Sharks on SI

Saltwater Surf / Pier Fishing
1

Had a pretty good trip Sunday. Caught a bunch of whiting and blues, and a few baby sharks. I have been trying to nab a few of the bigger ones, but I always wind up catching babies. I’m not looking for Jaws because I’m not really rigged for it, but would love to catch something 3’ plus.

I was using a 3 foot 60 pound mono leader with a size 7 circle hook. I varied my baits between cut mullet, cut whiting, and finger mullet. Caught a bunch of small sharks on that, but didn’t bring in anything bigger.

Wondering what I’m doing wrong, does anyone have any ideas?

2

I would guess you need to get out a bit farther.

3

You just have to weed through the smaller ones, and as DParker suggested, get out a bit further.

Requiem Fishing

4

Bigger bait will help somewhat too. Other sharks work good for bait or go to a fish market and get some fish heads etc.

5

Also keep in mind that you will need a wire or cable bite leader attached to that mono leader.

Requiem Fishing

6

Mr Lucid, good advice from some smart folks if can try to cast just beyond breakers with bigger bait and make sure you examine your set up because its just a matter of time before you get what your looking for-may take a couple of trips. Then you will need plenty of 3o lb line, stout pole, and decent size reel to land those bigger fish. Sometimes can take hours before that happens you will get um if you want um, keep at and good luck sir.

7

Thanks for the good advice. I have gotten my line snapped by large fish, so I’m sure I’ve hooked something big and just not brought it in. All my reels are fairly large and have 30lb mono or braid. I will see about adding a wire leader. I have some that are 12" (used one of those last weekend actually). Is that long enough?

Also, when you say farther out, are you just referring to depth or actual distance from the shore? Where I was fishing was between 16 and Ft Moultrie. I waded a bit and it seems pretty deep. I looked up a depth chart and it looks like it stays between 8 and 10, until you hit a sandbar, and then drops off into the main channel.

Again, your advice is appreciated!

8

Bigger blacktips can be right in the breakers, get there at sunrise, and or sunset. We don’t have as many in the surf as in Florida, but we do have some. This time of the year we get alot of juvi blacktips which can be fun on 4000 sized tackle, and the fine tooth sharks will show up as well.
We are also getting good sized lemons and tigers now.
I explained on here in another thread how I make my leaders for sharks, check that out - it will help.

Requiem Fishing