Land Based Shark Fishing

[boice1971]

Hi guys, new to the site, been reading for a while though. I've went surf fishing for a few days once a year for about the past five years. Haven't really gotten too serious, the first four years I was just using my same rods / reels that I use at home in farm ponds. I now have two 9ft Cabela's Salt Striker / Whuppin' Stick combo's. Sometimes I do good, sometimes not, but it's something to do that takes me away from the hussle of everyday life.

This year I am going for five days to Nags Head and I have really been looking into shark fishing, watching videos, etc. Without a kayak to get it out far and without spending alot of money, what suggestions can you offer to catch a decent sized shark (4 footish). Mainly I just want the experience of fighting a shark into shore.

Thanks.

[GxneFishing]

Sharks are a nuisance they eat mullett, clams, bunker, bluefish, crabs just say everything put a chunk out off the beach and hold on. Its not a secret put out some bait and hold on nothing special except for some heavy line, drag control and a wire leader. Good luck on ur trip keep us posted

[boice1971]

That's pretty much what I've heard, and I've caught many 12" to maybe 14" sharks, but never any bigger. Come to think of it, I've never caught a striper in the salt either.

To add to the thread, what fish(that can be caught in the NC surf) put up the best fight?

[WoodyWoodchuck]

How us poor folks without kayaks handle it. Hit one of the marinas when the charter boats are coming in and score some fish heads. After dark, big ‘ol circle hook, reel with lots of line and a good drag, ~20’ heavy leader, wire next to the hook and a sinker enough to hold it. You don’t have to cast out far so don’t worry about that, just enough to get it into the first slough. We’ve had luck just slinging the bait out there by hand then reeling in the slack. I can’t cast a Penn 80W spooled with 80# line worth a darn.

Check the bait every 30 minutes or so, putting on fresh, cut up the old one a little and toss it out as chum. Make sure your drag is set right and the rod is in a sturdy holder. You’ll know when something picks up the bait! While waiting cast a small bait around for sea mullet, flounder and little sharks. Remember to bring a headlamp, long hook remover and a few band aids.

[StriperSniper508]

i cant imagine catching a huge fish from a kayak..thats crazy

[cobia_slayer]

Originally Posted by StriperSniper508

i cant imagine catching a huge fish from a kayak..thats crazy

The kayak is for taking the baits out further, although some people have a bigger pare than others and fish for marlin in the gulf.

boice197, for your other question, I'd have to say a drum or if you go further south, a jack or a cobia (it depends on a cobia, I've seen a 73lber hooked an gaffed in less than 10 minutes, but I had a 22lber that took 30minutes). I'd say your best bet would be a drum though, they were being caught in the surf almost all year this year, and I catch mine on light tackle (AF4000 20lb braid and a 7'6" MH rod). My biggest so far is 33" on that set up, believe me, for a small"ish" fish, they can fight.