Florida Shark Fishing

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arowfan

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 12, 2008
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North Jersey
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Hey everyone, in 2 months I'll be making my annual trip to the fishing capital of the world, Florida! Almost always before every trip, I have a set fish to target, and this year it's gonna be shark :drool:
I've done some research on rigs, and baits and whatnot, but I want to know what you Floridians are doing! If you don't mind sharing any tips and techniques, I would be greatly appreciative.
Please, share your stories, and don't forget about the PICTURES :D

Thanks all!
 
Its pretty important to know where youre going to be fishing, from a boat or beach, what kind of gear you have, etc etc.

Targeting small sharks is pretty easy. Just toss out a chunk of lady fish or some other fish on a circle hook with a wire leader after dark and wait.

If youre wanting something bigger that is a whole different ball game.
 
Hey JD7, I plan on fishing off a dock, I have one heavy duty salt rod/reel PENN combo with I believe 80 lb braided power pro line on it currently; and another salt rod rod reel combo w/ similar setup. I do plan on going out at night; the dock is decently lite. I have seen a shark off this dock the last time I went, want to say it was a good 5 ft long-do you think my gear is ok?
What I've been reading is to keep a good what, 2ft of wire leader, then about a rods lenght of a heavy lb mono like 150lb or so, incase the line rubs against the sharks gritty body...is this a good idea?
 
mainstreet said:
it's all about what part of Florida will you be fishing
Click to expand...

I agree with mainstreet, Where your going to be fishing is very important if you want to catch shark off a dock.

My uncle had a buddy who would swim out on his surf board and throw out chum and fish for shark off of his surf board, I don't recommend you fish of a surf board but if you chum the water that would probably lure them to you. I've never personally tried to fish for shark, I'm just going off of what people who actually do have told me. As for your setup it sounds strong enough for shark having 2 ft of wire trace would help as well since there is a good chance the shark will cut the line.
 
Thanks guys. I will be mainly fishing in boca raton on the intercoastal waterway. And I may go to the beach some nights as well and cast off shore...
Payaraman, yeah I'm gonna pass on doing what your buddy does haha lol!

So what do you guys reccommend?
 
Ahh I've never fished on the Atlantic Side of Florida, just the Gulf and Carribean area. If your ever in the Naples/Ft. Myers southwest Florida area there are some docks off Marco Island that swarm with sharks (don't know species) though I've seen some distinct sharks (hammerheads, Bulls) in August down there before. Basically key to big shark fishing in the gulf is following the Tarpon migration patterns because juvenille tarpons bring big sharks.
 
tonyt- I've seen quite a few large fish of at least my size where I fish, including a shark that came up to myself and wife when we were dangling our feet off the dock-after that day, we pay a bit more attention when any limbs are off the dock lol.

I think I was reading somewhere that barracuda are good bait-I should use it as a cut bait right? And how big of a chunk of fish should I be using?
What rig do you guys reccommend for this type of fishing?
 
The method of shark fishing I've always stuck with (Granted this is from boat but could be applied to docks too). Take some fish like lady fish, mangrove snappers, reds, snooks, jacks whatever is in season really. Cut them up into thirds, saving a few select pieces for actually putting on the circle hook. Then with all the leftover fish, including draining as much blood as possible from them place the leftovers in two buckets. We put chicken wire ontop of the buckets and have two holes drilled, placed in the top 3/4 of the bucket to allow blood/smell to spread in the water. We attach two little buoys to the rope tied to the chicken wire and set the two buckets about 15 yards apart. Then take the boat about 20 yards and wait. You can caste out in between the buckets or wait because typically you'll see the buoys move as the sharks come in and bump into the buckets trying to figure out where the smell comes from. if you haven't casted already when you see movement with the buoys then caste in between and VUA-LA sharks on the line. Make sure your using atleast 150lbs tackle.
 
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