land based shark fishing

ok i got a long question here. Im about to start getting in to some big time shark fishing I was wantin to know everything before i just go out and buy some stuff i didn't need.

1. what kind of leader do y'all use. seven strand or single strand wire jay hook or circle what size and what kind of weight. Basically how do you do your rig.

2. What kind of reel and rod setup. I was thinking a penn senator 9/0 on either a penn international rod or something like that. what do y'all use?

3. I have a kayak so how far do I need to kayak out there with a bait?

4. What kind of bait? i heard about using sting rays, but what is yalls favorite?

5. Do i need to worry about boats coming by and cutting my line if my line is way out there I've seen some boats pretty close.

thanks so much for your time and i hope to be catching some big ones.

This is a big endeavor my friend. At one point in my late teens-early 20's I got heavily into land-based shark fishing and needlessly blew a lot of money that I didn't need to over the years. It doesn't cost a fortune to get into by any means, but there are some essential pieces of gear that improve your odds for safely and successfully beaching, dehooking and releasing a trophy shark from the beach.

1. For my yakked big baits my go-to leader is as follows: it starts with a 600# test barrel swivel double crimped to about 30' of 400lb mono, on the heavy mono I put a big snap swivel on to serve as my weight connection, the terminal end of the main leader is double crimped to a 600lb test longline snap to which I attach the bite leader. I make my bite leaders from roughly 6' of 480# 7x7 vinyl coated cable-I double crimp a loop to which you attach to the longline snap on one end and the other wears either an 18/0 or 20/0 Mustad 39960D tuna circle hook (which is currently the most common hook in land based big game shark fishing in the U.S.).

When I first started this venture about ten years ago my rig was easier and cheaper to put together and is still a great way to go that a lot of people use. I used a 350-400# barrel swivel crimped to 10' of 0.095" weedeater line for my main leader, crimped to the heaviest coastloack snap swivel I could find. The snap would hold both the weight and the proximal looped end of the bite leader (5' of 250# coated cable) with a double crimped 20/0 Mustad 3996D circle hook. The crimp size for the 0.095" weedeater line is 3/32" if I remember correctly.

I like a sliding leader setup when using large baits for the bigger sharks that I described first. I think that it allows a larger shark to "mouth" a larger bait for a few seconds longer before it feels the resistance of your weight prior to taking off, increasing the odds for a better hookset with the bigger bait involved. The second leader I described is of the "mousetrap" variety where the shark will feel the weight after picking up the bait and the sensation of resistance will cause the shark to bolt and set the hook almost on its own. You can research the differences until you're blue in the face and make your own decision, this is just what I have found works for us. As you can tell, leader making can get rather expensive quickly depending on how you adapt your rig to your fishing style and preferences. I would caution you to avoid "J" hooks at all costs when starting out shark fishing because it often results in gut-hooked fish that often end up dying and give those of us trying to be responsible shark anglers a bad reputation when you're left with a dead breeding aged shark on the sand.

2. A Penn Senator 115 (9/0) is an absolutely perfect reel for what you are wanting to do and is my favorite all-around LBSF reel. I also have a 6/0 wide 114HLW that goes to the beach with me each time sharks are on the agenda. The spools on the 10/0 were of the 3 piece design and often experience either spreading or complete failure of the brazed joints between the pieces. I love the 12/0 as a BIG shark reel-but with it comes a lot of extra weight, requires more line ($), the larger reel seat requires an 80# class rod or above for it to fit ($), and did I mention it's just plain heavy? 14/0 reels and above are for the dedicated trophy or tournament fishermen that have the time and money into targeting sharks in the 10'+ class. While they have a definite "cool factor" associated with them, I wouldn't buy one until you've decided that this is a sport you are going to stick with for the long run.

My 9/0 is matched with a Penn Mariner standup rod model 580CHST, 5'6" 50-100# line class with an aluminum gimbal (retails for around $90). I like short stand-up rods for the increased leverage you have on the fish, some prefer longer rods but there is no right/wrong answer. I would spool up with straight 60# Berkley Big Game mono, maybe with a 50 yard topshop of 80lb Big Game for abrasion resistance against seashells. Keep it simple. You don't need a millions yards of expensive super-braid to beach a 9' shark, contrary to popular belief. You will be spooled at some point-that's just part of the game and what great fish stories are made of.

3. Distance all depends on the beach. Some big scalloped hammers were brought to the sand last summer from within 100 yards of an AL beach. Long 200+ yard drops are common to see but rarely necessary. I drop farther in shallow water and closer in deep water. Wear your PFD at all times and be VERY CAREFUL with that giant circle hook-keep it behind you at all times so it won't catch you and drown you. Don't get between the kayak and the beach on the way in-I've almost broken my ankle more times than I am willing to admit from hopping out without thinking and having a wave heave that heavy kayak into my leg.

4. Bait depends on what baitfish are present and what they're feeding on. Rays are so popular because they're tough, last a long time on the hook, freeze well and not many fish will pick at a big ray other than a shark. Barracuda is my all-time favorite but can be difficult to reliably source locally. A big jack or slab of one makes for an excellent bait, as does a whole fresh dead 12"+ mullet or a bonito. Ladyfish put off a lot of blood but typically don't last for more than a couple hours with other fish and crabs eating their soft flesh.

5. Always a possibility but is rare. Shrimp boats cruise right on the bar at night as do the gill netters. Daytime cobia boats are bad about being close in the springtime. It doesn't happen often at all but is a risk you take.

Stuff that you NEED: a heavy dehooker that you know how to use-you don't want you hand Channel Locks close on a big fish; a tailrope to land your shark onto the beach; bolt cutters-for when the dehooker doesn't work (the key to survival is to minimize the time the shark is out of the water so do not waste time on a hook that is being difficult-cut it, snap a picture and it's back into the water); a fighting belt and harness-allows you to put a lot of pressure on a fish; tape measure to record length; most importantly-another set of hands. While it can be done solo, it is MUCH more dangerous and I don't like the idea of putting an unknown bystander at risk. People do it all the time, but it increases the odds for an accident at every step along the way from drowning in the surf trying to kayak a bait to being bitten while putting on the tailrope.

Good luck. There is a ton of resource material on the internet regarding this expanding sport, but the best way is to spend time with a group who has experience. Sometimes it is more fulfilling watching a newcomer land their first giant than it is to reel it in yourself. I have been bitten by the kayak bug and don't go shark fishing nearly as much as I once did, so I may have some gear for sale later this year.

Thank you so much dutch for your time i can't thank you enough. And if you do have some gear you would like to get rid of just pm me. again thanks so much its good to get advice from a local.

Would love to go shark fishing, but as a tourist, I also know you need some backup to beach one. Mama bear wife's natural reaction is to keep the kiddos and herself out of harms way. "You want to go shark fishing...you're on your own"! Unless anyone wants to help me...common sense prevails! LOL!

Is an aluminum reel seat REALLY required? I hate putting metal on rods, don't like how it feels. I will be making a uni-butt rod (TS63XXH Seeker is the blank I am looking at) I am one of southernfishin's team and I don't want to use my tuna rod do to the fact that it has roller guides on it.

Interesting discussion. Specially Thanks to Dutch who shared such detailed info regarding Land Based Shark Fishing. You really helped me to taken into consideration all important aspects before going for a fishing adventure. Thanks again! :)