Unique Shark Fishing Techniques

If you observe fifty different fishermen targeting sharks you will likely see fifty different techniques for catching them.

There is much more science to shark fishing than originally meets the eye. In the following paragraphs I will outline some tips for improving your catch rate.

Everyone knows that chumming and sharks go together like peanut butter and jelly. What you may not know however is what forms of chum work best. Through experience I have learned the best form of chum is a cut open Barracuda.

Barracuda are oily fish and a natural competitor to most species of shark. Simply put sharks cannot stand Barracuda, a fish that has a pungent and distinctive odor.

If you want to attract sharks cut open a Barracuda and hang it from the boat or pier you are fishing and wait about a half hour. If there are sharks in the area you will know quickly.

Live bait is your best option for catching sharks. Sharks have often been called garbage disposals because of their ability to eat just about anything.

In the final analysis it is live bait that works best to catch them. Freshly killed fish work better than previously frozen fish as well. You need to look at the shark much like you look at any other fish.

The hook is without a doubt a very important piece of equipment. When fishing for sharks I like to rig my bait with a very large, thick sharp hook. You need a sharp hook because the mouth of a shark is very difficult to penetrate.

You should sharpen your hooks each time after you fish to ensure their proper condition the next time you go out on the water. Also use hooks that have a thick shank. A fight with a large shark is often very long and grueling. Their mouths are very strong and when they roll over and over it can stress a hook greatly. Hooks with a thin shank are often straightened out which will result in the loss of the fish.

When using freshly cut fish for bait do not forget the head. I often see novice shark fishermen cut their bait into chunks and use nice white looking strips of meat. I once asked a fisherman why he removed the skin and used a white chunk of meat. He told me it looked nice. The problem is of course how it looks to the shark.

The best part of any cut fish is the head portion. Depending on the size of fish I like to cut the fish an inch or two behind the head and use that portion as bait. I have caught many more fish using the head section than a fillet. Don't think like a human and use what looks best in the pan. Think like a shark and select the bloody head portion of the fish to use for bait.

My preferred technique for fishing for sharks in water with light current goes against the grain of commonly accepted shark fishing principles. Most experienced shark fishermen insist on keeping their bait on the bottom. I have had much success free lining both live and cut bait while fishing for sharks.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on shark fishing here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/

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