Went out this AM and came home with nothing but that’s only because I don’t know what to do with sharks. I was fishing live shrimp and hooked two sharks at once, One maybe 3’, the other a little under 4’.
I had two dilemmas…I don’t know my sharks and I don’t know the rules on which ones are legal to keep.
Second, I wasn’t sure just how I’d dispatch them and I was sure I didnt’ want them in the boat alive!
From online research, I’m pretty sure these were Bonnetheads and I see that I could have kept one.
My net can handle a 10lb red but isn’t big enough for these guys and so I tried to wear them out to the point of stupor. They both managed to bite thru the lines before that though.
So how would you experienced kayak fisherpersons deal with a 4’ shark?
We have had shark for many times for super. There are very strict limits on what you can keep - big fines also
The best shark to keep is the Atlantic Sharp Nose they are not considered a game fish so no size limit
Shark identification can be difficult so be sure which one you have
The only way to keep them is to hit them over the head a couple of times to knock them out - (IMPORTANT) you need to cut the head off right away and hang them over the side to bleed them out
Soak in buttermilk overnight and you will have some great eating
I’ve eaten shark before and enjoyed it. Marinated and grilled. I’d have put more effort into keeping the larger of the two if I knew it was a legal shark.
Capt Dave, I didn’t know about bleeding them, thanks. Buttermilk is an interesting tip too.
I saw a vid somewhere online about some researchers who documented a Killer Whale stunning a Great White by ramming it and then turning it upside down and holding it that way til it suffocated. Seems that sharks go into a comatose state when turned upside down… I’d have tried that if I knew about it!
I caught several sharks from my kayak this past …Biggest was a 4ft scalloped hammerhead…If u know how to handle them , u can pick them up and handle them like a regular fish…I usually grab them from the top side right behind the head area …To me, they are no different than any other fish with teeth…Keep the mouth away from u and try to keep pressure on them so they dont move all over the place and try to bite u…For bigger sharks, I either paddle over to shore and fight the fish so i can land them on shore or I will get them up to the boat, take a few pics if i have my camera and cut my line…My advice to you is just do what your comfortable doing…No need in doing something that will get you hurt…
If you do plan on keep them though,all sharks must be brought to land with head, tail and fins natural attached…But u do need to bleed them out as soon as u decide to keep them…
Let me give you a complete list for handling sharks you dsire to eat.
The only two species you can keep under 54" are Atlantic Shaprnose and the Bonnetheads. Both are very good eating, if handled properly immediately upon capture. Most other sharks you can keep have to be 54", and only a few of them are allowed too… So, most important, know how to tell the difference between a juvenile Blacktip and an Atlantic Sharpnose, before you even think of keeping one to take home. The fines are too exhorbitant to risk.
When you get a keeper Atlantic Sharnose or Bonnethead shark to the kayak, grab them firmly behind the jaws and turn upside down immediately. This will sedate them somewhat, not completely however.
Immediately cur the throat of the shark and allow them to bleed out. This is imperative, as it removes the uric acid from them, which can give a storng ammonia taste to the meat. Warning, this will be messy, as they bleed profusely, and this also has the potential of attracting a larger shark, like a Bull or Tiger, to your kayak… So, all feet, hands, etc in the yak at all times and for the next hour or so.
Remove entrails and gills. You can cut off the head, but keep it for positive ID if the Game Wardens should arrive, which is why I keep the head barely attached myself. After they have bled out, about 5 minutes, place them immediately on ice and cover with ice. Make sure your ice chest drains, or has a way to keep the water from soaking the fish, as this will ruin the meat. I use frozen plastic water bottles and blue ice, in place of ice for this purpose, as they do not let the fish soak in water, and are more than adequate for cooling them down quickly, which is the key.
You must skin the shark.
Like most fish, it is best served within hours of capture, and does not freeze well. They are great in soups, grilled, covered in batter and fried, sauteed or most other ways you prepare fish. Hint, do not overcook. Th
The information was sound and timely it turns out. Today my daughter wanted to go fishing so we put in a jonboat with electric motor for a short bit on Parrot Creek. Sure enough, another Bonnethead. This time I followed YTF’s instructions and we just finished tasting some of the shark. It was quite good. I’ll have the rest tonight with a gf and her parents who are coming in this evening.
Thanks again for the info!
The shark was caught on the falling tide and it belly was full of blue crab.
