Casting Shark Bait: Deploying Shark Bait

Shark Questions & Answers

Casting Shark Bait

Casting shark bait can be quite difficult since you’ve got to throw a pound or more of shark bait that is connected to a 6′ leader with an 8 oz. leader. What you need to remember is that sharks have an incredible sense of smell and have no problem coming into waist deepwater. If you can only cast your shark bait 10-15 yards don’t worry.Walk it out as far as you can, just make sure you are in the gut(between sandbars). Once you get good at casting you should be able to throw a hunk of shark bait 30-40 yards.

If you’re casting a Penn Senator 113 or similar bait castingrodyou’ve got a whole new challenge. Keeping your reel from ‘bird nesting’is a must. There is nothing worse than getting a huge spool of line alltangled up and wasting precious time with which you could be catchingbait. A lot of times a big tangled mess means cutting the line andstarting over. You can’t afford to be cutting 50-100 yards of yourspool. My first suggestion would be to tie on a weight and practice onthe beach for several minutes. Once you feel comfortable add a littlemore weight. Remember a 6oz weight and a 20-30oz hunk of meat weighs alot! You’ll eventually get the hang of it and it will be quite easy tocast. If you have major issues with casting I have another suggestion.Loosen the drag as light as it will go and throw it has hard as youcan. With the drag enabled at all times it will not birds nest at all.I’m sure this is not good for your reel, so it’s best to learn tocast properly.

One other safety concern to mention when casting shark bait.Whenyour heaving a ton of weight from the end of the pole the line as atendency to slip in your fingers. You can get a deep cut on yourfingers if this happens. Consider using some surgical tubing or aleather glove when casting. There is nothing worse than nursing a deepwound when you’re going to be on the beach all day.

Shark Fishing Guide: Deploying Kayak Shark Bait

Kayaking your shark bait is the best way to haul out those large baits. Two recommended kayaks are the Scrambler XT or the Frenzy. Bothare made by Ocean Kayaks and are great for kayaking in the surf. If youget serious about shark fishing and buy a extra large reel you can haulout your baits several hundred yards and go for the big boys.Additionally they are quite fun to play in the waves when the fishingis slow.

Once you’re happy with your placement you can walk back to thebeachand place your rod in a holder. I recommend a 2-3″� PVC type rod holderabout 4-5′ long. This will keep your reel out of the sand and thecorrosive salt water. Also having the rod this high will keep the lineout of the sand therefore prolonging the life of your main line. Onceits in the rod holder be sure to loosen your drag. You want it tightenough so the waves don’t pull it out, and loose enough that a sharkwon’t realize he just picked up a dinner.