Shark season has arrived

By PETE KATSARELIS

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

Though the middle of summer might bring a lull in the feeding habits of many flats species, it signifies the peak of shark season.

The North Suncoast offers excellent shark opportunities. In fact, the Tampa Bay area is considered to have one of the highest shark populations in the world.

The large estuary and subtropical waters come together to produce a natural breeding ground and nursery for many species. Primary species of local shallow water sharks include blacktips, sharpnoses and bonnetheads.

Though they are a bit smaller than some of their better-recognized offshore cousins, these shallow water species are a blast on light tackle. Capable of blistering runs of more than a 100 yards and leaps of up to 5 feet, the blacktip gives a spectacular bid, often fighting better than the sometimes more prestigious snook or redfish.

With sizes ranging from 3 to 5 feet and 10 to 40 pounds, I usually target these bruisers on a 10- or 15-pound test. Connect the line with a bloodknot to about 4 feet of 30-pound leader and then connect that to a foot or so of 80- to 100-pound test in the same manner.

The 30-pound test will offer resistance against abrasion from the shark's body and tail while the 80 or 100 will help avoid losing the fish to its razor sharp teeth.

Perhaps the best part of shark fishing is that they're usually not too particular about what they'll eat. Whether it's live bait, dead bait or cut bait, it doesn't matter much. If you decide to go with cut bait, the bloodiest, oiliest types work best. Try using mackerel, ladyfish, or mullet, the fresher the better. Common live baits include greenback, butterfish or pinfish. I like to use a live palm-size pinfish with a couple of slits. The frantic vibrations they give off and the fresh blood flowing out of them seem to draw the sharks in.

Hook size will depend on the size of your bait. For smaller baits, use a stout 1/0 or 2/0 while larger baits might require a 4/0 or 5/0.

Look for areas with sharp changes in depth and good tidal flow. Areas where a flat or sandbar drops off into a channel, such as the north end of Anclote, are usually productive.

Sharks rely mainly on their sense of smell to locate food, so anchoring up on the edge of a drop-off and starting a chum slick is a good idea. For chum, use dead greenback or chunks of cut bait. Throw out a few pieces to drift back in the current every couple of minutes. Supplement this by dangling a chum block behind the boat to keep a constant slick in the water for the sharks to follow. You can find frozen chum blocks at most bait shops, or you can make your own with a couple of chunks of cut bait and a mesh bag.

If you are fishing over grass, you might want to drift your baits back on corks so they don't get stuck. If you're over sand, freelining it, using a small weight (no more than an ounce) will work fine. I often like to fish a couple of baits high (on floats) and a couple of baits low if possible.

Once your slick is established and your baits are out, be patient. Don't be surprised if you get large stingrays or even a cobia while you wait.

They often respond to the same chumming tactics. Though the sharks will bite at all times, I usually have the most success just before dark on an outgoing tide.

When you do get a shark, be careful how you handle it.

The 30-pound test will offer resistance against abrasion from the shark's body and tail while the 80 or 100 will help avoid losing the fish to its razor sharp teeth.

Be careful to release them in the same shape you catch them in and respect and admire them for what they are, perfect predators.

-- Capt. Pete Katsarelis fishes out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at (727) 439-FISH.

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