I have a good bit of 40# single strand wire, and 65# fluorocarbon. I am heading to a secluded beach in MCVL tomorrow where I frequently hook decent reds, and probably 80-200# sharks, but I need a rig I can cast a chunk of ray wing, or mullet a good distance. What do you recommend for leader length and hook size for this type of weight class? I will likely double the 40# wire for a bite leader.
Thanks,
4-5’ of 400lb mono, crimped at one end for your swivel to main line, then attach the other end ( crimped ) to a big ball swivel & a coast lock ( for your weight ) - then attach your bite leader with a haywire twist. I use an Owner 8/0 Super Mutu for that size setup.
Really, 400# mono for an abrasion leader on that size shark? 7’ long rig? Seems hard to cast that very far, or at least for me. My mainline is 65# braid, would that not stand up to abrasion or tail whip? Forgive my ignorance. I usually just fish for reds from the surf, and hook a shark by accident, lost most of them with the exception to a 3’-4’ bonnethead landed hear or there.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I made a couple of rigs with what I had on hand, and may go buy some heavier supplies tonight. What I have now.
200# swivels to 5’ of 165# flouro, sliding sinker lock, to 250# swivel. double 40# single strand wire twisted to 8/0 circle hook. Attached to 400 yards of 65# braid.
I am not targeting any 10’-12’ sharks, just hoping to beach a 5’-6’ shark.
Will post pics/video if I have any luck.
Thanks,
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Rule of thumb is to make your leader at least the size of the shark you are targeting. A tail slap from a shark will cut through 65# braid like butter. Blacktips will jump when hooked alot of times and they will roll up your leader as well. That is the reason for he heavy mono.
Yes, it is hard to cast them without a 10+’ surf rod.
Just started shark fishing myself. Ive been told its overkill but i say its better to have too much than not at all. Here is what i used:
300+ yards of 80lbs braided line
5ft 400lbs mono
6oz pyramid weight
18inch #19 single strand wire
#16 Mustad Circle hook… all connected by 3/0 550-600lbs swivels.
(image below is a much smaller hook i rigged up before i knew what i was doing but cant remember the actual size, probably an 8/0 or 9/0)</font id=“red”>
Also check out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChAUj9kFXlA&list=PL242477F65B4389BA&index=5
Thanks for all the tips. I definitely need bigger hooks. I couldn’t keep smaller sharks off the 8/0 hook. Can’t believe they even got it in their mouth. Also, If I would have had a decent size on, I think they would have bit through the double 40# single strand. I didn’t realize how fragile that stuff is. Next time I will definitely step up my hardware. Thanks,
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115