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'You idiot': Fisherman tells of his tussle with stubborn great white shark over net

A South Australian fisherman caught on video in a tug-of-war with a stubborn great white shark has told Sunrise of the ordeal this morning.

David Wilks, 46, encountered the white pointer while fishing off the coast of Port Pirie, last December.

In the video, recorded by his son Nic, he found the 300kg shark at the end of the net and palmed it right on the nose to get it off.

David Wilks and his son Nic tell Sunrise about their battle with the great white. Picture: Sunrise
David Wilks and his son Nic tell Sunrise about their battle with the great white. Picture: Sunrise

He continued to wrestle the net back into the boat, and the tussle continued for about 15 minutes.

David told Sunrise the struggle caused his outburst of swearing in frustration towards the end of the clip, including calling the beast "you idiot", before it swam away unharmed.

Mr Wilks’ son Nic said the pair had the net out to catch snook when the shark went swimming inside and started eating the fish.

The shark was filmed off the coast of Port Pirie last year. Source: Caters Clips
The shark was filmed off the coast of Port Pirie last year. Source: Caters Clips

"It was full of fish, so we were not just gunna let the net go," he told Sunrise.

His father said he repeatedly tried to let the monster go but it clamped back on the net.

The fisherman said he didn't want to cut the net because it was expensive and full of fish.

"We need our net back. They're worth quite a few thousand bucks so we weren't gonna let that one go."

David wrestles with the shark for about 15 minutes. Picture: Caters Clips
David wrestles with the shark for about 15 minutes. Picture: Caters Clips

"The shark came up in the net. I rolled him out once... He popped up again," David said.

"I tried to roll him out again but he jumped up and grabbed the gunnel of the boat."