Shark Fishing
Surf fishing for sharks is one of the most fun, rewarding hobbies I've every taken part in. Shark fishing is one of the least appreciated types of fishing especially when you're doing it from a beautiful sandy beach. Most people think of sharks as 'creatures of the deep' or 'man eaters', but they are actually some of the best sports fishing to be had from the beach or boat. If you're looking for something to do while enjoying the beach, shark fishing can provide an adrenaline-filled experience and a picture worth 1000 words.
For me it all started at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. My dad and I had setup one night on an incoming tide. We were inexperience just hoping for the big one. As the tide was coming in we had to move the poles back to stay dry. As soon as I pulled the bail back my hand felt like it was on fire. When I realized what was going on I could no longer hold the line. Screaming my fool head off my dad grabbed the pole, lock the bail, and set the hook. SNAP! The pole broke in half and needless to say we never saw the creature of the deep. All that to say that hilton head shark fishing is some adrenaline pumping fishing!
Introduction to Shark Fishing
With 5730 miles of coastline in the United States there is plenty of water for sharks to roam. Sharks are found along all coastline in the US, but Florida and gulf coast states see the majority of these magnificent creatures. The pacific coast has their share of sharks cruising the beaches but are generally the larger species including the Great White Shark. I would love to see you hook one of these guys from the beach and manage to land him on the beach.
Millions of people live within an hour of the coast line but few care about surf fishing, let alone beach shark fishing. Hundreds of thousands of people visit coastal regions for vacation every year and little know that shark fishing is even an option. Let's face the facts. There are more sharks on the beaches than anyone would care to recognize. You would be amazed at the number of sharks swimming among beach goers. What's important to remember is that sharks don't purposely bite people. We aren't a natural food source for them. The majority of bites you hear about on the news are caused by being at the right place at the wrong time. Let's say you're out swimming in the waves and below you a school of bait fish (shark bait) has just surrounded you. You don't know it but the 6ft Blacktip or Spinner shark was in the area and has just found its meal for the day. Unfortunately for you, you accidentally got bit!
Beach shark fishing is truly wonderful because you can enjoy the beach and all its beauty, and at the same time have the chance at experiencing one of the greatest creatures that roams the waters. Not to mention an adrenaline rush that is second to none. Keep reading this guide to learn about the best shark gear, the best locations to shark fish, what to use for shark bait, and how to catch and release one of these powerful beasts.
Have a tip or see something I missed? Want to ask a question? Just drop a quick comment below and I get back to you before your next big shark fishing trip.
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READ THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shark fishing is horrible. Gory and horrible. Sharks are on the brink of being extinct and all you can do is go on and on about how fun it is? At least RELEASE them once you catch them! Then, you’ll still be doing your hobby right? But you’ll be doing it in a more effective way. So please change your way right now. Please. Don’t you dare catch and kill another shark again, ya hear me?
You idiot. On the brink of extinction?? Site your facts please…
The majority of shark fishermen catch and release. You’re probably thinking of the shark finning that goes on in the Far East.
what the hell is wrong with you? are you some dumbass tree hugger? of course it is catch and release!!!!
Hello Ms. Sim,
This is a Pro- Catch & Release Forum.
Your opinion and concern is greatly appreciated!
Thank you
Krystal,
You should inform yourself before making outlandish, emotional outbursts. The object of sport fishing is exactly that, sport. We do not kill the fish we catch and certainly sharks are released. On the other hand, those mother f—— that comercially kill sharks just for their fins need to be bombed and sunk out at sea and then we will see how brave they are.
stfu !lady r u dumb or something
these people that are doing this kind of fishing always RELEASE THE SHARKS AFTER THEY CATCH THEM!!! i know this because i go fishing with many fishermen who love to catch sharks! and everythime we release them back into the sea!
Bite me bitch
i completely agree…sharks are endangered and to even harm them is not doing the world any good. there is loads of scientific evidence to prove this, so yes sharks should be left alone
Shark fishing is great fun. What better way to enjoy the beach and ocean. Sharks are magnificent creatures that deserve our utmost respect. And I must say they are quite tasty. They would eat me in the water, I’ll eat them on the land.
Hey look, I understand your concern of wild-life and what not but I have one thing to say about you little out burst… FUCK YOU.
I am going to be doing some shark fishing about the central east coast of Florida next week. I was wondering if the sharking is any good here during the winter time?
Head fo Juno beach , Singer island area . Jan-March the blacktips gather by the thousands , along the Fla east coast. They are just behind the waves , so you don’t have to cast out very far .
Just wondering…if you are chumming the waters close to shore doesn’t that make it kind of dangerous for nearby swimmers?
