San Antonio man's huge tiger shark is biggest donation ever to Corpus Christi resource center

An 809-pound tiger shark reeled in by a San Antonio angler earlier this month fed more than 90 poor and homeless people at a Corpus Christi resource center Tuesday. An 809-pound tiger shark reeled in by a San Antonio angler earlier this month fed more than 90 poor and homeless people at a Corpus Christi resource center Tuesday. Photo: Courtesy, Timon's Ministries Photo: Courtesy, Timon's Ministries Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close San Antonio man's huge tiger shark is biggest donation ever to Corpus Christi resource center 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO - An 809-pound tiger shark reeled in by a San Antonio angler earlier this month fed more than 90 poor and homeless people at a Corpus Christi resource center Tuesday.

Ryan Spring, a deck installer from the Alamo City, caught the massive fish, which was 12 feet 7 inches in length, about five miles off the Texas coast using stingray wing as bait on August 3. A friend of Spring's volunteers at Timon's Ministries, a day resource center for poor and homeless people, and set up the donation of about 75 pounds of shark meat.

"It was the biggest fish that has ever been donated to us," said Kae Berry, the executive director of the center. "It was really helpful, out of the ordinary and fun."

A volunteer chef prepared the meat by breading and baking it, she said.

"Our kitchen manager wasn't sure people would like it, but the chef did a great job and most people really enjoyed it," Berry said.

Spring said he was happy to be able to donate some of the shark to a good cause.

The Timon's Ministry is near the causeway in Corpus Christi and provides day services including food, healthcare, school supplies and clothing for the poor. Berry said about 20 percent of the non-profit's clients are homeless.

"A lot of the folks who come here have homes but they can barely make it and we are glad to help," she said.

Spring's catch did not beat the state record for tiger shark, which is 1,129 pounds caught in 1992 by Chap Cain, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife. The world record is 1,785 pounds caught in 2004 off the coast of Australia, according to the International Game Fish Association.

Berry said the center still has enough meat for a seafood stew that will be served next week.

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker