Land based shark fishing

[Bob9863]

I've been meaning to do a write fir a while, I will edit and add to this as I go as it might be a long one. 

To start with you need the right gear, you can use heavy game gear and still cast out far enough or use very heavy spinning gear, but line volume is critical when fishing from the shore. My favourite outfit was a 24kg 7 foot uglystick with a shimano tekota 800 reel, but I've used a 15kg uglystick and a shimano tekota 600 reel. I've also used a 8kg ugly stick and an ambassadeur 6500 reel for sharks around the 2m mark. If your using spinning gear then you need an 8000-12000 sized reel and a heavy 15-25kg rod, just make sure it's stiff with a lot of backbone as sharks from the shore take a lot of pressure to control and they are long fights, anywhere from 1 hour to my longest at just over 3 hours. 

You need to hold at least 300m of 50lb mono or 80-100lb braid and it will need to be abrasion resistant as most sharks fight hard on the bottom. 

The rigs I like to keep simple, I use the same rig for bottom or top water fishing, I like a 60-100cm leader either 300lb steel or 400lb fluorocarbon, I find the fluorocarbon better. I like a size 8/0-12/0 tuna circle hook or a suicide style. If your using braid add a 1.5-2m 100lb fluorocarbon or monofiliment length between the leader and the braid, sharks need a little flex in the line to cushion sudden runs or violent head shakes. 

My basic simple rigs look like this. 

If I'm fishing the a floating bait then I replace the sinker with a water balloon. 

Fish any where there's a deep channel, river mouths or the end of bays or beach gutters. Fish in the current, rips, strong flows ect and let you line run until you can pull it into an eddy or calm pocket. Sharks like to feed at locations like that. Off of jetties ect works great too, anywhere that let's you get a little deeper. 

The key to land based is controlling their head, let the run then pull their head in a different direction, keep doi g that until you tire them out, bringing them in when they still have a lot of fight in the and they will pull you into structure and break you off. 

It is hard on the gear as the drag will heat up, I've cooked cheap Penn outfits from BCF doing that. 

For bait live is best, anything around the size of your hand that is legal to use is great, or 30cm long catfish I find the absolute best. For dead bait a large fillet about the same size is great, don't use too much bait as setting the hook is a lot harder, barracuda is my favourite dead bait, followed my milk fish, mullet or catfish. 

Let them run with the bait for 30sec to a minute before setting the hook, I prefer to lock the drag, hold on and let the fish hook itself. 

This works with all sizes of shark, I liked to target sharks under 1.5m  to eat or the big ones for fun. You will be surprised by how many big sharks patrol areas you usually fish for much smaller fish, they love food rich areas and landing one next to people catching bream ect really shocks most people. 

I will add to this a bit more, but I will need to think a little more on it but here's a few pictures of some I've landed and brought home. The big ones I caught for a mate that has a way to prepare them that he turned into dog food of all things, but the small ones go great deep fried, don't eat the big ones as they contain heavy metals and can be poisonous if you don't know how to prepare them. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Thanks for the guide Bob, I’ve been meaning to try fishing for some larger sharks so will try using these tips.

[Bob9863]

I've got a lot more, just need to add it as I go along, any questions will help me remember the little things. 

[ubnt]

Thanks for the write-up.

Just wondering how do you skin shark for food. I found it not much fun when i have to get meat off them.

[Bob9863]

They are pretty easy, no bones do just cut off big sections then fillet the skin off. 

The smaller ones are some really good eating and much under valued among fishermen. 

I don't eat a lot of fish due to a fear of bones from some that got stuck in my throat as a kid, so shark are perfect for me. They make really good battered fillets and nuggets with a nice firm texture like chicken. 

[Junky]

Good write up Bob.

Sharks are always a by catch for me. Can't say I target them, more so they target my reefies. 

 

 

I don't eat seafood from shops very often, however, if I do, I ask for flake every time. 

Rainbow Beach fish and chips next to IGA sells it. Says it's locally caught... Haha. 

I get some strange looks at times. Most youngens think I'm ordering a deep fried chocolate bar. 

 

[Bob9863]

I think sharks especially land based are highly underrated as a sport fish. They have enormous power and speed, some even jump from the water, they are one of the best fighting fish around and they are long fights too. 

They definitely deserve a better reputation as a sports fish and as a table fish. Catching the ones around the 1m mark with medium spinning or overhead gear is a hell of a lot of fun for some great eating too. 

[ubnt]

11 hours ago, Bob9863 said:

I think sharks especially land based are highly underrated as a sport fish. They have enormous power and speed, some even jump from the water, they are one of the best fighting fish around and they are long fights too. 

They definitely deserve a better reputation as a sports fish and as a table fish. Catching the ones around the 1m mark with medium spinning or overhead gear is a hell of a lot of fun for some great eating too. 

I agreed with you that sharks are incredibly fun to catch and doesn't require complicated method or gears. 

They are also plenty in brisbane river and around.

Just wondering where you can find 1 metre long plus sharks? Are there any water depth preference?

In the locationa I fished I have only caught small (less than 70cm) sharks, so I am interested in where large shark frequent.

 

Thanks Bob!

 

[Grmby]

As a former Victorian I do miss eating flake from the fish and chip shop. It’s usually gummy shark down there. Gummy shark are an often targeted species by fisherman down south, hence the name they are a bit easier to target than some of the toothy sharks. I agree bob about the sport fishing side of it, having caught gummies in the past they are an excellent sport fish. I have been told by a guy at work who eats shovel nose and says they are similar in eating to gummy 

[Bob9863]

On 14/01/2023 at 8:07 PM, ubnt said:

I agreed with you that sharks are incredibly fun to catch and doesn't require complicated method or gears. 

They are also plenty in brisbane river and around.

Just wondering where you can find 1 metre long plus sharks? Are there any water depth preference?

In the locationa I fished I have only caught small (less than 70cm) sharks, so I am interested in where large shark frequent.

 

Thanks Bob!

 

They like deep running channels IME more then anywhere else. Especially if there's structure or lots of food fish in the area. 

You can catch them most places where other fish are caught just by upping your gear and baits. 

River mouths and beach gutters are particularly good, but areas around rock walls really produce the goods too. 

[Thorbjorn Hale]

I must admit, i have been struggling to catch some of the bigger models recently, I go out to target a larger model of shark using a big chunk of eel or even a whole mullet and the smaller ones seem to get to the bait first. Do you have any tips for eliminating the smaller fish? I've tried using 300lb wire  and a 2 16/0 hooks but they don't seem to be put off by it.                                   

[rayke1938]

For local Bne info do a search on some of Mad Mullets posts for jetty based in the logan using light gear. He used to sell made up traces etc. Also in QLD bag limit of `1 and max size limit apply. If you get a biggun do not post on social media because fisheries will track you down.