Land based sharkfisherman do not use chum. The sharks are already there. They use a piece of bait like the majority of surf fisherman. Have caught and released hundreds also tagged quite a few for reasch
I will be living in the Corpus Christi area this summer, and plan on doing as much shark fishing as possible. I have all the tackle needed, but I do not own a yak. If anyone who owns a yak needs a fishing buddy feel free to let me know.
It’s a bit of a drive, but I have a yak and I’m planning a trip next weekend to mcfadden beach in Port Arthur….let me know if you’re interested.
Well I won’t be down there for another month or so…I’ll probably have a yak by then though. Regardless if you would like to get some fishing in let me know. My e-mail is bauerspencer@hotmail.com. I’ll probably be fishing almost everyday.
shark fishing is cruel and wrong, to fish for somthing so endangered is heartless. Sharks are a very important part of the oceans ecosystems. Most of the shark species are on the endangered species list. Pleas refrain from making it look like a “cool” and fun thing to do. Pleas do not fish for sharks every animal deserves a chance.
You people are so cruel!
I would never hurt a shark
they are going endangered because of us 
:!::!::!: they have a hard enough time mating as it is because we are fishing them out.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t seem to understand why ppl are get so offended about shark fishing… listen up numbskulls! its a catch and release which most of us believe in. We catch for the rush and thrill and we release coz we love the species. We aint killing the shark.
Ash – Shark are not endangered. They are the fastest reproducers in the ocean. They are getting thin in and around Asian countries because of their value to that culture. Off the coasts of the USA they are growing in huge numbers as well as in many other areas worldwide. Being in the minority of stupid frickin people must be comforting to you since you openly express your ignorance.
No need to be such a dick to people who find your “hobby” somewhat barbaric, because it is, Sharks ARE in serious decline worldwide. And they are slow breeders compared to most fish so check your facts before you blowout all over someone.
You people are misguided in your disdain for shark fishermen. Most of us are the biggest conservationists you could ever know. Shark finning is the barbaric practice. Sportfisherman release almost all of the sharks they catch. Do some research before you paint us all as “cruel animal butchers”.
I agree with Dave and Jim.
C. Hooymans, you may have your heart in the right place…
But, these men and women who ‘sport fish’ DO mostly ‘catch & release’ style fishing.
And, there are better ways to get your point across.
Try asking questions about fishing, some of these ‘sport fishers’ might even find themselves siding with you on many of the important issues that you and many others are concerned with.
Who has more influence on “fishing trends”?
Are they not a part of the cycle themselves?
Many believe that taking the life of an animal brings you closer to that animal…and since I am a betting man, I am willing to wager that the information you may get from most ‘sport fishers’ is worthy of taking note of.
More money and research is spent on both research and general interest funded by these “cruel” people, to identify population declines, so that steps are taken to increase numbers of the breed. It is done for selfish reasons, oftentimes because people want to be able to continue to fish for that particular species.
But is does help more that you think.
Yes, there are a few bad apples here and there. There are also laws and fines in place to deal with them accordingly.
Finally, many of the issues we are concerned with are mostly due to commercial operations, which are greatly unregulated. Mainly off of the coasts of China, and Southeast Asia. Pollution is another major factor, don’t forget.
Some of the greatest, and toughest men and women in the history of the world were often, hunters, fisherman and conservationists. We wouldn’t have anything left in the United States or Europe if they hadn’t been!
The US is one of the most active countries working to create, and enforce laws to protect our coastlines, and oceans worldwide, look around online to see the thousands of outdoorsman/sportfishing groups and organizations, whose funding and activism has greatly influenced the world.
Two Ears, One Mouth — Opinions Vary, Do Your Research.
jim_-j no there not u frickin idiot do some research and you will find that every where people are killing sharks and there depleting as much as any where else stupid
I’ve been shark fishing for a while, mainly out of Va beach, Sandbridge, hatteras, and cape point. I am extremely big in shark fishing, but I do practice and believe in catch and release, although black tip is a very tasty meal! Did you know that when you are eating a fish sandwich from mcdonalds, you are eating black tip shark? For the equipment that I use and have had best results with is a shimano 30w lrs reel with a 5’5″shimano tallus rod lined with 50 lb. salt water sufix tangerine with a 30 foot 250 lb. stainless steel liter. It is not made for casting most of the time, the bait is kayaked out anywhere from 100-250 yards and preferance on bait would be mullet, bluefish, tuna heads and skirts. But my all time favorite is… spanish mackeral, live or chunked. Generally I use a 10/0-14/0 hook with a 14 oz. break away pyarmid sinker 5-8 ft. back from the bait so your bait will stay on the bottom so when tide changes or rip current decides to occur you will not run into the problem of slacking line or line drift. Another rod that I really enjoy using from the surf is a penn 14/0 lined with 100 lb. sufix salt water tangerine rigged the same way but double 14/0 hooks wired to the top of a tuna head but that’s only for the big boys. I have caught numerous mosterous blact tip sharks from pier and surf and bull sharks as well. If you have any questions you can email me at kingfisher29@verizon.net. Have fun, fish hard and may the sharks be with you.
