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© St. Petersburg Times, published May 30, 2002
Packs of small blacktip sharks have converged on the shallow grass flats and are hitting shad, sardines and everything else in their way.
Known for spinning leaps, blacktips can get as long as 8 feet. The ones seen on the flats are in the 3- to 4-foot range, but they will give 10-pound tackle a workout.
They're not hard to find. Look for high-diving mature pelicans; they are looking for the same prey as the sharks. Don't be fooled by the shallow diving juvenile pelicans that are scooping up glass minnows. It's the high divers you want. You can drift the flat and cast with fast moving jigs or plugs, or anchor and draw them in with a chum block.
Wire leader is not a must, although it will save you a bit of tackle. It will not, however, provide as many bites as monofilament leaders.
Bag limits for blacktips are 1 per person or 2 per vessel a day, whichever is less. The practice of finning and filleting at sea is prohibited. Be careful handling these sharks and get them back in the water quickly so when they are released they swim off unharmed.
-- Capt. Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376 or by e-mail at captrick@luckydawg.com.