4 Basic Rules For Reeling In Shark Like A Pro
go boldly
mercurymarine.com
written by james knicely
Sharks hold a special place in popular culture as one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And although they are (mostly) not the dangerous beasts that movies would make them out to be, sharks are still one of the top predators in the marine food chain. Naturally, this places them on the bucket list of many fishermen, especially those with limited (or infrequent) access to fishing waters commonly visited by sharks. In this episode of Saltwater Experience, Tom and Rich host special guest, and UFC champion, Matt Hughes and help him cross shark off his bucket list. Here are four basic rules they followed that set them up for a successful day with several sharks on the line.
“[We] got setup, and it did not take long for these sharks to start rolling in”
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“THE SECRET TO CHECKING A WHOLE BUNCH OF SPOTS REALLY FAST, IS THE BINOCULARS.”
1. Do the Prep Work
If you are not paying attention, you almost miss the fact that Tom and Rich spent at least as much time preparing for their day of fishing as they did actually casting for shark. Since Tom and Rich were hosting Matt Hughes, who was a complete novice when it comes to fishing for shark, they wanted to be sure to set up their day with the best chances of success. Their prep work began a whole day before, when Rich was out catching Barracuda to use for chum. Then, Matt, Tom, and Rich all set out in the early morning hours so they would have amp time to chum the waters in preparation for their day fishing. This set the stage for heavy shark activity in key areas they were hitting. It takes time and hard work, but setting that chum with the right kind of bait creates opportunities for an incredible shark fishing experience.
Are concerned about how long this will take you? You should be. It is no small amount of work to set up this level of preparation. However, catching the bait for chum is a labor of love for any fisherman; if you’re already planning on crossing some other catches off your list, then we recommend snagging the fish for your chum the day before. And, if you commit to having the right engine to move you along quickly (like the Mercury Verado 350 Tom & Rich use), then the time it takes to chum the water in the morning should be short and sweet.
“This scent from that Cuda is going out that way so any shark that’s traveling this way is gonna hit that, and come in, they can’t, they can’t resist it. They might not bite but they gotta come check it out.”
2. Read the Weather (and use it to your advantage)
If you’ve watched Saltwater Experience before, then you should know by now that not an episode goes by without Tom or Rich referencing the weather conditions and how that impacted their decisions. It is especially important when you chum the waters during your prep that you read the weather when you are out on the water (before and after). Knowing the effect of the tide and wind conditions will inform exactly where and when you can expect shark activity to come. Tom and Rich were able to interpret the weather conditions and use it specifically to know where and when to expect the most shark activity. From the moment they first set out with Matt, they started getting bites and it was a constant flow while they were out on the water. When you are planning your day on the water, be sure to know how the tide and weather conditions will impact your preparations; the forecast is never guaranteed so knowing when to make the right adjustments can make all the difference.
“I’m using this [rod] for almost everything now.”
3. Bring the Right Gear
When you are trying to cross shark fishing off your list, you may be tempted to skimp by with whatever you already own and hope it can hold up for a day. We definitely understand the temptation; buying new gear can get expensive, fast. But it is more expensive to end your day early (after the hours of preparation we mentioned) with a broken rod and nothing to show for it. This is why we always recommend gear that is durable and versatile. Maybe you don’t plan on fishing for shark many more times in the future, but chances are, if shark is on your bucket list, then it is accompanied by many other game fish that will require a similarly durable rod. There are plenty of options out there, but if you are looking for a place to start, we recommend the St. Croix Mojo Salt. It’s a good value for an incredibly durable rod, and it has a 5-year warranty, so you should have plenty of opportunities to put it to the test without the added stress.
Beyond just the right rod, don’t forget that sharks are feared for a reason: they have rows of razor-sharp teeth. Removing a hook from those beauties can get ugly if you don’t have the proper equipment. Make sure you bring gloves to protect your hands and a long reach fish hook remover for keeping out of harms way when you are removing hooks. It’s easy to forget, but forgoing these could quite literally mean forgoing some fingers in the future (as Rich nearly found out in this episode). Remember that sharks are not your usual fish, so you cannot assume that you will be ok with your usual gear.
“That one may take everything you got; he hasn’t stopped at all…”
4. Just Keep Reeling
So you’ve done the prep work, chummed the waters, timed the tides, positioned the boat, brought your protective equipment, and cast your line; now you finally have a shark on the other end. Maybe you’ve been reeling for 5 minutes and you’re starting to get a little tired, so you pause for a moment to take a rest. When you are reeling in shark, you’ll find they are big, strong, fighters. It is natural to want to take some brief pauses from reeling when you start to feel a little winded. However, doing so can be extremely detrimental to your chances of bringing in the shark. What seems like a small rest for you, is a major lifeline to the shark. Even the smallest of breaks may be all it needs to regain its energy and give another go at thrashing your line. When Tom and Rich were out with Matt, they had several sharks sever the line with their razor teeth. Regardless of what you do, you are going to lose some this way, but Tom pointed out to Matt (a former UFC champion) that you don’t give rest to an opponent when they start to fatigue, you keep pushing. In this case, you keep reeling. You’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point and the last hurdle that can hold many first-timers back, is their failure to keep constant, relentless pressure on the line. So keep reeling until that grey and white beauty is alongside the boat; when it finally is, you’ll be glad you did.
Tune in to Episode 5, Season 14 below to see how Matt Hughes performed during his first time fishing for shark, and to hear more about Matt’s incredible journey in his recovery from a devastating accident.
