Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Saltwater Fishing For Sharks

By Jerry Collinsburg

Every sport there is has a category that is set aside for the extreme. Believe it or not, there are some that were not scared by the movie Jaws and they choose to seek out sharks instead of run from them. If you are so bold as to take on shark fishing, you should understand some basics before hitting the open waters.

If you are fishing in Florida, then you can hunt for sharks all year round. The deeper the water is, the better chance you have of landing a big shark. Big sharks can be found inshore, but there are not as many as there are in the deep waters of the Gulf or the Atlantic ocean.

Preparation is the key to shark fishing, make a checklist before you go and make sure you have everything that you will need. You will need a strong fishing rod and reel that can hold at least 50 pound test. You will also want to have a safety harness so you do not get pulled in the water and become bait yourself.

A good fishing rod to use is a fifty to eighty pound class rod. You should not forget your harness and safety straps. In addition, you want to remember your bait and chum, running chum is the most effective way to trap a shark so be prepared for a mess onboard.

It is important to know what type of shark you are wanting to fish. Different sharks swim at different levels and temperatures. In order to set a shark trap, you will have to tie your farthest bait off the bow rail with a flat line clip. Make sure that the line is out of the way and stay in the highest rocket holder on the particular side of the boat from which you are fishing.

As soon as you have waited and finally caught your first shark, you better be prepared. Sharks will have different temperaments and act according to their agitation. Some sharks have been known to slightly drag the bait before they swallow, while other sharks will run at the boat, run in the opposing direction from the boat, or come right up to the boat.

Once you have the shark up to the boat you have the option of landing it or setting it free. To land a shark you will need help, you can gaff the shark if it is not to big. If the shark is huge, you will have to rope the shark inland tied behind or beside the boat.

You should only keep a shark if you plan on eating it. Shark finning has depleted many and they are in danger of becoming extinct. Please help keep these predators alive by releasing the shark if you are not planning to eat it or hang it on your wall.

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