Was looking for a new shark rig today. I wanted to get a nice rig that was already put together well. I went to dicks and found a rig with a 20/0 hook. Didn’t want a hook so big but the rest of the rig was well put together so I bought it thinking I would trade the hooks out. But I’ve been think is it to big? Or should trade it out for a smaller one? Will be using this rig for surf fishing only.
How large of a shark are you looking to catch? A gamakatsu heavy hook in 7/0 to 9/0 would work for a shark up to 150 lbs.Put it on a heavy wire leader and hang on.
i got a nice blacktip at SI freelining a horse mullet with a 16/0 circle hook. smaller hook will definately work for that size shark (5 feet) but was nice to have some hook exposed even after hooking the mullet through the back near the tail. yes a size 7/0 or 9/0 will work but its ultimately up to you. all i use is the single strand wire and make a 6ish foot leader around 100lbs. good luck!
This is what my surf shark rig is comprised of:
9/0 Owner Circle Hook
150 lb AFW Surlon Nyloan Coated 1X7 Steel leader (Nylon coated prevents kinking and just make for a better presentation, IMO)
150lb mono leader
Everything is crimped and connected with 200lb barrel swivels, and a barrel swivel clip for the weight is attached to the mono loop that is created by the crimp.
If you are casting baits you want to keep your leaders somewhat short, I’ve been fine with 2ft steel attached to 3ft mono. You really don’t need anything bigger unless you are kayaking out large baits.
Tried to upload image, but wouldn’t let me.
I have been doing the casted folded leader. 2 sections of 3 feet 250lb cable that I bought on ebay. (100 ft for 8 dollars) Put a swivel that can slide up and down your sinker line, which is tied to your main line. and looped to that at the crimp is your hook line. it hangs 3 feet and you can put your hook eye on your sputnik weight and cast easy. and when you catch something it pulls it through the trace and then you have 6 feet of cable leader. you will need 2.1 or 2.2 mm double copper crimps, and i used the cheap 8 dollar walmart crimper. I will try and post some images when I make some fresh rigs.
pm or email if you have questions. Jnail’s leader held up to his 5ft black tip posted here a few weeks ago, so his is also very reliable. I just landed a 40 inch redfish on mine, so the leader is not too thick to scare them away either.
Cheers
@Ohio, I could catch you on a 16/0 hook
@stan, are y’all still fishing on the weekends, how long do y’all fish for into the winter ??
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
We fish quite frequently. Mainly weekends, but we went for a few hours after work tonight from like 830-1230 with success. You can also find us on facebook our group is Charleston Shark Fishing or add me stanjwarren. Pm me or text me in regards to our weekends. I am actually about to post some of our upcoming fishing outings in the match up forum. We will be fishing year round, although a bit less frequent in the winter, and once a month plan on making trips to FL for the weekend and what not.
Alright man, I am on nights right now so it just depends on the weekend, you were probably the only person on the beach tonight based on how manys call I have recieved haha, I will add ya on a facebook
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
Stanjwarren, please post pics of your rig. I can’t quite see it. Sounds like a great idea. I have crimped many things but never fishing tackle. Any thing I need to know?
yeah, if you’re going to do a lot of surf fishing, particularly for big reds, sharks, etc invest in a good pair of crimping pliers and some basic rigging stuff (crimps, swivels, beads, sinker slides, etc) sized to match. I like to use the 7-strand black coated wire personally, I usually use 80# cause it tends to be easier to find, even a large shark isn’t likely to cut/break it if your rig is made right, and it handles easier than the really big stuff. You’ll never want a store-bought rig again once you learn how to make them!
I haven’t done much surf fishing in years, but I always made my rigs basically like stanjwarren describes. I always used the sinker slides with a nylon loop that rides on the leader and a big clip for the sinker, but a plain 'ol big snap swivel works just as well. I’ll see if I still have any laying around I can take a picture of.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
sorry to hijack here, but I think this is basically what stanjwarren is describing…
quote:
Originally posted by rbr311Stanjwarren, please post pics of your rig. I can’t quite see it. Sounds like a great idea. I have crimped many things but never fishing tackle. Any thing I need to know?
this is how I make my leaders for sharks and big reds:
This is an old one, I usually make them w/ 8/0 circle hooks now. (Also kind of small, sized more for reds than sharks but you get the idea)
This is how I rig it for casting, hard to see but the loop the hook is crimped to is purposefully a little large and it gets slipped onto one of the legs of the weight for casting.
When the bait hits the water, it pulls the hook off the weight. You can fling it a mile like this, and the weight/bait balance isn’t as important as with a long fixed leader. Have to be a little careful, and it will tangle occasionally, but works pretty good for me.
for crimping: buy a quality cup to cup crimper and double barrel crimps. Much stronger connection. look here for some basic info: http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/crimp_techniques.html
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Thanks for all the info. That is a great link. Where did you get that sinker?
quote:
Originally posted by rbr311Where did you get that sinker?
no telling… probably some tackle shop on the upper texas coast - I bet I’ve been lugging that thing across the country in my surf box for 10 years now! I have seen them in some of the tackle shops around here but don’t remember where offhand (probably haddrells, but can’t promise it.) They definitely seem to be harder to come by here than back in Tx.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
Going to buy some crimps now. Going to try this out. Thanks again for the info. Hopefully I can find that sinker some where.
I see these orange ball a lot. What is their purpose ?
I have a few of those weights. I got them from a basspro.
http://www.basspro.com/Offshore-Angler-Surf-Sinkers/product/46438/
Great link Wolfie. I just learned that I didn’t know what the heck I was doing when crimping. No wonder we’ve lost a few good ones to our(my) crimps. I need to keep this post away from my son!
Zane
Ill post mine tonight and links to cheap cable
quote:
Originally posted by rbr311I see these orange ball a lot. What is their purpose ?
they’re just plastic beads, you’ll find them in the rigging section with the crimps, leaders, etc. usually come in orange, clear is also pretty common. In this case, they keep the swivel from sliding over the crimp in the middle of the leader and help prevent tangling by keeping everything lined up right.
Angler 204 FX
Yamaha 150
I make my shark rigs pretty simple. 2 feet of 175lb. 7 strand wire or 124lb.(#10) single strand wire attatched to a 3 way swivel, and 3-5 feet of 200lb.+mono. Throw on your sinker and bait of choice and your ready to go!
I’m so salt life I sued google earth for giving away all of my fishing spot’s.