understand the dynamic of fishing for these great animals. We had the opportunity to chat with Nikki prior to her record-breaking catch this last Spring. She shared with us her love and passion for not only the sport but the fish themselves. She shared many different things with us, such as the importance of knowing the laws of where one is fishing and the proper way to release these massive fish back into the water. Unfortunately, a few people give a bad name to the sport, just like with anything, but that is not the case for Nikki and her family. They release approximately 95% of their catches. Of the ones they choose to keep, they harvest the meat to share with family and friends.

Casting Queens is proud to call Nikki one of our dedicated Pro-Staffers and we are so proud of the waves she is making on the East Coast. Women don’t get recognized as much as they should in the Fishing Industry, however, this catch did not only grab the eye of local news channels in the area but also sparked the interest of some not-so-local fishing industry podcasts and newspaper articles. Nikki was blessed with countless interviews and articles sharing her story not only of catching a record-breaking shark but also of her passion for fishing in general. She is a true example of what being a Casting Queen is and is an inspiration to other women looking to get out on the water and into the sport itself.

Find our full interview with Nikki below where we discuss all things Shark Fishing.