Im going Folly island right outside Charleston South Carolina next week for a bachelor party and I am wondering how to catch some good size sharks. Last time I was there I caught a bunch little sharks all under a foot. I have a 10 foot penn rod and reel ready to go. Curious about what rigs to use and bait. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks
Hello all…..My name is Greg and im a local shark fisherman from carolina beach N.C. We catch some real monsters here there are some really big fish that come on shore during the summer months. We have caught black tips up to 150# plus and large Bulls and Tigers that would blow your mind…good fishing here so if your interested in some large fish let me know we can hook up and go im free anytime and love to catch a few a night. I work on a chater boat so bait isn’t a problem and like i said there are some real monsters here just looking for others who wanna go….let me know until then tight lines and good luck!!!!!!
The sharker….Greg
Sharkin in close…..I’d be interested in fishing with you. I went shark fishing for the first time last june. Caught some “nice” blacktip down in the St.Helena Sound in Beaufort, SC. After that, I was hooked, I went and bought 6.0 and 9.0 Penn Set-ups for this year. The only problem is… I’m still inexperienced. My email is brandon471803@yahoo.com
Well Brandon….looking to try and go next weekend if the weather is right, hopefully it will be…if your still interested in going give me a holler…if you let me know by e-mail and give me your# ill call you just bring your food and drink Ill have planty of bait and rigs…oh and you should bring your rods too….i have a few but in fishing for monsters you can never have enough tackel…anyways let me know if your up to it. Me and a buddy are gonna give it a shot hopefully they be here they were last year this time!!!
Tight lines….Greg
Whats up tight lines just got back from Hatteras we thought it was a little early to do some sharking. We orginally went for strippers and some ealry spring reds. Which we did hookup on some good strippers but that got boring. So I grabbed the yak and then went to Hatteras marina and got some fat albias and some tuna carcasses and then went yo work. well at first it was slow but when high tide came in it was on.We endedup with theree nice fish we hade 2 bulls and a sweet tiger. We had one bull that went 7’4″ and the other went 6″ the tiger went 8’2″ we got some awesome pics wen I figure out how to post them I will. Well if there is anybody that is in Hatteras the last week of May or who wantsto learn more about land based shark fishing email me at kingfisher29@verizon.net I have been shark fishing for about 13 years now out of VA beach and Cape Hatteras. And rather shark fish then eat be safe fish hard and may the sharks be with you.
President Obama will save the Shark!
Those poor little disenfranchised sharks…
HA,HA.HA SHARK FISHING WILL NEVER DIE. NOBODY IS KILLING SHARKS MOST OF US PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE.
Anyone surf fish @ Emerald Isle? Will be there the 30th looking for something instead of just the Pier. Any info would be very helpful.
Thanks
Thanks for puting together all the info on shark fishing. I normally fish for redfish/jacks/grouper/snapper/whatever…but thanks to your site I’ve had good success catching sharks from the beach. I have been using my fly rod to catch ladyfish for bait and it’s been a blast landing blacktips and sandbar sharks in the 3-5 foot range. can’t wait to land al larger one!(All that I’ve caught has been successfully released) Great website!
Harry
Is that pic of you? Thats a pretty large Mako.
Been fishing the surf in HHI for 20 years and never caught anything of substance, other than stingrays by the dozen. I’ll be there in 3 weeks and give the mullet a try. I’ve always just used squid.
just left hhi caught a 4ft lemon with squid. Had heck of a time trying to release
Where were you fishing?
Hello. I am going to Bob hall pier In port A. And i am trying to find some place to buy fresh Jacks or LadyFish. Can any one please tell me where i can find any? Or maybe how to catch my own. I have been there about 12 times and i haven’t had any real luck yet.
Thanks.
FAKE.YOU WOULD BE DEAD
I shark fish in P.C.B FL. we use a 12/0 reel with 150lb. power pro braided line, 14 ft. steel two hook leader, and a spider weight. The bait we use is king mackrel or bonito, while more expensive the king seems to be a more effective bait. Another trick we use, we will cover the bait with a womens panty hose, this helps to keep the crabs and small baitfish from devouring your bait. we use a kayak to paddle the bait out several hundred yards and drop it and then you wait. Our biggest to date was an 11 ft. mako. It is a ton of fun and lots of patience.
