Fishing Forecast

The big star of May is going to be the return of sharks. That’s right, May is when we start to see the blacktip, spinners, and blacknose sharks return along the panhandle. While we have been catching bulls and sandbars just shy of the second sandbar, May is when sharks move within casting distance.

This month, I will always have a rod rigged and ready to throw cut bait when I hit the beach. Whether a chunk of mullet or a butterflied blue runner, fresh bait will be the key to catching a decent shark from shore. I prefer a twelve-foot heavy, fast action rod like the Florida Surf Tackle’s Big ‘Un; this rod is rated 6-8 oz plus your bait. I pair that with an 8000 to 10000 size spinning reel, spooled with a few hundred yards of 80-pound braid. You will want a large reel for the higher drag rating and line capacity. A long fight can be detrimental for the shark and usually results from underrated gear. As an ethical angler, you want to be able to get the shark to shore quickly so as not to tire out the shark. This way, it can be released just as quickly and increase the odds of survivability, which is the most important thing if not planning to harvest the shark. As for rigs, you can make your own or purchase from the many rig makers that specialize in big game rigs. I like to use the castable three-foot Small Shark Rig by Rogue Reelz. These leaders are 480 pounds 7x7 stainless steel nylon coated wire with a sliding barrel swivel and a size 7/0 hook and will handle anything that may take your bait.

The most important thing you can do before shark fishing is to read up on the regulations. There is a required Shore Based Shark Fishing Course that must be completed here in Florida if you target sharks. You can find it on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s website (https://myfwc.com/fishing/ saltwater/recreational/sharks/). It covers harvestable and prohibited species, specific gear needed, and ethical practices when targeting sharks. My last tip when targeting sharks is to do it at night when the beaches are not crowded. While you will hook a shark during regular daytime surf fishing, it is not ethical to specifically target sharks on a crowded beach.