School's out for summer and youngsters are ready to go fishing. Sharks make a perfect target as they are relatively plentiful and generally willing to eat. Plus, most youngsters seem to be intrigued by sharks.

Shark fishing does not have to be a big blood bath of chum, large hooks and heavy cable leaders as seen in the movies. Light spinning tackle is all that is needed for the smaller sharks that cruise the bay, flats and passes. Blacktips, bonnetheads and common sand sharks put on a big fight.

Dead baits and live baits work. A frisky pinfish will draw a strike from a blacktip, and a jumbo shrimp will take a bonnethead. All sharks will eat dead bait, but a common misconception is that dead baits should be old and stinky. Fresh dead bait works best. The stinky stuff may turn them away.

Handling sharks at the boat can be tricky. Most sharks can bend around and bite their tails. It is not recommended to bring any shark into the boat unless it is going straight into a cooler. In that case, it should be gutted immediately and encapsulated in ice.

-- Capt. Brent Gaskill charters the Summer Vacation out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 343-1765 or by e-mail at gaskill@tampabay.rr.com.

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