MIDDLETOWN -- A fisherman reeled in a fluke missing a large portion of its mid-section last weekend.

A belly-side view of the "half-fluke" Ed Grant caught Sunday afternoon while fishing Sunday in Raritan Bay.

Edward Grant, 45, of the Leonardo section of Middletown caught the strangely shaped fish in Raritan Bay while fishing with friends aboard the Wanna Do 3 on Sunday afternoon.

"We were very shocked," Grant said, adding, "We used a few other words, too."

Grant tossed the 18.5 inch fluke back into the bay, deciding it had been through enough already and deserved to live.

"I felt bad for it," he said.

He surmised a large bluefish or small shark got to the fluke, which was completely healed from whatever injuries it suffered.

Edward Grant tossed back this fluke he caught Sunday in Raritan Bay.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.