Thanks for the advive. I just caught a 19 ft mako yesturday
You are funny!
Ineresting blog you’ve aquired here.:)
Though there seems to be those who for whatever reasons have found it inspiring to set their rage upon the general bloggers with concerns of catching sharks from the beaches here in Texas.
My past experiances have not justified their comments. It seems most of them however well thought out their concerns are an accumilation of generalized misunderstandings as a whole. Surf fishing for any saltwater fish is FUN and can be as inexpensive or expensive as one cares to indulge in the sport.
Its not all about the catch, though many go for just that.
I’ve fished and camped with some interesting families who find the beaches in Texas very family friendly.
Surf fishing does not require chumming the fish, as is done often times from deep water fishing trips.
The fish and sharks occupy the same area of water as most swimmers do because its easier to catch food when your able to limit its exscape routes. The shore being a route most fish can not cross.
During the summer and fall months is normally a good time to try your hand at this sport. When the water temps average from 77 to 90 degree’s.
The higher the water temp. between these two sets of numbers the more active sharks become, So the more food they often hunt for food.
If the water is high enough to cover the fishes gills it will hunt in for food. Since most sharks are long and relatively slim it can get into waters you normally might find swimmers playing in, from 2ft. to 6ft. Most larger sharks however feed in waters from 6ft. to 16ft.
During the spawning season however lemon sharks will not feed as to not eat their own new borns.
They will lay along the sandbars holding their own against the current while they give birth.
At this time you can easily catch pups on shrimp/squid/and cut bait very close to shore.
The ones to do venture into deeper waters aren’t so fortunate, Due to the higher incidents of being food for hungry males.
The sand bars that many swimmers cross while swimming are like highways to fish and sharks alike.
Normally during the summers months to catch larger shark one would fish roughly 250 yards to 300 yards from shore.
Its not that the fishermen knowing endanger swimmers by fishing these waters as some fear.
Its the fact that the swimmers without knowledge place themselves in danger by their actions.
The fishing line though small, Has within its capacity not only to catch a fish but when exposed to the saltwater and sand has the potentual of becoming something akin to a knive when tenion is placed upon it by a fish and fisherman.
And since most fish including sharks use the surfs current to help break free from their hooks,
swimmers often become targets without the knowledge of the fishermen.
Until someone gets hurt.
lets say im fishing from the beach, how far out do i have to get the bait. does night and day make a difference
I have been using a 6oz weighted grouper rig with an added treble hook. attached to the top of the leader I had added a 20 oz bottle with glow sticks inside. the bottle keeps the bait off the bottom but allows it to stay in place and not so affected but the tide with the weight. the glow sticks have been great for us at night locating our line and positioning. Dead menhaden have been our primary source of bait but do catch the occasional blue and stick him on there.
Disgusting.
you’ll have to let go of the tree first!
sue you for what?
po hippys!
Try checking out the texas shark fishing site. It is all about fishing from the beaches. Look up Sea Wold and Sea Lion.That is my mate and I. Here in the Caribbean there is a small group of us who does the same thing. we use a small kayak to take the bait out between 150-300 yards. We then wait for the big ones. They only usually come in at night.
So far the biggest has been an almost 9 foot long lemon shark but we know that there are 4 meter sharks out there. We use a half a tarpon as bait or a big chunk of sting ray. The bait is usually in the region of 3lb – 8lb in weight.
Tight lines.
shark fishing is wrong if you kill sharks the second domminent species will take over but I dont mind people who catch and release sharks so please please as a shark lover do catch and release.
When are the people in this land going to “wake-up” and “grow-up”? The “thinning of the heard” has been going on since the dawn of time! Politicians put “Endangered Spiecies” status on Fish and Game so that when they are done arguing about what you and I are allowed to do “lawfully”, they can then hand out “special-permits” to their buddies for the sole purpose of their enjoyment! We’ve seen this with “Gators” and this will soon happen with “Jewfish”! Why bitch and moan until only the “politicians” and their “friends” and “Families” are the only ones allowed to fish for “SHARKS”?
Back to the subject at hand a “Live Ladyfish” Trolled on the top off of a bridge with an outgoing tide produces AWSOME results for Blacktip, Bullshark, Tiger shark, Baracuda and Tarpon! A fresh Vermilion Snapper will attract shark and stingray. Grunts make great bait and produce good results on top and the bottom depending on the particular application of your fishing environment. Get outside and Have Fun!
