12/11/2023
SHARK FISHING>>>
A brief introduction to targeting large sharks along the South African coastline.
By Chad Schenk.
Targeting large sharks in South Africa is among the elite fishing genres with the country's rough and unpredictable coastline and an abundance of shark species patrolling our waters it is a facet of fishing that catches the attention of a large number of fishos out to find the next big pull and face the challenges and dangers involved in successfully targeting, safely landing and releasing these majestic creatures.
This introduction will cover what it takes to get the job done safely for both the fisherman and his quarry.
The tackle required, conditions, the where's and when's, baits, and the correct presentations as well as all the tips and tricks involved.
Tackle requirements. -
The tackle used needs to be up to the task of handling some of the most powerful swimmers in the sea so it is advised not to skimp.
Reel- A powerful extra-large reel with high drag output and a massive line capacity is necessary. The reel must also be able to handle the elements so a sealed reel with anti-corrosion properties is a must.
Top picks are.
-Okuma Makaira and Tesoro spin reels among other brands.
Rod- the rod used needs a high casting weight, the length to get an extra-long cast and the backbone to pull giants. The long length also aids in fighting the fish and keeping the line clear of reefs and sandbanks. A 14-to-15-foot rod is ideal with a cast weight of 6 to 8 oz, 7 to 9 oz or 8 to 10 oz is required and the rod must be able to handle heavy braids with a pe rating of 4 to 8. (60 to 100lb).
The top picks are.
Okuma Mariana and Makaira 6-8oz and 7 to 9 oz
Braid- A good quality braid with a pe rating of 4 to 8 is necessary (50 to 100lb). The breaking strain of the braid you use should be determined by the structure you fishing, the casting distance required and the species of shark you are targeting. Ie should the gutter you wish to fish be behind a back bank a longer cast would be necessary. Therefore, a thinner braid should be used to reach the target. If the terrain is foul and full of structure or there is an abundance of predators around, it is advised to fish heavier as dolphins and other sharks making contact with braid under tension result in the loss of your fish and large lengths of line left trailing the shark you have just lost. One will have to determine what diameter is best suited based on all these factors. With most modern braids being of high quality and for the most part reliable, the choices are abundant.
Top picks-
Boss Braid Slick
Hooks and terminal tackle.
Hooks used must be large and made extremely strong as these predators make short work of a flimsy hook. Bending it out from a hook to a nail. Hooks should preferably be forged and machined ranging in size from 9/0 to 13/0. Even bigger hooks can be used. Circle hooks are preferable as they hook the shark in the corner of the mouth and avoid gut hooking and injuring the shark. All terminal tackle should be equally strong as your entire setup is only as strong as your weakest link.
Top picks-
BKK range of inline and monster-heavy circles
Eagle claw big game medium circles
Traces and bait presentations
The bite trace used should be bulletproof. A proven trace is a semi-slide trace consisting of approximately 1.5 meters of 120lb to 200lb wire trace. This should be tied up using a large single swivel connected at one end, tied on using a figure 8 and haywire twist or a knot suited to wire trace, followed by a bead, a 3way swivel and a bead after the swivel. Place a crimp approximately 40cm down from the swivel to act as a stopper for the swivel. This 3 way swivel will be connected to the sinker trace and sinker.
Wire grapnel sinkers of 6 to 9 oz should be used depending on sea conditions and bait size. There should be approximately 1 meter of wire trace from the stopper crimp to the hook. The hook can be tied on using a haywire twist or a snell knot. This trace is referred to as a full metal jacket.
When where and how to target sharks.
I.e. Conditions, structures, and time of year
For the most part, our waters are full of sharks up and down the coast, but this does not make finding them or catching them an easy task. First and foremost, we will look at Conditions suitable for catching sharks from the side. Though this will vary according to species, it is relatively uniform for all sharks.
Flat seas with small swell are always preferred wherever you may be fishing. Swell of below 1.5m and a short swell period of approx. 6 to 10 seconds is ideal. Current is also important as too much current makes presentation difficult.
Sharks will not come close inshore with big swell dumping and pounding the shoreline. Generally deeper water is preferred therefore rocky points, reefs or deep gutters and rip currents along the beach are optimal places to put your bait. This allows the sharks to move in and find your bait upon picking up the scent without too much difficulty. While tides on rocky points are not as important as along beaches, a common practice is to get your bait out as far as possible during the low tide and wait for the tide to push, making the waters deeper and allowing the sharks to move in unhindered, especially useful when fishing beaches with gutters. As distance is usually important when fishing beaches it is necessary to wade as deep as possible and cast out using a Hatteras casting style. Giving the best distance with heavy baits and weights with the long rods used. At times, the sharks will come very close in but for the most part, long casts will be needed. To attain the longest casts a smaller bait clipped to the sinker using a di**le dangle can be used along with a lighter braid.
