Need some tips to hit my summer goal!

dbirk51

My summer goal for my buddies and me is to catch a shark off the beach! we are familiar with inshore fishing and some surf fishing but we need tips! Like how to get the bait out, what to use, etc ANY TIPS WILL HELP!

InShoreGrant

Paddle your bait out on a surf board or kayak.

nick

InShoreGrant wrote: »

Paddle your bait out on a surf board or kayak.

This^

And make sure it's bloody.

wojtek9321

If you could get your hands on a bonita that would be a great bait to use.

bluewatermafia

Are you trying to catch A shark, or a BIG shark?
If you are just hunting 5-8 foot black tips, they can be caught on like 1/2 a whiting casted out on a 12'-15' surf rod.

gandrfab

I have done it with left over wire rigged ballyhoos, just south of the surfers at Ponce.

gandrfab

Even had a break off with a large tarpon doing that.

dbirk51

What size hook ?

temptingtranquility

Could prolly get away with a 7-8/0. +1 on just catching a whiting or bluefish and throwing out a chunk of it on a normal surf rod. Just many blacktips have been caught doing that as paddling out baits and lugging out a kayak is a pain in the @$$.

gandrfab

dbirk51 wrote: »

What size hook ?

If you are starting out go to the local bait shop and get pre rigged ballyhoo on wire and use a heavy surf rod and cast them out.

trousertroutman

Agree with above post, what size do you want? If you want a good shot at landing anything over 5-6' i would paddle out a bait on at least 400 yds of 50lbs or stronger line, add 6' of 200-400lb mono, and 6' or 400lb braided cable and a 20/0 circle hook. Use the freshest bait(live best) at least the size of both fists. Paddle out past the furthest bar try and be in at least 10' of water. Once out there rig a brick to light line(like 10lb test) to one of your swivels and carfully lower the rig and give the signal to your beach rod holder dude. If the current is really strong or a big live bait use 15lb breakaway line. DONT DO NEAR CROWDS!!

I prefer to use 40lb braid on a heavy spinning rig, i go with 10' of 100lb mono, a sinker slide clip a 6oz pyramid weight, and then 2' of 200lbs braided cable. Top with 14/0 circle and use live or cut whiting bluefish jacks, or a pompano head. Best of luck in your quest, inevitably the 10' shark will hit your small rig in the surf zone....enter jaws music!

gandrfab

Sharks are a cool thing to knock off the bucket list.
I have no want to catch anymore unless we are keeping them to eat.

trousertroutman

gandrfab wrote: »

Sharks are a cool thing to knock off the bucket list.
I have no want to catch anymore unless we are keeping them to eat.

I have only tried once but bonnet heads can be caught on blue crab, clam, shrimp and are great table fare!

gandrfab

trousertroutman wrote: »

I have only tried once but bonnet heads can be caught on blue crab, clam, shrimp and are great table fare!

YES they are.

Shallowminded Scout

Jacks and lady fish are also excellent baits. Very oily