MANUEL Z ON SHARK FISHING

I'm not much of a "SHARK FISHERMAN" although I have fished for sharks. Much of this information is taken from Trial and error, Researching and comparing many different views on the subject, 90 % of this information is simple common sense!

BAIT:
I prefer freshly caught Mullet, Jack Crevalle, Croaker, whole stingray or Whiting (preferred). Any fresh (not frozen or rotten) cut bait will work, including the leftovers from your previous day's catch/supper (do not use GAMEFISH for bait!). Chop up some mullet or whatever bait you plan to use and toss the pieces into the water "Chumming" wherever you plan to drop your bait(s) (If you're swimming baits out try not to splash, you could be mistaken for a thrashing fish.). Make sure to freshen the scent every hour or so with a few more pieces of chum. Keep the chum in small bits to attract the Sharks not feed them. We want them to eat the bait not the chum.

TERMINAL TACKLE:
A single, sharp 6/0 to 9/0 TUNA hook will catch plenty of sharks, I normally fish the surf with a short 3 foot long "RAY'S REDFISH LEADER" which usually will withstand the punishment of a 3 to 5 foot shark taking a bait intended for other game fish. If you prefer to make your own Shark leader, here is an idea for a Shark Leader it is a universal cable or heavy monofilament leader pictured and described below.

Note: You can cut this leader in the middle and reconnect the 2 pieces with a heavy duty swivel replacing the bottom stop with a heavy bead (If you use this method, make it at least 6 feet long).

MANUEL Z's SHARK RIG

On one end there is a swivel or loop Tie your line to the swivel if it has one or tie a swivel to your line and snap it in the loop (depends on the leader). This swivel is connected to a plastic coated 4 to 6 Ft. Wire cable, A little over half way down, there is a stop which is used to stop the (sliding) Swivel which is holding a "Spider Weight". On the end is a 7/0 Wide gapped Hook.

This leader is tied directly to a 50 to 80 pound mono shock leader using a uni-knot I have the shock leader tied to my main line which is usually 20 pound mono line (Sometimes I use 30 pound line on larger capacity reels). You'll have to use smaller lines for reels with a levelwind because the shock leader knot will not pass through.

SET UP:
Bait up a couple of rods with the same fish you are chumming with half a fresh Mullet, whole Croaker, whole or cut stingray over 10 pounds or a whiting with the tail cut off. Cast the baits in the area you were chumming. (preferably cast down current so the sharks will find your bait first) the reason for this is because when a Shark or any other fish picks up the scent they will swim against the current following the chum line to get to your bait. Usually, if there are any sharks in the area, you shouldn't have to wait more than 30 minutes to an hour before the action starts. if you're not Camped out, Pick up and try your luck a little further up the beach.

DEPLOYING BAITS:
There are several ways to deploy your baits, Casting them out, pulling them out on a Surf board or on a Zodiac type inflatable boat. If you plan on taking baits out passed the second gut, WEAR A LIFE VEST!!! The water can get very deep and very violent when a wave passes over you.

SETTING YOUR DRAG:
This is a simple procedure, If you plan to hold the rod, you can set the drag a little tighter than the following information suggests. Using a baitcasting reel or an open faced spinning reel doesn't matter, these rules still apply. turn your drag completely off. Next you'll hold the line just above the reel and tighten the drag just to the point that it begins to hold.
BAITCASTERS: Lift up on the line and there should be (some) tension, set your clicker (If your reel has one).
OPEN FACED SPINNING REELS: Set your drag just to where you can almost lift the rod out of the holder, then back off on the drag one click or 1/8 turn. Most open faced reels have the clicker built in.

PLAYING YOUR FISH:
Once a Shark/Fish grabs your bait, let him run just a bit before setting the hook to ensure a solid hook set. Get ready because once you set the hook and let him know you're trying to be the one in charge, He's going to do the same! A shark will head away from you before he heads towards you so I hope you have plenty of line and a strong backbone!

It (is) possible to land a good sized shark on light tackle. Sand sharks, Lemmon Sharks, Bull Sharks, Black Tip Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks can be caught in the surf, The real challenge comes when you Hook up with a Blacktip Shark. Blacktip Sharks have a habit of Spinning and jumping out of the water and sometimes doing both at the same time! Combined with their screaming runs and massive strength, you'll have an exciting battle on your hands.

ALTERNATIVE METHOD:
While standing in the surf, preferably on a sandbar, cast a live baitfish under a balloon (tied directly to your line), release line positioning your baitfish on the surface right behind the chum line. Don't be surprised if you see a huge boil on the surface while a shark is running down your live baitfish. It's scary and exciting all rolled into one, especially if it happens up close! When you get the hookup, wait a few seconds to make sure the hook is in the fishes mouth then set the hook like you're pulling teeth. Once you have a good hook set, simply start walking backwards toward the beach and fight the beast from dry ground.

SPECIAL NOTE:
When a Black tip shark jumps, Your leader will get wrapped around the fish, If you've ever felt the skin of a shark, You'll know it's like course sandpaper. I've been told that long wire leaders have a tendency to bend and break when this happens due to kinks in the wire, If you use a long leader consisting of half Mono and Half Wire it should tolerate the Jumping and twisting fish.

SAFETY FIRST:
I can not stress enough, to use extreme caution while handling fishing for or landing a Shark. Remember the shark is scared, and may react violently when he has you within reach. In self defense, it may try and bite at anything in sight. If you plan on releasing the shark, simply cut the leader as close to the shark as you feel comfortable, don't try and save your hook. Your fingers are worth a lot more than what the hook/leader cost you. the salt water will deteriorate the hook within a few days.