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About Capt. Richie Lott
Expertise
As a native fishing guide on the Georgia Coast for 20 years, I can answer any questions you might have about saltwater fishing in Georgia. Backwater, inshore, nearshore and offshore. Also, I have experience in the Florida Keys trolling and bottom fishing, especially in the Islamorada area.

Experience
Over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia Coastal Waters.

Organizations
St. Simons Boating and Fishing Club, Saint Simons Sport Fishing Club, Hickory Bluff Boating Club, Inshore Fishing Association, Southern Kingfish Association

Publications
Angler Magazine, Land Big Fish, CyberAngler, Coastal Outdoors Magazine, Finclix, Redfish magazine and more.

Education/Credentials
Fully Sponsored by; Penn Reels & Shakespeare Fishing Tackle. Currently Holds: USCG Licensed Master Captain (Issue 4)

Awards and Honors
(2) First Place Finishes (SFFA Bull Redfish Tournaments in GA), 1st 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Pro IFA Redfish Tournaments, 4 top Ten finshes in Golden Isles Kingfish Tournaments, Most Redfish in Celebrity Classic, President of the one and only Coastal Georgia Tarpon Tournament, 1st place in local Guide Fall Bull Redfish Classic 3 years running with tally over 150 Bull reds per season.

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Fishing > Saltwater Fishing > shark fishing setup

Saltwater Fishing - shark fishing setup

Expert: Capt. Richie Lott - 10/26/2009

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

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