AS SEEN IN THE SUMMER 2004 ISSUE

Sharks eagerly provide invaluable lessons.

There are plenty of great reasons to fly fish for sharks. One of the many that is seldom considered is purely for the educational value. The majority of anglers new to this aspect of our sport prefer to target the more glamorous Silver King, although when a novice connects with his or her first big tarpon, they usually comment and complain about how hard the fish is fighting. The reason they have such a tough time is that they lack the experience required to fight such powerful fish on slender fly rods. This is where sharks come into play. All species of sharks inhabiting the shallows are eager to provide a wealth of experience in the do’s and don’ts of battling big, commanding fish.

Let’s face it – As a new fly angler, you probably don’t know how to handle a hundred pound fish and are probably a bit intimidated. When you finally do hook your trophy of a life time, the last thing you want is to bust him off due to lack of experience. It really isn’t your fault though as you’re probably just over-matched. It’s like stepping into the ring for your first boxing match and going up against Mike Tyson.

Sharks are the clear solution here. Once hooked, these imposing fish are characteristically similar to tarpon. They provide screaming runs, can leap high into the air and put up a bulldog fight when close to the boat. The difference being, when dealing with sharks if you break one off it’s really no big deal, as you can often hook right back up. After spending some time catching & releasing these wonderful predators, you’ll quickly gain the experience necessary to handle any powerful fish on a fly rod.

Anglers looking to target sharks with fly equipment can do so in just about any shallow water basin throughout the coverage area of this publication, though you can’t go wrong by visiting any flat from Biscayne Bay to Key West. With the use of some fresh chum, you’ll be able to attract the likings of bull sharks, lemon sharks, hammerhead sharks, bonnethead sharks, blacktip sharks, spinner sharks, nurse sharks and the occasional tiger. A bonus while chumming for sharks is that you’ll see a multitude of other species come into the slick. Tarpon, permit, bonefish, trout and a variety of snapper and grouper will all be frequent visitors.
 

Keep in mind that sharks behave similar to many shallow water species. When it gets cold, they move out to deeper, more comfortable surroundings. Your best bet for connecting with sharks on any shallow water flat is to stick to the warmest months of the year. Considering we call South Florida home, that’s an awfully big window. Optimum conditions for consistently hooking these beasts on fly include a slight breeze and stained water. Under these conditions you’ll find that sharks often let their guard down and are easier to fool. On the other hand, with crystal clear conditions they often act cautiously and vigilantly. Water depth is also crucial to your success. Some days the toothy critters will be prowling water so shallow it barely covers their backs while on other days they’ll tend to stay out a bit deeper. I generally start in depths ranging from 2’ to 6’, though the sweet spot is often somewhere in the middle at 3’ to 4’.

Other variables to consider are wind and current. As previously mentioned, a slight breeze is a good thing when you’re shark fishing as it creates advantageous conditions. The wind makes the sharks less suspicious of the boat and any unnecessary racket you may be making. It sounds crazy, but on a number of occasions while shark fishing when there was not a breath of wind to be found, I’ve seen big bull and lemons spook as easy as bonefish. Additionally, a steady breeze stirs up the water and creates optimum conditions. The wind assists in dispersing your chum and creating a wider, more inviting slick.

As far as current is concerned, it plays an equally important role in the task at hand. A strong current is good, but too much will confuse the sharks and they won’t be able to track the slick to the source. On the flip side, not enough current is even worse. No current translates into a lack of a steady slick, which basically means no sharks. If you find yourself in conditions with very little moving water, you may want to try anchoring your skiff along the edge of the flat where it drops off into a channel. The water running off the flat gets sucked in by the channel which increases the current and will help dispersing your chum. If the wind and current are opposing, drifting across the shallow water expanse is an option but staking off or anchoring usually provides the best results. By now you can tell that finding the happy medium of wind and current plays an important role in successful shark catching!
   

Now that we’ve discussed where to fish, let’s talk a little bit about what to use as an enticement. Barracuda, bonito, ladyfish and jack crevalle all make excellent choices. Sometimes catching your chum can prove to be difficult so it’s always a good idea to bring along some extra bait. Plus, you never know when an aggressive shark may come along and rip you off for everything you have. The last thing you want to do is end your day unexpectedly.

Once you’ve caught your chum and have arrived at your destination, you’ll need to score the fish prior to hanging them over the side. Another option, and one that I prefer, is to fillet the attractant (‘cuda, ladyfish, jack, etc.). Instead of cutting the fillets completely off, just leave them attached at the tail end by a thick piece of skin. Once the baits are prepared, run a small diameter rope through the gills and hang the fish over the side. Under ideal conditions you’ll soon start to see baitfish and other pesky critters hanging around. Then it’s only a matter of time before the predators come in to investigate. If you’re staked out for more than 30 minutes and no sharks approach, you should probably evaluate your position and re-adjust. You may want to drift if being stationary hasn’t produced any results. Trust me when I tell you, you’ll know when you’re in the right spot as sharks often come into casting range within minutes of the stringer of chum being placed in the water.

Now that you’re in position and sending out a tasty invitation, your job is to stand ready and look for incoming targets. Sharks are wild animals and all have different personalities; some aggressive and some submissive. Some will race into the slick with vigor while others will slowly and nonchalantly make their way towards the source of the inviting odor.

