NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 02 July 08 Curious croc caught crabbing (Matt Cunningham)
Two Darwin fishermen got more than they bargained for crabbing on the weekend.
Jason Ross, 34, of Leanyer and Justin Javier, 31, of Malak, were retrieving a crab pot at Hope Inlet on Saturday when they noticed the rope straighten and the pot start to drag away.
The men thought they had snagged a big catfish, but when they dragged it out of the water they realised they had trapped a crocodile.
The 2m saltie had got into the pot through a side opening and managed to get its snout stuck.
Mr Javier said it was still alive but was weary from its struggle to get free.
He said they ''carefully'' untangled the snout and set the croc on its way. It promptly swam to the nearest bank for a rest.
''We've seen crocs drag our pots but never anything like this,'' he said.
They caught their bag limit of crabs for the day.
Curious croc caught crabbing