| Those words say it all. Hunting the worlds oceans' most relentless predator strikes both fear and extreme exhilaration at the same time. This is a fish that'll test the mettle of any sports fisherman, whether it's a high jumping mako, a determined blue , or a deep diving thresher.
As with any fishing, you need the right stuff.
Pole: A medium action 6 - 7 foot, fiberglass pole able to handle 50 - 60 pound test line. A 7 ft. pole will help you reach over any outboard motors. A roller tip is preferred, but an all roller rod isn't necessary, unless you're going to use wind on cable wire leader. The butt should have slotted base to fit a fighting belt.
Reels: There are several reels available. Minimum of a 4/0, with probably a 6/0, the most common, up to 9/0, able to handle 15 - 25 lb. drag. 6/0's will handle 100+ lb. puppies. Penn is probably the most common. It should be able to handle atleast 500 yds. of 50 - 60 lb. test line. If you're surf fishing or the water is deeper than 500 yds., you'll need a reel with a wider spool. A couple of models will hold 850 yds. A good, smooth working drag is a must. Set the drag with a scale and the rod tip bent. If you're surf fishing, using 80 lb. test on a 50 reel, set the drag for the limit on the reel, not the line.
Line: 50 - 60 lb. test should be adequate. Some fishermen use 250 yds. of Dacron braided line for backing spliced to 250 yds. of 50 lb. test mono. That's because they'll only have to replace the mono because of fraying or whatever. The Dacron line will last several seasons. Splice them by sliding the mono into the braided line several feet, whipping, and gluing the mono entry point. Surf fishers may need 80 lb. test, because of wear and tear from the bottom.
Leader: The leader should be 3 - 4 ft. longer than the fish you're after. 10 - 12 ft.. lengths of piano wire are used by some fishermen, haywired on each end. They can kink, though, and eventually fail. Some crimp the hook to the cable, but a mako will keep biting and biting and biting and biting, possibly biting through or weakening it enough to break. The best is a 5 ft. #14(250#) - #18(350#) wire attached to 10 - 12 ft. of braided cable. A wire smaller than #14 will cut into the fish if he rolls up on it. The shorter wire won't kink, and it's harder to bite the cable. The safest is a wire wind-on leader. They can be purchased and allow you to reel the fish in to the solid metal leader. You can also make your own.
Hooks: you'll need some 10/0 and 12/0 hooks. The heavier the better. Sharks are fierce fighters, and can straighten out thin hooks.
Floats: the most common float is the latex balloon. Some guys, and gals, use different colors so they'll know which line hit and are easier to see on the water. A latex balloon will breakdown in the ocean or in a sea creatures gut, ergo, they don't harm the environment. Mylar doesn't breakdown. There are also styrofoam floats available.
Weights: 2 - 8 oz. Depends.
Gaff: It's used to hold on to the fish. There's a fly gaff, one with a removable handle and a rope tied on. Hook the fish, remove the handle, and hang on. Pay attention, the gaff can pullout and came flying back at you. There is also the straight handled gaff. Most have a loop attached to the hook to tie on a rope.
Harness and Fighting Belt: It's a good idea to have 2 on board. Some have pivoting sockets for the butt of the rod to fit into.
Wire Cutters: Get a good pair or two, incase one pair is dropped. The wire is very hard, and with a thrashing shark, it's best to get the job done quickly.
Chum: there are 2 basic kinds. Mackerel and bunker (menhaden). They are both oily fish and leave a good slick. It is usually purchased frozen in cans. Just tie them off and drag them in the water or put it in a 5 gal. plastic bucket with a lot of holes in it.
Bait: Mostly bluefish, mackerel, Bonita, and squid. Live or fillets. Cut tapered fillets 3" wide about a foot long. Sandwich a squid between 2 fillets.
SAFETY: Always have 3 people in the boat. It's to hard to handle the boat, reel, gaff, and everything else with just two people. Any seasickness meds. should be started the day before.
Related Articles:
|
