A Polk County fisherman found a World War II practice bomb at the bottom of Lake Hancock.

What You Need To Know

  • Practice bomb was found during fishing trip

  • Polk County Sheriff's Office was called to scene

  • EOD technicians determined the device was a M38A2 100 LBS practice bomb.

“We’re out here everyday before sunrise,” said Paul Johnson. “I’m usually the first one in the water; I kicked the bomb with my foot, as I was walking by — didn’t know what it was at first.” 

Paul Johnson and two other fishermen, JoJo and Dylan Groene, said they didn’t believe it was a bomb at first.

“I kicked it up to see what it was and my head broke the surface. I said, 'Hey man, I found a bomb,'” said Johnson. “Obviously, they didn't think I found a bomb so another one of my coworkers helped me pick it up; he picked it up a little bit and then dropped it when he realized what it was. We didn't know if it was a real bomb or not.” 

Johnson and the Groene’s were able to lift the 100-pound bomb onto their fisherman boats and drive it to the dock, where they immediately called the Polk County Sheriff’s office. 

“A lot of sheriff cars showed up, almost immediately,” said JoJo Greone. “I put everything on my Tik Tok, it was crazy.”

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stayed overnight with the bomb until MacDill technicians could arrive. This is the statement they provided about what these fisherman found: 

"EOD with acDill AFB responded at 0530 hours to evaluate and remove the device.  After a review, the EOD technicians determined the device was a M38A2 100 LBS practice bomb.  According to the EOD technicians, the device contained no explosives and was safe to move.  EOD technicians removed the device from the water, took possession of it and transported it back to MacDill.  The practice bomb was a WWII era device with an operational use from 1931 to 1951.”

The fishermen said they are honored to have stumbled across a piece of history, adding that it gives them a larger sense of pride for Polk County. 

“I’m a collector of antiques and stuff,” said Groene. “My dad got me into collecting stuff. His house is just full of stuff that probably has zero value to the average person, but to people like us it has sentimental value. We found it in our home lake.” 

Other Lake Hancock fishermen have reported finding unique items like vintage jugs, bull shark teeth and centuries-old canoes used by Native Americans.