So I will be fishing for bonnetheads in the folly river over the summer months. I think my best rig set up would be my main line (30 lb. mono) tied to a strong swivel, then #10 American fishing wire tied to the other side of the swivel with the haywire twist, then about a 7/0 circle hook with half of a blue crab tied to it. I would put the bait clicker on on my peen squall 20 levelwind on my medium heavy ugly stik tiger, and when a fish took it, I would engage the reel and let it tighten the line and hook itself. Is this the correct way to fish for them? I have developed this from what I have read and what you guys have told me. Thank you! Also, what hooks do you recommend?
PM Sharkie, your best bet I would think.
“The big one’s still swimming, let’s go.”
I think you’re over doing it, but that will surely work. 20lb line with a flouro leader will work fine. Those sharks are small and as long as you use a circle hook, they usually don’t pop a leader. They eat shrimp the best, but so does everything else, so that would be what I’d use for bait.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Ok, I think I’m all set then except for my hooks! What are the recommended hooks for these sharks?
A good #4 works for most things that may bite. Heavy enough for a shark or redfish but small enough for a flounder or trout.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
quote:is there a good possibility of me catching redfish in the folly river?
Originally posted by sulcatamanA good #4 works for most things that may bite. Heavy enough for a shark or redfish but small enough for a flounder or trout.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
Yes, in the same places the bonnetheads will hang out, but not with a steel leader. You should use flourocarbon and you will catch much more than just sharks.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
I second what tigerfin said. I use 60-80lb mono or flouro leader. The flouro is much more abrasion resistant but the price is kinda steep. When you get in to the heavier pound test lines it is hard to tie knots in it and the knots are bulky looking. You might have to use crimp on sleeves or learn to tie a snell knot to attach your hook. I like the snell knot myself. The inshore sharks I catch will rarely bite through 80lb mono and the benefit is that a bull red or black drum is still likely to bite it also.
Dorado II
Carolina Skiff 25DLV
What Dorado and tigerfin said. You can get a 55 yard spool of Berkley Big Game in 80# test for just a couple bucks pretty much anywhere. Shrimp and large finger mullet get the job done for me. Usually use heavy gauge owner 4\0 or 5\0 circle and 30# power pro on a spro swivel. Use beads between your swivel \ weight. Good luck!
Thank you very much everybody! I’m excited to put this info to use. Also, I’m aware of how to tie a snell, we use it here in the ohio river!
Top half of Carolina Rig:
20lb braid main line to 80lb mono/fluoro leader with Uni to Uni knot
Slide on a bead then 4oz Egg or Flat Egg weight a second bead then tie to swivel.
Bottom half of Carolina Rig:
80lb mono/fluoro leader snell knot to 7/0 or 8/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook.
Having a 2-3ft section of leader above the swivel allows the sinker to slide correctly and also helps keep the rig from twisting on it’s self.
No need for wire.
The beads on each side of the weight helps keep the weight sliding correctly.
Thanks! I guess everything is almost the same as fishing for the big flathead catfish here. I’m overwhelming myself too much
We always use a drop/chicken rig with 80lb mono with a large j-hook. The j-hook gets 'em in the side of the mouth and they can’t bite through the hook. Only times they cut off is if they manage to get the leader to cross to the other side of their mouth. Don’t use stainless hooks.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 19 year old (boy of leisure)
1 - 1 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
ECFC
I am now wondering about my main line. I will be casting from shore or docks with a penn squall 20 levelwind and an abu 6500 c3. Should I spool them with braid or mono? What # test? My rig is a Carolina with the main line to a swivel, then 80 lb. mono shelled to an 8/0 gama octopus circle hook. Also, should I be fishing it with the clicker on? For catfish we lock the reels down in the holders and let them tighten the lines and hook themselves. Could someone please explain the method of them biting / hooking them / landing them. I am a person who likes to be very prepared, as you see. I apologize for all of the questions!
One time I was paddling along the ICW at low tide and came across four or five bonnet heads finning and chasing bait in about a foot of water. I threw a gulp shrimp on a quarter ounce jig head directly tied to 10lb braid and was able to land it. Although going heavier may rule out the chance of breaking off, I do not think it is necessary and certainly is not as much fun as using a lighter rig. Good luck this summer. Hope you tear them up!
Connor Malark
braid 20lb main line is about all you really need from shore. If fishing a pier, might want 40lb to try and horse the fish off the pilings. Lighter line casts better.
I like braid, but use what you are most comfortable with. Everyone has their own way of doing it.
Drag should be set to fighting resistance, you don’t want to be adjusting the drag when fighting the fish. Don’t set the hook. Wait for the fish to pull drag then fight as usual.
Your outfits sound fine and nice choice I might add. I spool my med and large outfits with 20-25# P-line or Ande hi-vis. Mono or braid @ 20# will bring most all fish in. I use 10# on my inshore rods with 20# fluro leader. On a shark or big bait outfit it depends on what is holding your rod as how you set it. In a rod holder on a boat - yea lock it pretty tight - no worry. Circle hook will get ‘um. In a sand spike have the clicker on maybe snug drag enough for circle hook to work but, not so tight you might have to chase your rod when it gets snatched down while you are not looking. Key thing to sharks is the leader and not so much your line. It needs to be 2’ longer than the biggest one you might hook. They will chaff and ware the line down brushing against it. I only use 80# leader on a big shark rig and usually some wire next to the hook. I have got rubbed off with a 6’ x 60# once. Was chaffed above the swivel!! Went to 8’ x 80# on one and had coated braided 200# cable on another. That was off Westbrook Cr in N Edisto. Lost him twice - it got personal after that! He didn’t come back for thirds. Later caught a 5’+ ray that was about 6" thick that put a whooooping on me. My son wanted to gaff him. LOL. I had to tell him oh hell no. I cut him loose after I finally got him up and touched him. I like Owner Mutu hooks 7or 8 ought.
J Ford
Ok, I’m thinking mono because it’s easier to check for weak spots in the line and won’t break as easy when it rubs and scratches against anything that is in the water.