Thread: Releasing Sharks from Pier?

So I know you can't land a shark on the Pier, but how do you release them if you do intentionally or unintentionally catch one other than walking them to the beach? Thinking for the most part, to big for a pier net to raise them and remove the hook, do you just cut the line and let that trail them until the hook dissolves? Just curious...

Most folks just pop them off. Not hard to do unless you are using some high test of that %&^@# braided stuff, and yeah, just let them trail the line---it's too much to wish for that it would kill them.

Yep, cut the line or pop them off.

Originally Posted by Haywire

Most folks just pop them off. Not hard to do unless you are using some high test of that %&^@# braided stuff, and yeah, just let them trail the line---it's too much to wish for that it would kill them.

As much as I respect your advice and knowledge Haywire, and not living near an ocean environment. I'm going out on a limb and saying that sharks play an integral part, mostly for the positive in the fish you catch. Leave sharks out of the equation, be it the Pier or oceans world wide we would be in serious trouble. They mainly prey on the weak of species to make the whole stronger and larger, making better breeding populations which benefits anglers. Just my 2 cents...

In the overall scheme of things, you are absolutely correct, but if you'd been with us on the pier trying to land what pitifully few kings were hooked, you might come around to my point of view.

If there was many Kings as sharks it would be different.

That being said, I see your point as well from a different perspective. The past several years up here in Wisconsin, the Whitetail population has been hit hard, partly because of weather and some mainly think because of growing wolf populations. Logically I know the wolf, with their place in the environment, keeps things in balance (or once did). Guess it's not right judge those who think we should kill sharks, when I would like to do the same with some of the wolves up here. Or at least reduce their impact.

What if you hook a small shark is it okay to bring them on the pier like any other fish?

Pretty sure this rule includes sharks of any size or type.

http://www.alapark.com/parks/pdfs/RulesAndRegulations.pdf

2.
Swimming, Fishing and Boating (220-5-.02)
2. (f) It shall be unlawful to fish for sharks or use any type of shark fishing gear on any Gulf State Park Public Beach or on the Gulf State Park Saltwater Fishing Pier. It shall be unlawful to land or to attempt to land any shark on any line originally cast from said State Park Pier or Beach.