Beside the point, some “MORONS” don’t even have enough sense to release a “KILLER WHALE” even after it’s killed 3 times!
Most of the bad comments are most probaly for PETA and HSUS supporters.
I would like to know if a Penn 220 with 150lb braid is to small of a reel for shark fishing?
If anything, it’s too heavy. Use that heavy line and reel and the shark will come skipping across the water.
If you want to fish for monster sharks then it’s okay but from the surf, all you’ll need is a 3.0 or 4.0 reel or a medium spinning reel and a 7 or 8 foot rod. The five foot black tip I caught in the surf was caught on 12 pound test line with a 12 inch wire leader while fishing for bluefish in the surf.
hey i just moved to NC and i herd of people going shark fishing and i was wondering is there a site that says and shows what is needed and how to get set up for shark fishing if you would please tell me and once you get a shark on to shore what do you do to get the hook out of its mouth if i want to release it and is there any place that any1 knows around NC/SC border that is a good place to go fishing at and thanks for your help and there is some great info thank again
Uhhh. Before you start commenting on other people’s comments, you should learn to spell because you don’t sound very smart when you are insulting people and misspell the words. For example, “loose” and “lose” are completely different things smart person. Also, putting your message in all caps and insulting people is very inconsiderate.
THE HOLOCAUST DESERVED TO HAPPEN. FUCK YOU JEW FUCKS AND NIGGER SHITFACES.
Get Fucked idiot!!
i thought people were talkin about shark fishing off the surf?
I agree with using mullet head for bait had 6 or 7 foot blacktip launch out of the water with it!
St. George Island, Florida (Appalachicola area) I caught a five foot black tip which was hooked no more than 50 feet from the beach while fishing with cut bait for bluefish. It took about 30 minutes to subdue him and I released he back into the gulf. People kept telling me to kill it but I explained that sharks are a necessary part of the ecosystem and help keep the oceans clean. He was a beautiful animal and was unharmed upon release.
How’s the shark fishing and what’s the word out on fishing forshark on Surfside Bech in Freeport Texas
I’ve just got into fishing at the age of 38 do you believe it? have a 7′ MH 1-oz 15-50lb DAIWA BEEF STICK ROD WITH a OKUMA CLASSIC CL 300 REEL SOMETIMES ILL US MY PENN PEER .209 REEL ON THE ROD.and I have a 6’0″ medium (15-30lb.line) Shakespeare STURDY STIK ROD with a Shakespeare T20l0 reel. I got them both at ACADAMEY,ARE THEY GOOD E NUFF FOR ME TO USE ORSHOULD I LOOK 2 GET ANOTHER KIND OF ROD AND REEL SET UP? I DO MOST OF MY FISHING OFF THE BEACH @ surfside and off the jetties,I took it upon myself to get the 2 rod and reel sets I have because while at the jetties sometime. And on my other rods it would feel like I gota bitethenit feel like I was just hung on a rock,and id just be reeling my hart out at least trying to.and just when ima bout to reach for my blade to cut the line and re rigg. It just like a fish had itand spat it out,id reelit inwiththe hook and sinker intact,so I went with heavyer poles and lines,# 1 what causes that to happen and #2 agin are the rod and reels have now ok?
Please does n e 1 respond 2 this web page,ineed info asap,I’m raiseing 6 kids with a wife,I can’t afford to spend money playing the guess n game on rod and reels,my wife will alow me 2 spend some money on fishing gear #1 cause she see that I like it,and #2 I could b out doing all sorts of foolish things but I choose 2 spend all (not most) but all of my spare time with the kids,her and FISHING! GOD BLESS HER. SO PLEASE HELP ME OUT!
Here’s a tip – start using your kids as bait. Sharks really dig them, and it will instantly cut down on your bills.
And make sure you wear gloves. I suggest Trojans!
love your work all that you left out was i need to know the quickest way to kill it after its landed i know your all about catch and relese but just this once i want a good pair of shark jaws plz help S.O.S
shark fishing is wrong
You guys need to come to South africa and visit our Wild Coast. We often hook up to really big hammers, bull, ragged tooth and even great whites. This is off the beach/ rocks. Make the trip, it’s really worth while.
i will do what ever i want it is fun !!!!!
i don’t have any idea if anyone can help me, i am trying to find a guy Robert Collins, was a sharkfisherman on bob hall pier in the late 70′s early 1971, he was my first love and it’s been 40 yrs i would love to find him again…
Uh-oh….i caught a Tigershark once that had a swallowed a drivers license with that name on it….