Who enjoys catching sharks? Everyone! Whether you’re a trophy hunter hoping to catch the biggest shark in Texas or a kid ready to tangle with an apex predator, there’s an excellent chance seeing a shark on the end of the line will trigger an adrenaline rush. And while the pros will certainly have some advanced tactics they’ll want to employ, most of the time for most people shark fishing doesn’t have to be complex. In fact, it can be incredibly simple. When you’re hoping to tangle with Jaws follow this simple shard fishing recipe.
- Rig up a rod appropriate for the average size sharks in the area you’ll be fishing with a fish-finder rig, three to four feet of leader, and a circle hook. Go big on the leader (60-pound test for 20- to 40-pound sharks is not too thick), because their skin will abrade it quite a bit. What about those teeth? That’s why we’re using circle hooks – they catch in the corner of the mouth and most of the time the teeth will be chomping on the hook shank.
- Anchor or spot-lock around structure where there’s current. Shoals, channel edges, or wrecks can all be productive. However, remember that having a moving current hitting the structure is key.
- Bait up with whatever baitfish are in the area. You can use frozen or fresh, but by far the best method is to bring along a small rod with a top-and-bottom rig and some shrimp tidbits, and catch your bait on the spot. That way, you know you’re matching the hatch and your bait is as fresh as it gets.
- When a rod tip jiggles allow plenty of time for the fish to eat the bait before picking up the rod and reeling it tight. Often sharks will take off as soon as they feel the bite of the hook but sometimes they’ll sit surprisingly still. At least, they will until you start tugging.
- Handle these fish with care! Even with small sharks use both hands to hold them fore and aft, and remember that if you hold a shark by the tail, only, it can bend itself into a U and take a swipe at you.