Shark Fishing Methods

Methods Utilised To Catch Sharks

My basic technique comprises of fishing four rods. Either all four are float fished, or three are set up with floats and one fished under the boat on a shortish line, with a lead but no float. I wouldn�t recommend using any more than four rods at once and only then would I use four, if there are four men on the boat, because if we get a run, I want the other rods wound in out of harms way as soon as possible.

What baits to use to catch sharks ? Shark Fishing Methods and techniques

I have taken it that the drags on the reels have already been set so that when the lever is in strike position, the reel gives line smoothly when the rod�s in it�s battle curve. If in doubt, go for a slightly lighter setting, rather than one too heavy. The best way to do this is beforehand, on dry land, when you can tie onto something solid and walk backwards. If you can do this in private, it avoids much embarrassment � �Caught anything yet, Dad�?

The float fished rods are set at 10 yards, 20 yards and 30 yards depth at typically 20, 40 and 60 yards range behind the boat, with the shallowest fished bait being closest to the boat. A fourth float fished rod could be set to fish at 80 yards. Once the baits are out, set the lever drag so that it just holds the baits in position and engage the ratchet on the reel. Don�t forget to put the safety line on, unless you�re happy to risk �500 of tackle leaping overboard.

You should be in no doubt when you get a run, but the chances are you won�t see the float submerge. The first thing you�ll know is that the ratchet on the reel is sounding. This might vary from a steady click, click, to a full blown screech. Pick the rod up, take the ratchet off, put the reel in free spool (but be prepared to thumb the spool) and briefly take stock. If line is peeling steadily off the reel, I wouldn�t mess about for fear of a dropped run. Point the rod tip near the direction of travel, but not a direct line, so as to preserve a small amount of cushion and then slide the lever drag forward to the strike position. The line will pull tight and when it does, only then lift the rod. With luck the hook will now be set and the shark on!

If the fish has picked the bait up and run towards you, things are potentially trickier. In this instance, I would wind up the slack with the rod held flat as quickly as possible until I had caught up with the fish and the line was tight, then lift the rod as before. Once you have a hook up, get the other rods wound in and out of the way as soon as possible.

If the shark runs hard, let it, but keep an eye on the line left on the reel. The only likely cause for concern is the anchor rope. I have assumed that the skipper has anchored clear of any crab pot markers! If there are concerns over the anchor rope, it can be buoyed off, thrown overboard and collected later. We did this on my first shark and after 40 minutes, we�d drifted hundreds of yards from it. Unlike the first shark I caught, I�ve seen other porbeagle sharks come to the boat pretty quickly and apart from the usual antics under the boat; I would describe the fight as pretty ordinary. Lift a fish aboard that has been docile in the water and be prepared for fireworks on the deck though!

While the fish is being played, the other angler(s)/crew onboard should prepare everything. A clear and tidy deck space, unhooking equipment and pliers ready, tape measure and tags prepared, Camera on! Small porgies can be lifted aboard quite easily, but bigger fish are better tailed if they have to come aboard, as it will take more than one man to lift it.

When it�s your first ever shark, it is an incredibly exciting moment when you finally get it aboard, but we owe it to the shark not to mess about at this stage. The shark should be unhooked, measured, (tagged) and photographed as quickly as possible. If you can�t safely unhook a shark, cut the wire as close to the hook as you can. By behaving responsibly at this crucial stage, and quickly and safely returning the sharks we catch, we will all be helping to safeguard the future of this sport for others as well as ourselves.

Where To Target Sharks In The North Sea ?

Location of shark - Gosh, where do I start? I�ve done the needle in a haystack bit already!!! The first logical statement to make is that the shark must follow their food. That�s OK as far as it goes, but for us, fodder fish can mean mackerel and herring. It could also mean cod, ling, pollack and coalfish. In coastal areas, it could also include salmon and sea trout. These are the main species, but there are others that must be on the menu too. The starting point must therefore be to fish where you are confident there are plenty of fodder fish potentially available. Once you�ve chosen your mark, if you�re using chum, I don�t think you need to be right on the nail, but you need to be in the right general area, if that makes sense?

It�s no secret that so far, all the shark caught from Whitby have come from an offshore mark called �The Wall� during the mid to late summer period. It�s very easy to act like sheep in this situation and fish the same place, in the same way and at the same time. A trip to the Wall can only be undertaken on a good forecast and this usually, but not always, means a summer trip. The Wall can fish for cod over winter � so why not shark? We might just need to change our summer tactics and present baits near the seabed?

As in previous years, several porbeagle shark have been seen closer inshore at Whitby this year. The first sightings I heard of this year came in June on or around the 9 mile mark. The thing is though, for every shark spotted; many, many more must swim past undetected.

I would be quite happy experimenting in a range of locations. Who knows, I might help discover an even better mark? More sharking effort over rough ground marks, close to wrecks or even well inshore, could all yield surprises and possibly for more months of the year than we imagine possible at the moment?

To read More Please Click The Links Below

Article 1 - North East Shark Fishing

Article 2 - Shark Fishing Tackle

Article 3 - Organisation And Shark Fishing Bait.

Article 4 - Shark Fishing Techniques

Article 5 - The Future Of Shark Fishing