Thread: Shark Fishing Florida

I know that this isn't a Florida fishing forum, but though i'd give it a shot. Ive wanted to catch a shark for a while now. A couple years ago I bought all the stuff for it, including a Penn Senator 113H2; however I dont have a kayak, so never caught anything because I couldnt cast that rod and reel combo out far enough. I think im going to invest in a new spinning reel, and I'm leaning toward a Penn Pursuit II 6000 8' combo. What size sharks could I get with this? Were going to be staying in the Destin West Resort at the end of this month. Do you guys have any advice on the best way to catch sharks? Like times, location, baits, etc. The hotel has access to both the Choctawhatchee Bay as well as the regular beach. Any advice would be awesome!
Thanks for your time,
Ryan

For sharking I'd recommend a larger reel than the 6000, this where I'd tell someone to buy the 8000 every time.
I'd also recommend a reel with better drag washers than the Pursuit's oiled felt, something using HT-100's, or replace the felt with HT-100s.

From the pier or a boat the Penn Pursuit 6000 is going to reasonably handle most medium sized sharks (6'+/-) when spooled with it's rated mono line capacities 295/15 • 200/20 • 185/25, and maybe have a half a chance chance against something pushing 8' with heavier braid since you could then push it's max rated drag and

But fishing it in the surf is a whole other ballgame.

You don't really have enough line capacity to utilized braid with a long enough mono topshot to avoid chronic abrasion break offs.
So you're limited to mono, 20/200 ain't bad, you can sling baits as far as the bar in most spots and still have enough line to fight up to a 6' shark as long as he doesn't go due South at top speed.
If you're unlucky, and he does, you're gonna be spooled. But if he turns inside the bar you'd have a fighting chance.
As for anything under 6' you should be in for a fun fight.

Times:
Dawn/Dusk/Night
Incoming/Outgoing strong tidal flows

Location:
Gulf or Sound side beaches
Look for areas where the gut is deeper than other areas, breaks in the bar, places where the bar comes in close enough to wade out and cast over it. Passes, Channels, Points, Dropoffs and other structure.

Baits
Fresh as possible baits.
Big chunks of Ladyfish, Mullet, Bluefish, Spanish, and rays.
Smaller whole fish same as above.

Use a long shock leader, 20' of 40# or better for casting, avoids snapping your main line with heavier weights/baits.
Build some decent leaders, at least 4-5' long.
I use 7/0-16/0 circle hooks and up to 8oz spider weights.

A long dehooker is needed for your safety.
Bolt cutters or strong snips to cut hooks or leaders is nice to have.
A tailrope for larger sharks is strongly recommended.
And most of all a buddy or two, sharking is a team sport.



Lastly, learn to cast that 113H as it can be done.
With the right rod and practice you should be able to cast 50-75 yards, even a 100 yards.
It doesn't even need to be magged, just lubed properly.
Take it to a park with just a casting weight and practice, practice, practice.
LOL... Or just buy/rent a yak.l