Shark Fishing Guide: Shark Fishing Locations
As with all types of fishing you really have to go where the shark bait is. I was a weekend shark fisher so I was always having to catch my bait before I actually started fishing for sharks. If it took me 3 hours to catch bait the morale was low. Finding a beach near an inlet or by some sort of structure can do wonders for bait and sharks. Also find a power plant near the water. Power plants tend to cool their reactors with the ocean water and pump the warm water back into the ocean. The outlets are usually several hundred feet offshore but the bait and shark fishing is second to none. That’s why I drove 3 hours to fish in the Jensen Beach area.
One word of caution when it comes to finding your perfect shark fishing location. Fishing for sharks when there are 100 people around is a bad idea. Find a beach that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. If you do have to fish in a very populated area my suggestion would to be fish early in the morning or in the evening when the majority of people have left the water. The first time your line burns a little kid because a 6′ blacktip made a screaming run on you, you’ll thank me. If the shark you hook up with is larger than the tackle you’ll probably end up several hundred yards down the beach.
This next section of the shark fishing guide is really going to be work in progress since I’ve not fished in all the different areas of the country. If you are interested in contributing please contact me.
Florida Shark Fishing
I shark fished for nearly 5 years in the Central Florida area. This would include the Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and Cocoa Beach areas. I also checked out Monster Hole at Sebastian Inlet. Occasionally I would drive about 3 hours south to the Jensen Beach / Juno Beach area in hopes to hook up with a bull, tiger, or lemon shark. Unfortunately I wasn’t that lucky. It is also rumored that shark fishing in Key West is some of the best around. I’ve read stories of the great hammerheads tearing a 200lb tarpon to pieces.
If I had to make a suggestion on the best Florida shark fishing location I would recommend Ormond Beach. This beach is great for shark fishing because hardly anyone visits and fisherman own the beach in the morning. This is the beach where I caught my first 6′ blacktip and kayaked through a huge school of tarpon. Canaveral National Seashore (CNS) is also a great option for shark fishing as it is also not very populated. You’ll have to pay a $5 fee to get into the park, but you get restroom facilities. Also make sure you check the space shuttle launch schedule as the park is closed when it’s on the pad. I personally haven’t had much luck here, but have read many fishing reports saying that sharks frequent these waters.
Texas Shark Fishing
This is one of those sections where I could really use some help. What I do know is that the Galveston shark fishing is down right addictive. There are several Texas shark fishing charter captains out there who target sharks. Also the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) is home of some of the greatest Texas shark fishing I’ve ever seen. Just check out my Best Shark Fishing Picture EVER post to see just exactly what I’m talking about.
Shark Fishing up North
If you fish up north in the Montauk or New Jersey areas and would like to contribute please contact me.
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.
There was a tv show recently about a shark fishing tournament out of Key West, FL. I think there are a lot of charters down there that target sharks. I want to try it sometime.
Hi
Great site you have here. If you are interested in swopping links let me know.
http://www.xtremefishing.blogspot.com
I lived on Emerald Isle beach, NC, for several years and used to fish for shark in the surf. They are plentiful so there is little waiting with bait in the water after 7pm.
I frequently fished on the pier during late afternoon and used what was caught for shark bait that night. I don’t like the nasty shark smell but the fun of catching/releasing them makes it worhwhile. The kids really enjoy it too. Just be careful. Its easy to get impaled to a shark while trying to remove the hook. Always fish with at least one other person.
RPSGT88
Where did you do your surf fishing? Were you any where near the pier? (Bogue Inlet Pier) - I have been there for the past 2 years and have never seen anyone catch anything from the surf. I did hang a 5-6 footer from the pier but didn’t land it due to the time of day (too many people). Any additional information would be very helpful as I’m interested in Surf Fishing in NC as opposed to getting a Charter Boat. Thanks,
I live in Emerald isle as well and do some shark fishig from surf. If you wanna meet up sometime and do some fishing ill be glad too. Hit me up @ XazraelX1981@yahoo.com
i fish bolivar texas and high island, cow nose rays are my preferred bait,but live mullet about one to three pounds are best. i use 6/0 penn reels,with 50 pound mono, and 125# wind on leader , and single strand wire leader about 3 feet in length. kayak baits out, i fly texas flag,over jolly rogers!!! enjoying site!! thanks!
I live in Kill Devil Hill, N.C. and I am going to start shark fishing this summer. I just wanted to say thanks for all the good tips.
