By:
Penn Reels Pro Fishing Guide - Capt. Richie Lott
How
to Shark Fish - Shark Fishing
Shark
Fishing is NOT a sport of the past when using proper tactics
and light tackle.
In
the Modern day of fast center console boats and King Fish
Tournaments we are caught up in, one of the best sports
that have gone past us on the wayside is Shark Fishing.
We
have all been there. In the middle of the Greater Jacksonville
King Mackerel Tournament, the flat line gets crushed or
the DownRigger clip pops and the excitement on board soars
in hopes of a Smoker King on the line. Then, the roof
caves in. "Man, it’s just a *&@** Shark!"
This is disappointment at best during times of competition.
Aside from the Tournament agony these fish cause, you
may want to consider what a ride that shark gave you while
you had him on.
As
much as some anglers hate to deal with the toothy critters,
catch and release Shark Fishing has become a big time
sport among recreational fishermen, and when I say fishermen,
I am speaking of men, women and children.
"Where
are all the Big Sharks?"
The
days of killing 14 ft. Tiger Sharks, Bulls and Hammerheads
are over for several reasons. Some anglers consider this
kind of killing to be inhumane just to have a Jaw full
of teeth on the wall.
The
biggest reason we don’t see a lot of big Sharks being
caught today, is many of the larger fish are gone! They
are far and few in between and each year their numbers
decline due to Shark Netters and Long Liners in certain
areas.
Shark
Fins are a hot commodity in Asia. These people pay top
dollar for these fins, and due to supply and demand, we
really need to take extra care of this fishery before
Sharks become a fish of the past.
"On
the Bright side of Shark Fishing"
The
good news is, the smaller Inshore species (20 – 150
Pounds) are still plentiful in most Coastal areas. Black
Tips, Spinners, Lemons, Browns and Black Nose Sharks engulf
areas that hole up baitfish or have trawlers working in
the area.
As
a Charter Boat Guide and IGFA World Record Holder for
a Black Tip Shark, I can tell you these fish pull like
no other in the Coastal Waters. I would rate the battle
right up there with a Tarpon in fight comparison.
Last
year, I saw so many Sharks swimming around my boat on
several trips; it honestly made me a bit nervous. With
younger anglers on the rod and the drag set at an uncomfortable
13 pounds, I had visions of the angler falling over board
into the infestation in our chum slick. It’ll get
your blood pumping when you see all those 100-pound toothies
prowling around your boat.
How
to Catch Sharks - "Got Shrimp Boats? Got Shark Fishing!"
There
is no easier way to catch these Coastal Sharks than behind
a Shrimp Boat. These fish gather around the bags of the
nets in hopes of chomping on anything that falls out while
the trawling is underway.
When
the nets are raised, the Captain normally slows the boat
to an idle speed while the bags are dumped onto the deck
for culling. All the small fish and worthless By-Catch
is literally "Snow Shoveled" out of the giant
scupper holes on the deck.
This
is the dinner bell for many species of sharks as they
have followed for an hour or more waiting for this moment.
The myth about Dolphins running off Sharks is proven at
this time. Those Sharks get right up there and feed with
the Dolphins as they work themselves into a frenzy.
Now
and then you will see the Black
Tip Sharks get up in the air and do a barrel roll right
off the bow. That’s always special when you’re
standing on the bow looking around for a large fish to
target and a 130 pounder decides to breathe some fresh
air. I promise you, if it’s close enough, you won’t
ever forget it!
"Fishing
for Sharks"
When
the Shrimp Boats trawl, their nets are directly on the
bottom. This leaves a tell tale brown slick behind the
boat for a mile or so.
You’ll
notice Dolphins running in and out of the slick and Jack
Crevalle will sometimes be feeding on the surface, too.
The one thing you can’t miss, is that giant fin roaming
through the mud slick in confusion as he hunts down the
food source.
This
is the time to put out the lines. Normally, there is no
need to get too comfortable, especially if you have spotted
fish on the surface. In fact, if you are positioned correctly
in the slick, you won’t have time to put the reel
in gear, so watch your tumbs!
"Baiting
Up for Shark Fishing"
All
you need is 20 or so "Thumper Menhaden" to get
this job done. They make up a huge part of the Coastal
Shark diet along with other small scale fish such as Whiting,
Sand Trout, Star Drum and Tounge Fish.
If
you happen upon a school of 6-10 inch mullet, net a few
just to change things up a bit, and these fish will take
a whiting on the live line, too.
If
you are a big fan of using lures as I am, try a Yozuri
"Hydro Tiger". They can’t stand to look
at that thing. I don’t know what they think it is,
but they just have to kill it. Just work it hard across
the slicks where you have located fish. Don’t use
your most expensive lure in the box, either. They will
scratch one very much bad, usually beyond reuse.
"Mono
Leader for Shark Fishing? Why not?"
I
have caught far more than my share of these fish over
the last 20 years. I have never used wire leader in my
life. These smaller targets are not quite as brutal as
their bigger brothers are. We have proven the hook-up
ratio next to wire leader is far better than any type
of steel leader. Period.
