Greenjeans

Planning on trying some Shark Fishing from Fort McCrae area next weekend. I have a few 7/0 hooks and some 40 lb test line with 3 foot45lbwire leaders. Wondering if I need to upgrade that to 50 or so braided and and a longer and stronger leader.

Additional Questions

Whats the best hook size?

Is is better to float the bait out 60 yds or so?

Whats the best bait and where would you recommend I get it?

Thanks,

Dave

bullmaster

I like to use leaders that are at least5 -6 foot long and at least 150lb test for the smaller sharks.My favorite bait is a whole bonita but hardtails and ladyfish work great too.If using circle hooks I like a 16/0,if j hooks I like at least a 10/0.Good luck!

Greenjeans

Thanks Bullmaster. I am currently doing a bit of research on it on google. Do you buy your bonito at the local fish market or are they easy to catch? The website I was looking at earlier recommended running the leader through the baits mouth and tying twine or spot ties around the bait to keep it from falling apart. Is that necessary?

I was thinking of getting some of the power pro 50 lb test line and good leader..I am using an older spinning reel that will hold about 200 yds of 50 lb mono so I figured I should go with the smaller diameter braided.

GoVols

Greenjeans,

I used a 3 foot 108lb Malin wire leader with 7/0 Gamakatsu circle hooks rigged with a lady fish head for the shark in the pic. I caught some ladyfish, then cut them in half at midpoint for bait. I ran the hook through the gills, brought the hook out and ran it through the body twice. I did not use any zip ties or thread to support the bait. I waded out 30 yards and made a 40 yard cast about 6:00amto catch this Blacktip. If you plan to float your bait out with a kayak, than you might need bigger gear, but from the surk my 50 P Line braid and 3ft 108lb Malin wire leader with 7/0 Gamakatsu hook with 3oz pyramid sinker was successful. I hope this helps. BTW, catch some ladyfish or any indigenous fish off the surf on light tackle and use that for bait if you can.

true-king

That must be one huge spinning reel! The 50 pound braid would be a good choice.Are you casting or yaking your baits out?

jaceboat

dang what type of reel is it?

Greenjeans

Correction on that line capacity.. I looked at it wrong. Its an old Olympic 5070 with a big surf rod on it. My Neighbor who moved away and had not been fishing in 20 years or so gave it to me. I just checked it again and its 90 yds of capacity at 50 lbs. I also have a Penn 309 that I have caught numerous Bull Reds on with 30 lb test line.

Over the past few years I have neglected my fishing and been more into deer hunting but then I made the mistake of coming on this site. You have have given me the fever again. I know I need to upgrade my equiptment if I am going to get serious about it.

Went to church this morn and then to Acadamy. Got some frozen squid and headed to Garcon Bridge boat ramp. When I got there it was lightnening some of the worse I have ever seen. Waited an hour for it to pass and it didnt. Then my son and I drove to Archie Glover and it was still lightening. Cast the bait net twice and caught what looked like two tiny puffer fish.

Headed north back to Jim Fish camp and another storm was moving in from the Alabama Area. Decided it wasnt meant to be today. Came back home and worked on my lawnmower till dark. Next Sunday night I am going to give the shark fishing a try. I might need to buy one of those nicer Penns between now and then.

Have a great week and thanks for the advice guys. Much appreciated.:usaflag

booyahfishing

I have been shark fishing recently and didn't use nearly as much test as most everyone posted here... I have a 9 ft shakespeare rod that has a max limit of 40 lb, my line is only 30 lb test and my reel is also only for 30 lb test... we used steel leaders with 80 lb test,not sure the size of the hook.. however, sharks will bite anything bloody out there... this last week we went and had hopes of catching ladyfish and hardtail as bait, but we were unable to do so. luckily, one of the guys bought 3 mullets from the local fish market and we just chopped those up and used them... we caught 2 5' footers.... its probably safer to go with the stronger test, but if you arejust starting, lighter test will do fine.

konz

In my opinion, the length of leader and size of hook depends on how you are going to be fishing. If from a boat or kayaking bait out, I use longer heavy wire leaders. If casting from shore, I use a shorter leader with a heavy mono shock leader.

Greenjeans

I am going to be camping out at Fort McRae on Sunday night. If I were to walk around more towards the Johnson Beach side do you think I would have any luck with the bait not washing ashore?

I was thinking of casting out near the jettys but with the fast current in that area it might just wash a 3 or 4 oz weight onshore.

I am a newbie to this and will need to upgrade from my older spinning reels and the Penn 309 that I have but I figure maybe I can catch something for a start.