Gear up for Surf Fishing’s Most Exciting Adventure

SHARK!

No word strikes such a powerful chord with people along the Gulf Coast. Shout it around swimmers and watch a frantic return to shore ensue.

Shout it among a growing core of surf fishermen and you will see a big smile on their faces.

Shark fishing has always had a following, but it has become tremendously popular along the Gulf Coast and for good reason.

Sharks are abundant along the 367 miles of Texas coastline. This offers anyone with the right gear, the right information, and adequate time a shot at catching a world-class sportfish.

To prepare for shark fishing, let’s first learn about key species.

Bonnetheads & Atlantic Sharpnose: We’re lumping these two together because they are the smallest and most common sharks on the coast, especially during spring-early summer. Topping out at four feet but average around two and a half feet, they both fight hard for their size.

Bonnetheads are often called “baby hammerheads’’ but they are their own species. Atlantic sharpnose which can be identified 

by faint white spots are usually called “sand sharks.”

Blacktip Sharks: These are the most common large shark nearshore, growing up to seven feet but averaging around four. They are spectacular fighters that will tail-walk and jump as impressively as tarpons. Blacktips are also fine-eating sharks. Due to their abundance, they are a species that some anglers will want to keep.

Hammerheads: Both scalloped and great hammerheads are large, even by shark standards, growing to more than 15 feet long according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials. Large as they are, these sharks can turn quickly with the help of their broad, flat heads.

Hammerheads’ eyes and nostrils are at the outer ends of their odd-looking heads, making them better able to see and smell food. Some huge hammerheads have been caught in Texas in recent years.

Lemon Sharks: Lemon sharks often swim around docks and piers or cruise near the surface of offshore waters according to TPWD officials. Every year eight-foot-plus lemon sharks are caught on Texas beaches.

Bull Sharks: Bull sharks are common off the coast of Texas. They live in most of the subtropical and tropical oceans of the world according to TPWD. Unlike most sharks, bull sharks can live in fresh as well as saltwater. Here in Texas, they’ve been found many miles upriver from the Gulf.

In 2019, a bull shark measuring nine feet, two inches was caught on the Padre Island National Seashore. It was longer than the state record caught in Aransas Bay (515 pounds) in 2007. The four-man team who brought the beast in refused to kill it, opting to release it for conservation purposes.

Tiger Sharks: This is probably the most intimidating shark anglers might catch in the surf in Texas. They are fairly rare visitors, attaining more than 15 feet in length and weighing easily over 1,000 pounds. Last May Christian Haltermann caught a 12.5-footer in the South Padre Island surf.

Gearing Up for Sharks

One of the best things about shark fishing is that it does not require a lot of fancy gear. It just requires good gear, so we reached out to Calcuttaoutdoors.com for some recommendations.

Shark Rigs: Available at Calcuttaoutdoors.com shark rigs are made with 9-foot, 480-pound stainless steel cable and crimped with double Billfisher® sleeves. The 9/0 and 10/0 rigs are made for smaller and mid-size sharks. The 12/0 and 13/0 rigs are for the serious shark fisherman with four feet of solid stainless wire attached to the cable. The wire will slip between the shark’s teeth, and he is unable to bite that part of the leader.

That’s an important detail that can save you the heartache of missing that big shark.

Sea Striker Surf Rods: These Sea Striker surf rods are constructed of durable fiberglass blanks with functional and comfortable EVA fore and rear grips. Double framed ceramic guides and graphite reel seats with stainless steel hoods ensure quality and value. White blanks have metallic silver graphics and wraps. seven-foot and eight-foot rods have five guides. Nine-foot to 12-foot rods have six guides.

Freak Surf Rods: Freak Surf Rods are built with graphite composite blanks for power and sensitivity. Designed with the surf fisherman in mind, cork tape grips keep wet hands from slipping while casting. Durable aluminum oxide guides provide super smooth casts. They come in eight, nine, ten and eleven-foot sizes.

Wrap Around Fighting Belt: The Calcutta Wrap Around Fighting Belt w/ Swivel Gimbal is the perfect fighting belt for fighting big sharks. Built from durable impact-resistant materials, these fighting belts offer a quick and easy application system, allowing you to gear up at a moment’s notice.

The spring-loaded, wrap-around arms quickly and firmly grab hold of the angler’s waist. This eliminates the need to fumble around with adjustable straps or buckles when the fish of a lifetime is on the line.

The non-slip padded backing helps to keep the belt securely in place. At the center of the belt is a swiveling gimbal that allows the user to fight from a wide variety of angles. This gives the angler the upper hand, which is needed when fighting sharks in the surf without the aid of a boat.

Surf, Pier & Beach Cart: Easily haul all of your fishing gear or beach gear to the water’s edge. This versatile cart features seven durable PVC rod and accessory holders. It has the capability to hold up to a 54-quart cooler. Galvanized steel construction with a tough powder coat finish protects the cart from the elements. Wide surface plastic wheels allow for smooth rolling. It’s easy to assemble with included tools.

Shark fishing can be serious fun, and anyone can afford it. By investing a little in affordable, but quality gear such as we have shown and studying the habits of sharks, you can make this summer, one to remember.

A Conservation Tip

Catch-and-release is the practice most anglers choose to make for big sharks, but sometimes it’s dangerous to take out the hook. If hook removal is a danger to you or the shark, we recommend cutting the leader as close as you can and leaving the shark with some “jewelry”.

Try our carbon steel six- or seven-inch cutting plier with a corrosion matte finish. They feature a slip-resistant grip to make the job safe and easy, even in the water.

Remember—if possible, keep the sharks you intend to release in the water. There is less chance of them doing damage to their internal organs.

 

 

—story by TF&G STAFF

 

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