When it comes to tackle, I would recommend a twelve or thirteen weight outfit. My ‘go-to’ shark rod has always been a twelve weight Biscayne matched with an Old Florida Nautilus reel. Using a large arbor reel such as this helps gain line quickly after the shark’s long runs. You can get away with lighter equipment but you never know when that ten footer will come in, so I always like to be ready. Top quality fly fishing gear is a must for shark fishing and similar to when targeting any other species utilizing the best equipment you can will enhance your overall experience.
   
When targeting sharks on fly I would suggest a floating line. I would also suggest that your leader only be about six feet long as you’re only making short casts with a big presentation and want to be able to quickly turn over your leader. A 60 lb. fluorocarbon butt section to avoid being cut off on the sharks sandpaper like skin is a must. For class tippet, 20 lb. Mason usually does the trick. Attach a 12” trace of straight #5 wire to the tag end of the tippet with an Albright knot and you’re all set. Stay away from swivels as often the shark’s mistake them for shiny morsels.    
     
Fly selection is not complicated. Stick with the three choice colors of red, orange and black in any combination.  Big flies that are at least seven inches long and bulky are a good idea. Sharks have poor eye site and primarily rely on smell, so a big target that’s easy to see is ideal. A long shank 4/0 or larger hook is important as a short shank hook may catch between the rows of teeth and pull loose during the fight.
 
As always preparation is the key to a successful day on the water. Pack extra leaders and pre-tied flies before you leave home. If you don’t and the action is hot, you’ll be spending all your time tying leaders and likely lose quality shots. I always have two or three extra fly rods rigged and ready at all times to maximize on every opportunity that may present itself.

In most cases, as your eyes are scanning the surface you’ll clearly be able to see the sharks approaching. It usually starts with just one nosing his way up the tempting slick. Then as a couple others gather, they’ll get competitive and increasingly agitated. The idea is to cast the fly into striking range without spooking the sharks. Remember that your fly is imitating a dead chunk of fish, and dead chunks of fish don’t move. Keep a close eye on the shark as he approaches and attempt to present your offering at eye level. This will make the fly convenient for him to see and eat. Try not to strip the fly too quickly if you need to make a last second adjustment as a sudden jerk may spook the shark off. Rather, gently slide the fly into position and keep it in front of him.
   
Once the shark eats the fly immediately set the hook with a hard aggressive strip strike. Then lift your rod and hit him again as he races off in the opposite direction. As mentioned earlier in the article, once hooked sharks behave a lot like tarpon. Prepare yourself for long blistering runs and don’t be surprised when they turn and rocket right back at you. By holding the rod high, you can clear the guides of extra line before the fight really gets under way. If you’re having a tough time getting the shark to come your way, try pulling sideways. Often this will help getting the fish to move in your direction. Fighting a large fish on such a limber piece of equipment can be nerve wracking, but with a little experience it’s definitely a lot of fun. The key to winning the battle is preparation, such as well maintained equipment and properly tied knots. Most importantly, don’t panic. As long as you stay connected to the shark and always keep the line tight, you’ve got a great chance of landing the fish.
 
Now that you have managed to get your shark at boat-side, do not attempt to bring him in the boat. This is a 100% catch & release fishery. Snap a couple of quick photos at leader length then cut him off and let him have your fly. Don’t worry - the fly will rust out very quickly. It’s important to never forget who you’re dealing with. Sharks can be ferocious. I can tell you first hand you must be extra careful. When you grab a shark, they seem to have an excellent sense of exactly where your hand is and they’ll try and bite your arm off when you least expect it! Sharks also enjoy beating up the side of your boat so be prepared for scratches in your gel-coat.

One of my most hair raising experiences occurred when I was holding a 5’ lemon shark in the water at boat-side for a photo. A bull shark more than twice his size appeared out of nowhere and took a huge bite right out of the lemon, narrowly missing my arm! So be extra careful!

Sharks may not be as glamorous as tarpon, bonefish or permit, but they do provide fly fishermen, especially novices, plenty of opportunities to hone their skills. Their often easy to find, very aggressive and will readily devour your offering. Get out there, enjoy the water and have an awesome time fly fishing for sharks! Ultimately, you’ll be a better angler.


Bio:
Capt. Eric was born in Miami and raised on Long Key which is where he developed a love of the outdoors. Capt. Eric is a ‘people’ person and his prime objective is for each client to have the fishing experience of a lifetime, whether it’s fly fishing for tarpon or taking your son or daughter out for their first fishing trip.

A professional guide since the late 90’s, Capt. Eric is on the water almost every day exploring new areas and refining his techniques. He has guided clients to world records, tournament wins and has been featured on two television programs. 

He is sponsored by the Maverick Boat Company, Old Florida Fly Reels and numerous other industry leading manufacturers. Eric runs a Maverick Mirage HPXV powdered by a Yamaha outboard.  Capt. Eric takes pleasure in passing on his expertise and love of fishing. Whether it’s learning how to cast or the intricacies of how to feed a fly to a tarpon, bonefish or redfish, with Capt. Eric your expectations will be exceeded. 

Captain Eric Herstedt
954-592-1228
www.tarpononfly.com

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