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 gear do you use for shark fishing?
Shark Fishing Gear for Beach Anglers
Use a 7 to 10-foot heavy-duty, fast-action saltwater fishing rod or surf rod with plenty of backbone. Use a heavy conventional saltwater star-drag reel with a very high line capacity (5200/100-pound braid) and low gear ratio.
What pound test should I use for ocean fishing?
In general, you can get by with a 6 to 7-foot medium-action offshore fishing rod with a heavy baitcaster reel and 20-pound test monofilament line. If you’re going for deep-sea bottom fishing, however, you’ll need 50-pound line.
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.
How many yards of line do you need for a shark?
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.
What size hook should I use for shark fishing?
For sharks in the 3-5 foot range, use a 5/0 circle hook. If you think you’ll catch sharks larger than the 3 to 5 footers, we recommend a 12/0-14/0 circle hook. We recommend circle hooks that are forged to prevent bending and breaking. Hooks can bend and even break from a large fish.
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.
Is 20 lb braid good for surf fishing?
As a general rule, the best pound test for surf fishing ranges between 15 and 20 lbs when using monofilament, and between 30 and 40 lbs when using braided lines.
What pound test do I need?
When targeting trout, the best overall line to use is 6-8lb test. If you are fishing for bass or walleye, I’d recommend using 10-15lb test. If you are fishing for larger fish like catfish and muskie heavier pound test like 20–25 line is ideal.
What size line should I use for beach fishing?
Usually, 20-30 pound test monofilament or braided line works best in nearly all surf fishing situations for smaller fish such as surfperch, bluefish or stripped bass. If there is any chance you might hook into a shark or tarpon from the beach, use a setup with 50-80 pound test line.
How much weight can a shark pull?
The Caribbean sharks weighed in at 45 lbs, which verified the rule of thumb that the maximum force a shark can exert is it’s own weight, and the maximum continous force a shark can exert is 30% of its weight.
How much drag is enough?
Most anglers don’t ever need to go above 25 to 30 pounds of drag, says Rice. “The goal is to tire the fish out,” he adds. “When you get into the higher drags, I’ve seen grown men who didn’t have the right technique in a harness become exhausted quickly.”
How far do you need to cast for sharks?
Location. Sharks often come much closer to shore than many people would like to think. Consequently, you rarely need to cast your bait out 250 yards. Instead, try to cast your bait just beyond the cresting waves, where many sharks actively feed.
What tide is best for sharks?
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.
Can you use shark as bait?
Almost any small shark (Blacktip, Bonnethead, Leopard, Thresher) is a good bait as well, and the carcasses of larger sharks harvested for their meat are also good selections!
What size circle hook should I use?
For smaller baitfish, like a threadfin or finger mullet, I like to use a #2, #1, or 1/0 circle hook. For larger, tougher baitfish, like big pinfish or croakers, I’ll go with a 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook. No matter what bait you’re using, it’s important to match the size of the hook with the size of the bait.
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.
Is jack crevalle good shark bait?
Successful shark anglers take the time to get the bait they need.Many of the best bait species are actually great sport on light tackle. Jack crevalle, ladyfish, bluefish, and mackerel can all be caught on artificial lures such as silver spoons and jigs.
What weight should I use for surf fishing?
2 ounces (57 grams) is the minimum weight to cast when fishing the surf. Anything lighter will fail to keep your line steady in the surf unless it is extremely calm. Yes, it is still possible to use lighter leads and they can give great results, especially if there is no wave action and the water is not moving.
What color line is best for surf fishing?
The best color fishing line for surf fishing is clear. A close second best color is pink for surf fishing. Surf fishermen have their favorites that they swear by. They all catch plenty of fish.
Contents