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Outdoors

Never a better time to stalk a shark

By ED WALKER
Published April 28, 2007

The spring migration of pelagic species is in full swing. Kingfish and mackerel have arrived in strong numbers, tripletail are being sighted more frequently, cobia are being caught out on the reefs and in shallow water, a handful of tarpon have been sighted, and there are sharks ...lots of sharks.

For Nature Coast shark hunters, now is the time to break out the heavy tackle and get ready for battle. The "grey suits" have been spotted in a variety of spots recently, from the artificial reefs to the shallow grass flats. The most reliable places are large structures that hold schools of baitfish. Where there is bait there are kings and during the spring and fall, where you find kingfish, you find sharks. There are few things in fishing as predictable as that.

There are some places such as the Pasco No. 1 and No. 2 artificial reefs that I will simply not dive if baitfish are present. Without exception, when it is loaded with bait, it is loaded with sharks.

To catch them, start out by anchoring up current from the reef and establish a chum line. As the chum begins to draw fish such as blue runners and barracuda, catch a few for bait and chum. There is a huge difference between fresh and frozen bait. Fish that has been frozen or dead a long time will not draw sharks like fresh bait. If you can catch a barracuda, fillet the sides but leave them attached. Tie the whole thing to a rope and let it hang off the transom. This will produce a scent trail that will bring the sharks in from a great distance.

For spinner and black tip sharks, which are usually in the 40- to 100-pound class out on the reefs, float a pair of live blue runners behind the boat. You can cut them a little to make them bleed but it is usually not necessary. When these sharks get into the chum they become very aggressive and often will launch from the water as they eat the live bait. Wire leader is a necessity. For sharks less than 150 pounds, straight wire in the 80- to 125-pound class and 30- to 50-pound line is usually sufficient. Be sure to use a section of wire longer than the sharks you are targeting. If their tail or skin comes in contact with the line it will break immediately.

For those looking for giant sharks, the reefs also are good places to try. Tackle size will have to be increased to at least 100-pound test-braided line. Leader should be made with 500- to 1, 000-pound test aircraft cable and the connections double sleeved. When fishing such heavy gear, rod belts and harnesses are recommended.

We usually place our baits for big sharks on the bottom. Jacks or stingrays are top choices but there are few kinds of fish that a big bull or dusky shark will not eat. Once the baits are out, the reels are set on free spool with the clicker on. This allows the sharks to eat the bait before it feels tension on the line and allows the angler a moment to get ready before engaging the drag. As soon as the line comes tight, several big yanks to set the hook are needed, then the tug-o-war begins. Sometime later the big shark may be pulled alongside the boat for photos and release.

On occasion, huge goliath grouper will pick up a bait intended for sharks and really give the angler a run for his money. Goliaths normally run straight for cover and trying to stop a 300-pound fish from reaching his home 100 feet away with a fishing rod is not easy.

[Last modified April 28, 2007, 07:19:48]