Sharks – stick it to ‘em!

There is no question that sharks are the most misunderstood fish in the sea. With increasing popularity of Shark Week and other marine related TV broadcasts, sharks have gained the reputation of savage beasts hungry for blood. While this may be true to a certain degree, sharks are not out prowling for human flesh at our favorite coastal beaches. Most so-called “shark attacks” are simply a case of mistaken identity. They may be perfect eating machines, but the damage we cause them and their ecosystem heavily outweighs the damage they do to us.

Sharks have been pursued and captured for decadess, but it’s only up until recently that anglers and conservationists have been extremely concerned with harmful actions such as finning practices and kill tournaments. Together, we all need to unify and realize how important sharks are to our ecosystem, and that as powerful pelagic predators, they can be enjoyed while at the same time properly protected and conserved.  

Although my goal is not to scare the general public, let the truth be known, the marine environment surrounding our beautiful state provides the ideal habitat for many shark species which typically move inshore during the spring and summer months, while migrating offshore during the fall and winter. In our great state, it is possible to tangle with sharks on any given day of the year. Some of the species you may encounter - depending on the environment where you pursue them - include, lemon, bull, black-tip, bonnethead, spinner, great hammerhead, tiger and at times, even the highly-prized mako.

When shark fishing the beaches of Florida - an exciting land-based angling opportunity that is quickly increasing in popularity - the most common species encountered are spinner, blacktip, and bull sharks in the 100-300 pound range. Spinner sharks are appropriately named, as they are often seen extravagantly leaping and spinning out of the water. When beach fishing, I prefer to fish a long, 150lb. test wind-on mono shock leader, finished off with three feet of single-strand wire or multi-strand cable leader finished off with an 11/0 circle-hook. The relatively short length of wire will help prevent kinks and break-offs which may occur during the fiesty fish’s acrobatic gyrations. A 12 oz. pyramid sinker rigged breakaway style a few feet from the bait helps keep the inviting offering near the bottom. For tackle, a high-capacity conventional reel loaded with 50lb. test monofilament will be suitable. Proven baits include oily bluefish fillets, fresh mullet and stinky barracuda steaks. Many beach anglers use the aid of a kayak or canoe to safely place their offerings up to 100 yards off shore out past the first or second through.      

When fishing offshore where large hammerhead, bull and tiger sharks in excess of 300 pounds are a real possibility, heavier 80lb. class outfits are required. For terminal tackle, start with a double line connected to a heavy shock leader - seven feet of 200lb. test mono will suffice. With the use of a heavy-duty ball-bearing swivel, connect a multi-strand cable leader finished off with a large 14/0 circle-hook. Add a kingfish, bonito or barracuda fillet, and you’re in business! Double crimp all connections for added strength, and use thimbles whenever possible to prevent chaffing. This versatile shark rig can be fished in conjunction with an appropriate sized egg-sinker to stagger offerings throughout the water column.

Warning: Inshore or off, shark fishing is all about catch & release. At no time should a live shark be brought onboard and at no time should you jeoperdize your safetey attempting to unhook the fish. Simply cut the leader at a safe distance with a pair of heavy-duty cable cutters or use a long-handled dehooking device and enjoy watching the shark swim off back into its aquatic kingdom.             

Tips For Beach Shark Fishing

Never shark fish in the vicinity of bathers, surfers or swimmers.

Place baits between defined troughs with the use of kayak or canoe. DO NOT swim offshore with bait in hand.

A rod belt will facilitate a comfortable fight during extended battles with determined fish.

When beaching sharks, handle with extreme care. Photograph and release as quickly as possible.

Dawn and dusk are key time periods when sharks feed.

Dependant on the conditions, use the appropriate weight to keep bait on or near the bottom.

High capacity reels with no less than five hundred yards of line are a must as chasing the fish is an impossibility.

Use the freshest bait possible as sharks hunt by smell.

Tips for Offshore Shark Fishing 

●    While a variety of sharks can be taken in one foot of water on the flats and in more than one thousand feet of water as far out as the Gulf Stream, around the state, “Shark Alley” truly lies in 100 to 300 feet of water.

*     Rig with heavy gauge circle-hooks no smaller then 10/0.

●    Floats help keep baits at desired depths. Stick with brightly colored styrofoam floats which can be easily retrieved and are more environmentaly friendly than inflatable balloons.

●    A typical offshore shark spread consists of a bait presented just below the surface in your chum slick, a second bait suspended at mid-depth and another just off the bottom.

●      A fresh chum slick is one of the most important factors for attracting sharks.

●    It is imperative that your gear be in top working order with high capacity reels equipped with smooth drag systems capable of handling heavy pressure for extended periods of time.

●    Strong, high quality rods with serious backbone enhance hook setting capabilities.

●    The combination of wire/ heavy mono leaders help absorb the aggressive head shakes, tail slaps and acrobat leaps of a hooked shark.

●    A quality pair of wire cutters and appropriate long-handled de-hooking tool, such as the ARC Dehooker, are needed to ensure a healthy and safe release for both you and the shark.