shark fishing setup

Question
QUESTION: Hey Capn - I would be interested in your opinion on the setup below I'm considering for shark fishing from the beach in the panhandle of FL, mostly at night, but sometimes in the early mornings. The majority of sharks out on Cape San Blas are bulls, black tips and smaller hammerheads, along with the typical sandbar sharks.  Size is typically in the 3-6 foot range, but every once in a while you'll have the 8+ footer cruise through.   I received some of this setup as advice from a veteran fisherman that also is getting more and more into shark fishing from the beach, but would love to hear from someone in the biz.  I appreciate any insights that may help a new shark fisherman.  Thanks much,

John

PROPOSED SETUP

Penn 950SSm Spinning Reel
Ugly Stick, med-heavy, 7' Big water rod
80# braided power pro, about 500 yds on the reel
480# 49-strand cable leader (6-8 ft long)from AFW
Spro 300# swivels ( or even the Aussies swivels in heavier # ) between braid and leader
braid to swivel cxn using a double palomar knot
Owner Mutu or Mustad big game hooks - about 10/0 in size double crimped to end of 6-8' leader cable.

Some other folks are more partial to conventional reels and a bit more expensive rods, but i'm trying to keep my investment a bit lower getting into this.  I've also been told that since I won't be kayaking the bait out, but casting it out, that to use a conventional at night isn't the easiest thing to do.  









ANSWER: John-

I lOVE using spinning reels to target large fish species. It's very sporting and I use more spinning than conventional these days. It is more of a challenge.

I think your setup will be just fine.. The only thing I might change is the line. I would go with 100 pound braid, just in case. SpiderWire Invisibraid is probably the strongest and most abrasion resistant I have ever used.

The rest of the rig sounds just fine, only far heavier than we use for Bull Sharks here. If the Sharks you are targeting are 6-8 ft, you can go with 400 pound mono leader using a single wind on SPRO swivel so you can reel it through your guides and attach the SPRO straight to the braid. It will cast well, too.... 9-10' of leader will be fine. I like to use a double hook rig just in case. You can toothpick on a 10-16 OZ weight near the bottom of the leader, depending on current conditions and depth.

Let me know if you need more info. Thanks for your question and have a great time!

Capt. Richie Lott
http://www.richielottoutdoors.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks much for your reply!  A couple follow ups if you don't mind.  You mentioned that you use 400# monofilament for a leader with sharks.  Won't the shark cut right through that?  And what about if they wrap up in the mono during the fight, won't their rough skin cut the line if they tail whip or something?  I hear ya about the wind on swivel, but according to the sites I've been researching, the wind on ones are down in the 100-200# range...is that strong enough?  And what knot would you use to attach the swivels?  Palomar?  

As for a double hook, yes, I've seen that setup on many of the websites I've been looking at and will take your advice to use that setup.  

I was planning to make up 3 to 4 shark rigs in advance so I don't have to do it at night, just in case a shark somehow would break my leaders, but hopefully by going overkill that won't happen often.  Thanks again for your help Capt!

John


Answer
Hey Man... Sorry I didn't see your follow up remarks here. My apologies.

Yeah, you could use the wind-on 200 pound. But, your question about the 300-400 pound mono leader, the answer is no. I have not seen it happen many times where a shark will tail whip through 300-400 mono. We use it all the time and have for a very, very long time and I have not lost many fish on heavy mono.

About the Swivel. Yes, the polomar knot is perfect.

Richie Lott