Three fishermen have had a close encounter with a monster crocodile while barramundi fishing in the Northern Territory.
The trio were in a small tinny when the 4m saltwater croc lunged after a fish that was being reeled in.
Craig Adams, a reptile expert who runs SSAFE snake and spider awareness courses, hooked the barra just before the crocodile struck.
"It was kind of ironic that my first barra of the trip (and) a bloody four metre salty tries to take it and the boat," Mr Adams told ninemsn.
Mr Adams, from the NSW Central Coast, was fishing with his mate Steve McEwan at Shady Camp in early February when the photo was taken.
The croc was spotted earlier when it went for a fish caught by a nearby angler, but that didn't deter Mr Adams or Mr McEwan.
"We had no idea the crocodile was there until it emerged and nearly ate the fella in the other boat (in the top right of the photo)," Mr Adams said.
"Everyone wanted to leave, but Steve said 'Nup, next fish we're taking a photo' and he kept a steady hand and got a beauty.
"Croc jumping photos are pretty synonymous with the Top End but that one sort of sums up the NT experience.
"I don't exaggerate croc sizes and that was a four metre crocodile."
While Mr Adams successfully hooked the fish and managed to keep it out of the crocs jaws, he was forced to place it back in the water.
"We got the fish and he was just under size and we had pity for him, but I'm not sure he wanted to go back in the water," Mr Adams.
"We fished around there for the rest of the morning and the croc was ever present.
"It's part of the magic of the Top End — you can be fishing in very tiny waterways and a huge beast can be just beneath the water.
"That's part of what enthralls us about those places."
The story has netted both Mr Adams and Mr McEwan fame within fishing circles, with ABC fishing shows The Big Fish and Tales From The Tinny both featuring the tale.
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