We SURF fish along the texas coast,, IN the 5′ and larger rang, High Island Bulls and BT. galveston side of SLP BT and a few bulls, surfside/SLP are real good for bull sharks, Matagorda good for BT/ bulls PINS anything goes from BT, lemons, tigers, mako’s ,Hammers.., there are also other types of sharks caught in these locations this is just what is mostly common..
http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/messageboard/index.php
Hey Dusty and everyone else….I need to know how far to kayak baits out? I fish in surfside and I know there are bulls and blacktips out there, just need to know how far they are. I got an Ocean Kayak and just bought a Penn 114H 6/0 and a Newell 440-5. Penn holds 475yrds of 50 lb test. Newell- 330 yrds of 50 lb. Can anyone help me????
i was wondering im gonna be fishing off the cheasapeake bay bridge tunnel and i wanted to know if there was any good shark fishing of the bridge also were could i get a hold of some wire leaders crimps and hooks
This is a great web site. I am looking for a good location to fish for shark in the clearwater or Tampa area. We will be fishing from shore or the skyway peir. Tanks for the great tips. And i look forward to hearing back from you.
hi,im trying to see sharks i live in clearwater and dont have a boat any ideas?
Hey, I just moved to Tampa and was wondering if you got any feedback on shark fishing locations in the area. I have a 20′ boat so am able to get off of the beach. Any help would be appreciated.
Y
I’m going to Panamaa City Beach, Florida during the week of 4th july and looking to go shark fishing. How is the shark fishing in panama city beach florida?
BillyK,
I used to fish about halfway up the beach towards Salter Path, about 1/2 mile south of the water tower across from 1540 Emerald Drive. I would always spray shark attractant scent on my bait so every shark within miles would arrive on-time!
The only way you can fish on Bogue inlet Pier and catch a shark is by using a Live Fish King Rig with a King Pass or drop rig (not rigged for catching shark). If they think you are sharkfishing they will take your fishing pass and kick you off the pier.
By the way, Captain Stacy’s Fishing Center in Morehead City (20 minutes north of your location) has a Saturday night “Sharkfishing” headboat trip that goes out from 7pm to 11:30pm. The boat does not go out very far. You use all their gear and basically fight a bunch of sharks for about 4 hours. That’s enough to tire out any reasonable person. There’s also no hot sun burning you up. You’re back in time to get some beer and sleep all night so the next day is not ruined!
RPSGT88
What size sharks were you landing @ Emerald Isle?
I have pulled 5-6′ footers and last night after that nor-easter we had we only caught babies 2-3′ waves were really rough for surf fishing. Gonna try our luck this weekend. I always fish with light tackle for bait fish always plenty around. It is great drums are in now too 60-70 pounders so you never know which one you will get but in the end there is always a great dinner coming your way. We love shark steaks. Clean white meat 1 back bone thats all. It does not matter if you fish day or night but night is best less people crowding you when that line screams. And it will. Gives me goose bumps thinking about it.
Is anyone shark fishing on Boca Chica beach and if so, any catches?
HI Rollin. If you dont recognize the name already I worked for you at PC. I would like to contact you in referance to this. e-mail would be fine. Good luck with the fishing. Maybe see you next spring.
I’m in Ormond Beach and would love to meet up with someone who knows what they’re doing. The only surf fishing I’ve done is up north, for Stripers mostly, no sharks.
Anybody around the area?
I what they call a pier hopper and a beach runner, all I want to do is shark fish, It’s not a hobby it’s an obession. I’m outta Colonial beach Va but fish faithfully in Va beach and hatterras, NC. My favorite location when kayaking bait for sharks off the beach is off of sandbars and deep guts that lie in it. Va beach and NC cape hatteras are the best shark fishing areas I have ever fished on the east coast. Cape point has been rated top surf fishing location on the east coast. Me and the guys are trying to start a shark fishing club off the east coast looking for people to help start it up with us. If you fish east coast and love the thrill of shark fishing email me at kingfisher29@verizon.net. There is nothing like the thrill of a big fat bloody tuna head in a gut of a sand bar, just sit back and listen to the drag peel. Have fun fish hard and may the sharks be with you.
Your right Bryan, Cape Hatteras is the best place for real big sharks! I’ve been sharkin for quite a few years and have hooked some sharks at the point that could not be stoped! I don’t use the big reels any more as with the new superlines like power pro it’s possable to catch 300 pound plus fish with smaller reels such as the tekota 800 and stand up rods. If your ever down this way stop by the outer banks pier, I’m usually out there on the weekends. Not shark fishing off course as its against the rules. Just “guppy fishing”! Sharkman
Good posts! Lets go charkin’!
I am looking for “head/party” boats for Shark in MA & R.I.. Any help will be appreciated, HOWEVER,
my wish for all is, ” TIGHT LINES AND SCREAMING REELS”
Going to coco beach last week in oct. Does anyone have recomendation for surf fishing or off shore for sharks? Email if you do nathan3065@yahoo.com thanks