Tips for catching shark in the Banana River

MSW_SatelliteBeach

I know they're out there. For some fun before my son ships off in the Army (he joined and will be leaving July 14), can anyone provide some fairly easily accessible (i.e. I only have a kayak) locations, tips, baits, etc. for catching shark in the river?

Thanks in advance.

Off Shore Dude

Don't you have plenty of sharks off your beach in Satellite? The only place I've ever heard of a shark hanging out in the Banana river is the chopper dock at Cape Canaveral hospital (unverified report).

MSW_SatelliteBeach

Off Shore Dude wrote: »

Don't you have plenty of sharks off your beach in Satellite? The only place I've ever heard of a shark hanging out in the Banana river is the chopper dock at Cape Canaveral hospital (unverified report).

Yeah, but there are two problems with that. One, the rocks make it dang near impossible to fish from the beach. At least for me, anyway. Spend more time hooked on a rock than fishing. Second, launching off the beach seems ok. Coming back sucks and I'm no good at it. Wanted to avoid dunking my gear and son as much as possible.

Off Shore Dude

MSW_SatelliteBeach wrote: »

Yeah, but there are two problems with that. One, the rocks make it dang near impossible to fish from the beach. At least for me, anyway. Spend more time hooked on a rock than fishing. Second, launching off the beach seems ok. Coming back sucks and I'm no good at it. Wanted to avoid dunking my gear and son as much as possible.

I believe most of the surf fisherman will find large sandy openings in the rocks to fish. That's what I used to do. Maybe some of the shark guys can point you to a spot that's much easier to fish. People been shark fishing around here forever. We just need to find you a good spot. There's also shark trips out of the port.

Jettypark

I see some people are really bored today.... there are "Sharks" in the Banana River and at times some monsters ....
as far as areas... I have hook up to them pretty much anywhere from the shore... fish close to one of the bridges where
you have a deep drop off.. and soak cut bait or "live" Pinfish...gut hook just ahead of the tail with a 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook
(again depending on the size of the bait) if the water is shallow, throw him on a float...

Cutbait also works well... I like ladyfish it seems to draw more bites.. but make sure to change it out after while..
I hate fishing with squid but I know plenty of guys that swear by squid and shark fishing...

when I have fish from a yak... we would cast lures for snook/trout/redfish... and set up a rod behind us trolling a live pin or cut
bait... its a rush when something grabs it and stops you LOL... most of the sharks are around 3 to 4 feet... oh and yes little bulls
swim in there and they fight really good.. and remember what I said about "Monsters" at times... here's something to get about
when you hanging your legs off your yaks...

bigoldredfish

Use a live ladyfish or blue fish with wire leader. I use 3 foot of wire to a 7/0 circle hook and then another 8" of wire to a treble for a stinger. Hook the ladyfish or blue fish through the nose with the circle and pin the treble to the back of the bait. I will also make a few small slices on the side of the bait to let out some scent but not enough to disable the bait from swimming. Find a flat next to a good drop-off or along a channel edge and let it out. We get many blacktips and bulls in the river this way. It is also good to fish the bait near where you caught the ladyfish or bluefish. Both the bananna and indian rivers are full of sharks. If you don't get one to hit in 15 minutes move. The majority of the ones I hook are 6' plus.

Jettypark

He going to need bigger gear.... LOL..

duckmanJR

bigoldredfish wrote: »

Use a live ladyfish or blue fish with wire leader. I use 3 foot of wire to a 7/0 circle hook and then another 8" of wire to a treble for a stinger. Hook the ladyfish or blue fish through the nose with the circle and pin the treble to the back of the bait. I will also make a few small slices on the side of the bait to let out some scent but not enough to disable the bait from swimming. Find a flat next to a good drop-off or along a channel edge and let it out. We get many blacktips and bulls in the river this way. It is also good to fish the bait near where you caught the ladyfish or bluefish. Both the bananna and indian rivers are full of sharks. If you don't get one to hit in 15 minutes move. The majority of the ones I hook are 6' plus.

Yep....and there are some big ones in the Sebastian river too....

Any oily fish like blues or mackerel are good baits.

SpaceCoast Slayer

wow.. it did a number on that red lol... hope that aint my legs one day :grin

Weed Line

Why in the banana river? There are plenty off the beach. I think it would be waste of time in the banana, try towards Sebastian in the Indian river

duckmanJR

Weed Line wrote: »

try towards Sebastian in the Indian river

North of long point...near the drop off of that flat (now just sand :banghead) used to be pretty consistent.....Some Tarpon in mid summer too.