Florida shark fishing?

[Valkyrie]

Hey everyone, kinda new here. I've been shark fishing here in NJ since in diapers. Recently my family sold our 37 Bertram and that all stopped. I've since purchased and restored the boat in my signature. My family is looking to move to florida but are unsure of which coast. My question is: Is there a shark fishery on either coast that my boat is capable of handling? Here we must travel 50 to 100 miles for good shark fishing but from what I've read, things happen a little closer to home down there. I would like to dock my boat down there til a decision is made but have no idea where to start. What species are found down there and how close to shore? I've won several tournaments and landed makos over 500 lbs, so its just the trip out that will hold me back. Thankyou soo much for any help, this is a huge deal to me

[Venice Tunaman]

the shark fishery is pretty good such as bull sharks, hammerheads and such on the reef. Makos and threshers are tough, but I dont think people properly fish them.

We run into sharks on our kite baits all the time, i'm sure they are there if you fish for them.

Good luck

[V-Tuna]

Originally Posted by Valkyrie

Hey everyone, kinda new here. I've been shark fishing here in NJ since in diapers. Recently my family sold our 37 Bertram and that all stopped. I've since purchased and restored the boat in my signature. My family is looking to move to florida but are unsure of which coast. My question is: Is there a shark fishery on either coast that my boat is capable of handling? Here we must travel 50 to 100 miles for good shark fishing but from what I've read, things happen a little closer to home down there. I would like to dock my boat down there til a decision is made but have no idea where to start. What species are found down there and how close to shore? I've won several tournaments and landed makos over 500 lbs, so its just the trip out that will hold me back. Thankyou soo much for any help, this is a huge deal to me

Hey Valkyrie.........I live here in Garibaldi Oregon.I'm a tuna catching fool.(Abacore)I see thresher shark out there at times.And alout of blues.I Would like to start hooking some of those big boys.I use a Ugly stick 20/50 rod.And a Penn Graph-lite two speed reel.(20 Class)With 30lb Braided line.Would this combo be good enough for the big boys.If not could you please get me dialed in on what will work.Thanks for any info.

[Valkyrie]

Alot of ppl use smaller setups like that most sharks excluding large makos etc. We did alot of tournament fishing and always stuck to penn international 50W's loaded with 80 mono or dacron. Alot of time while on the drift, line is laid out by hand. Braids can kinda hurt :shock: If your not planning on fighting large makos, tigers and whites, you should be ok with that setup. I'm not fimiliar with that rods backbone honestly tho, you really wanna be able to "pump" the fish up. But then again with braided I guess you would want some give too. I would recomend a nice length of mono as a shock. We use about 10 ft of heavy wire leader (single strand) and enough double line to get a wrap or 2 on the reel during landing. I can point ya to alot basic articles if ya need em I'm sure. 2 things to remember: Makos jump, I don't mean like a sailfish. I mean like 500 lbs of very unhappy fish 10 feet straight out of the water (unfortunately sometimes directly into you cockpit). And always remember never to bring a live shark abourd. Also worth mentioning is that most sharks can bite their own tail. If your holding his tail, he's gotta shot at ya.

I used to use a small penn jigmaster with 30# test for fun with smaller fish (under 200 lbs). Caught plenty of blues, browns, even some small makos with it. Be sure to check the IGFA rules on leader length etc, ya never know when you might run into something worth weighing in. Alot will also depend on your boat. Small center consoles are better suited to stand up tackle, such as your own. We had a large sportfish and during tourns the angler was always strapped into the chair. I know alot fisherman who fish purely for sport use 30 lb setups for shark, so it definately can be done. Take a look at the record book under 30# test and check out some of the weights. Altho, if targeting sharks specifically, I would keep a "big gun" around in case ya need it. Most times whilst chumming you will see your adversary before ever hooking it. Hope that was of some help, I'll be around should have any other question.... catchemup!

[Valkyrie]

I just noticed I have some old articles laying around from Salwater fisherman etc. I would have to look but I'm sure there was one about light tacke small boat sharking. If you have high speed dsl or cable I could easily scan and email them or just copy em and send them to ya regular snail mail. No big deal if ya want them, lemme know

[quack quack]

East coast from Jupiter to keys. More sharks than on the west coast of florida {my opinion}. Plus the fishing is alot closer in. I have not heard about many makos and threshers caught over there. On the east coast you have more fishing options on any given day. Sails,swords,shark,king,dolphin,wahoo,tuna,snook,t arpon and all the bottom fishing you can handle.As an added bonus the Islands are only 50 to 70 miles away. Good luck with everything.

[V-Tuna]

Originally Posted by Valkyrie

Alot of ppl use smaller setups like that most sharks excluding large makos etc. We did alot of tournament fishing and always stuck to penn international 50W's loaded with 80 mono or dacron. Alot of time while on the drift, line is laid out by hand. Braids can kinda hurt :shock: If your not planning on fighting large makos, tigers and whites, you should be ok with that setup. I'm not fimiliar with that rods backbone honestly tho, you really wanna be able to "pump" the fish up. But then again with braided I guess you would want some give too. I would recomend a nice length of mono as a shock. We use about 10 ft of heavy wire leader (single strand) and enough double line to get a wrap or 2 on the reel during landing. I can point ya to alot basic articles if ya need em I'm sure. 2 things to remember: Makos jump, I don't mean like a sailfish. I mean like 500 lbs of very unhappy fish 10 feet straight out of the water (unfortunately sometimes directly into you cockpit). And always remember never to bring a live shark abourd. Also worth mentioning is that most sharks can bite their own tail. If your holding his tail, he's gotta shot at ya.

I used to use a small penn jigmaster with 30# test for fun with smaller fish (under 200 lbs). Caught plenty of blues, browns, even some small makos with it. Be sure to check the IGFA rules on leader length etc, ya never know when you might run into something worth weighing in. Alot will also depend on your boat. Small center consoles are better suited to stand up tackle, such as your own. We had a large sportfish and during tourns the angler was always strapped into the chair. I know alot fisherman who fish purely for sport use 30 lb setups for shark, so it definately can be done. Take a look at the record book under 30# test and check out some of the weights. Altho, if targeting sharks specifically, I would keep a "big gun" around in case ya need it. Most times whilst chumming you will see your adversary before ever hooking it. Hope that was of some help, I'll be around should have any other question.... catchemup!

I have a 28ft uniflite salty dog boat.I have a fighting chair.And Harnest for tuna.I'll have to get one for shark.I think I'm going to give what I have a try.If worst comes to worst.I'll just upgrade.(Oh good point)I allways have a 20g shotgun on board.The blues i have seen out here are averageing 3 to 4 foot.I have seen some around 6 to 7 but not very often.The threashers are much bigger.Around 7to8 foot.But nothing much bigger then that around here.But you are right.You never know what the hell will come around.I can all my tuna.I'll just sport the Blues.And I heard the thresher are good eating.(HUM)Is there any special care on cleaning and preparing them for the dinner table.?We only have tuna tournaments around here.Come to think of it.I never here of anybody going or catching shark.Around here is chinook salmon and halibut.As well as rock fish.Salmon is big time around here.I just long line them.But don't get me wrong.Sport fishing salmon is great.But sport fishing tuna is even more of a blast.The albacore are running about a 20lb average.But those babe's let you know there there.We don't get very meany yellow or blue tuna around here.There have been some yellow caught.But very rarely.Allright I better jump off here.Oh and yes i have DSL internet