Sure,
you’ll lose a fish now and then with this technique,
but the sport is what it’s all about anyway with
these brutes. 300 Pound mono will land at least 90% of
your fish without a break off.
Clip
yourself off about 6 ft. of 300 mono, tie a loop knot
at the top and snap it on the main line.
"A
Word on Shark Fishing Tackle"
Go
as light as you dare. I generally go with 80-pound Code
Red Braid fo rmy main line. I am partial to the PENN TORQUE
200 reel. Load it up with 80 pound braid and you have
several hundred yards of line with an ultra-smooth drag.
Smooth drag is required when light tackle angling for
these fish and this reel has gets the job done nicely.
As
far as rods go, you need a meat stick with a bit of backbone.
The BEST rod you can possibly use for this brutal, extreme
sport is an Ugly Stik (BWB 1120). When you’re pitching
to heavy hitters, you need a big bat to hit with and Ugly
Stik is the one.
Tie
on a 100-pound snap swivel to the main line, and then
on the end of your 6-ft. 300-pound leader, add a 7/0 long
shank RedfishOne
straight hook. The long shank will most times prevent
the Shark from biting on the leader. If the fish is biting
on the shank of that hook, he can’t bite the leader.
You won’t need any weight on your line or leader
to do this job.
Fish
your reels in gear to ensure a solid hook up, and with
any luck at all, this will have helped you sink the hook
right into the Jaw, preventing a gut hooked fish.
Pull
out your digital scale and hook it onto your leader or
hook and tighten that drag you are pulling 13 pounds on
the scale, or even a bit tighter if your lower back can
stand it. This makes it a little rough when you go to
grab the rod out of the holder, but the hook set it provides
is well worth it.
"Identifying
Characteristics & Weight for Coastal Shark Species"
Black
Tip Shark – 15 to 125 Pounds
Spinner
Shark – 30 to 150 Pounds
Black
Nose Shark – 15 to 45 pounds
Lemon
Shark – 30 to 140 Pounds
Sharp
Nose Shark – 8 to 20 Pounds
The
Difference between a Black Tip and Spinner Shark is the
most difficult to identify. The main distinguishing difference
is a more streamline "Missle Shaped" body of
the spinner and his small, beady eyes. The Black Tip will
not be quite so streamline with the dorsal fin slightly
rearward of the pectoral fins as you look at the fish
from above, where the Spinner has an offset dorsal that
lines up more in line the Pectoral fins. Also, the anal
fins if the Black Tip Shark DO NOT have black edges. The
Spinner Shark will have Black edges on the anal fins.
Spinners
and Black Tip Sharks are both jumping Sharks. Most times,
and angler thinks they have a Spinner Shark on the line
because of the jumping and acrobatic maneuvers they are
encountering. You won’t know which species that fish
is until you have the fish boatside.
The
most common misconception of Cosatal Shark Species is
the Black Nose Shark, which is confused with a Sand Shark
or Brown Shark as they are often referred to. In all actuality,
I have seen very few actual Sand Sharks over the past
few years. The Black Nose Shark has a very obvious black
dot directly on the front of the head, and the skin color
is Brownish/Green in color.
Black
Nose Sharks are often confused with Lemon Sharks, too.
The best way to identify a Lemon is the (2) dorsal fins
on his back. It is one of the few species with that characteristic.
A nurse shark has a double dorsal, but has a dark brown,
hard skin with a mouth similar to a giant catfish. They
even have small whiskers around the mouth area.
One
other common mix up between species is the Sharp Nose
Shark. Once again, many anglers think this is a Sand Shark.
Look closely, and you’ll find the Sharp Nose has
white spots all over his body. Also, this fish usually
will not exceed 48" in length. The Sharp Nose is
a small Coastal Shark, and their fight for freedom is
not nearly as intense as others mentioned here.
Boat
Positioning
Boat
position is extremely important when you fish behind a
Shrimp Boat or other Trawling Vessel. Unless the boat
is dumping by catch, you’ll want to set up in the
mud slick behind the boat. The proper set up is normally
around fifty yards behind a moving trawler directly in
the slick. Remember to judge your current and wind direction
to obtain the longest drift possible while keeping your
position in the slick. This is where the fish will be.
When
the strikers on the boats are dumping their by catch,
get right up behind the boat and put the lines out in
a position that will drift you behind that trawler as
long as possible.
If
you are new to fishing for large fish with light tackle,
get ready for some of the most extreme and intense fishing
available to you on your coastline. Get your children
involved in this sport and teach them the values of catch
and release Sharking.
Use
caution Handling Large Sharks
Even
the most experienced Shark handlers get bit. The most
aggressive species is the Black Tip and Spinner Shark.
The best way to handle these speedsters would be pulling
the fish close, get a picture, and cut the Leader. They
WILL bite as they are in a state of confusion and extremely
tired.
When
you wire a large Shark, please, use gloves when you grab
that leader. My fingers and hands are terribly scarred
from bare handing the leader when the fish took off for
a another shot at freedom.
To
sum it up, you simply don’t bring that fish in the
boat, and gaffing the fish will infuriate it. That fish
may take you overboard if you attempt a lip or jaw gaff.
