Advertisement

Captain's Corner: Shark fishing can add excitement to any trip

 
Published July 1, 2017

Red snapper fishing remains steady in many depths shallower than 100 feet. We have been consistently catching our limit. Frozen sardines accompanied by an octopus tentacle seems to get the job done. After limiting out on snapper by midmorning, we found ourselves needing another fish to target. The answer was to go shark fishing. Fishing around the artificial reefs that dot our coastline can still produce some huge shark action. Bonito, probably the best shark bait you could ask for, can be seen for miles at the surface while they crash small baitfish. Often the water is frothing with the feeding frenzy caused as the bonitos ravage mouthfuls of baitfish in a single gulp. This past week we landed more than 50 sharks that were at least 6 feet long. Most were spinner sharks, but a few other species were in the mix. A large lemon shark was brought boatside a few days ago after eating one of our bonito offerings. These sharks are not as common as in years past, and it was an awesome sight to get to wrestle one boatside. The fish weighed about 300 pounds and was estimated to be more than 9 feet long. A lemon shark will have an oversized anal tail fin, almost matching the dorsal on its back in size. Anglers will often mistake one big lemon shark for two sharks since both dorsals cut through the surface at once.

Dave Mistretta captains Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.