What Do I Need For Shark Fishing?

Equipment

1. Rod & Reel. An 8- to 10-foot-long surf rod is usually ideal for catching sharks from shore.
2. Line & Leaders. Use 65-pound-test braided line for your main line when surf fishing for sharks.
3. Sinkers & Hooks. You’ll need a sinker heavy enough to keep your bait in place.
4. Rod Spikes & Hook Removers.

How much line do I need for shark fishing?

The most important features you’re looking for on a spinning reel for sharks is high line capacity (300 yards of 65-pound braid is the minimum) and at least 25 pounds of drag. A quality reel is worth the investment— they last longer, perform better, and feel smoother.

How much drag do you need for shark fishing?

A reel with at least 25 pounds of maximum drag capacity is necessary for sharks over 100 pounds. Smaller sharks will require reels with 15 to 20 pounds of maximum drag pressure.

Do you need a sinker for shark fishing?

To weigh the rig down, large star sinkers are definitely the go-to option. They lock into the sand and prevent the bait from getting washed around. The amount of current and sweep will determine how much weight you will need to keep your bait stationary.

What is the best bait for shark fishing?

The most common bait for sharks is bonita as they have a high oil and blood content. The next best is ladyfish, mullet, bluefish or king mackerel. You can use chunks of fish or whole depending on the size of the shark you’re targeting. When boat fishing chumming is the most popular method for catching sharks.

What pound test should I use for shark fishing?

Use 65-pound-test braided line for your main line when surf fishing for sharks. Braided line stretches relatively little, which will enable you to achieve a solid hookset, and it will also withstand abrasion better than monofilament lines will.

What type of line do you use for shark fishing?

braided line
Most shark anglers choose braided line for two reasons. First, braided line ranging from 80 to 100-pound test usually has the same diameter of monofilament in the 18 to 25-pound range. You can pack hundreds of yard worth of braided line on to your reel, which will come in handy when a strong shark makes a run.

What tide is best for shark fishing?

High Tide After Dark Is Best
Sharks come in closer to shore to feed during high tide. High tide gives you the best chance of putting your bait within striking distance of hungry sharks. Use the tide chart and plan to fish two hours before and after high tide. This will give you a four hour window to fish.

Are sharks attracted to period blood?

In a report by Popular Science, period blood actually does not attract sharks. Although sharks can smell blood because of the chemicals (amino acids) it contains, they don’t interpret it as their dinner bell. On the contrary, sharks sniff for the scent of their prey of choice.

How do you get shark baits without a kayak?

I do not kayak out my bait, but I do use a 3 oz pyramid sinker and wade out as far as possible at night and cast. I try to locate a spot in the surf where the 1st sand bar comes close to the beach. This allows me to cast in the “gut” between the shore and the sand bar without having to wade out very far.

What size hook should I use for surf fishing?

2/0 hooks
2/0 hooks are the best all around hook size for surf fishing. A 2/0 circle hook will catch smaller fish like whiting and pompano but are also big enough to catch bluefish, mackerel, fluke, flounder, redfish, snook and tarpon too.

What rigs are best for surf fishing?

The 3 Rigs You Need for Surf Fishing

1. Fishfinder Rig. The bait line slides up and down the main line, allowing live bait to swim freely.
2. Fireball Rig. Brightly colored floats on the dropper lines lift the bait off the sea bottom so it can’t be picked apart by tiny fish and marauding crabs.
3. Double-Drop Bottom Rig.

What is the best beach fishing rig?

5 Best Surf Fishing Rigs for Beginners to Advanced

• Clip Down Pulley Rigs.
• Red Fish Rig.
• Double Clip Down Rig.
• Far Out Rig.
• Kingfish Rig.
• Simpleton Rig.
• Surf Fishing Rigging Kit.

What is Bonita bait?

The Little Tunny or “bonita” are widely regarded as a trash fish because they are poor table fare. They do make great baits for targeting everything from sharks, snapper, mahi and mackerel. The best way to utilize the bonita is to cut their skin into strips for trolling.

What is a fish finder rig?

Fish-Finder Rig. The most simple rig is the fish-finder rig. It consists of a leader with a hook, and a barrel swivel is tied to the mainline behind a fish-finder weight slide. The fish-finder rig is ideal for large pieces of bait because an angler can “drop back” to a biting fish, and give it time to ingest the bait.

Can you use mono for shark fishing?

For smaller sharks (up to 50 pounds or so), you can get away with 17 to 20lb mono, with a 40lb leader, but if you are hoping for big sharks, it’s smart to go with 80lb mono, and be sure to have plenty spooled to handle the strong and lengthy runs that sharks are known for.