What is the best fishing bait for sharks?

Question

Before you guys even start being rude about this, my husband and I fish all the time. We are involved in catch and release tournaments where 100 percent of the profit goes back to wildlife preservation. We always do catch and release. We actively call the DNR on people who are illegally taking fish or torturing them. We think sharks are absolutely magnificant creatures and feel so lucky just to be able to see them up close from time to time. We know the obvious fishing baits but just wondering if maybe somebody knows something we don't. Fishing is kinda slow this year, so wanting to maybe try something new. Thanks!

Answer 1

Maria,

There's no need to explain yourself. Many here feel the same as you do about fish conservation.

You just have to expect some goofy answers, part of the fun around here. Don't take it to heart.

As to your question, I like to use oily fish like Barracuda, Mackerel, and Blue fish. Those would be my first choices. My second choices would be large Pinfish, larger Mojarras, and Grunts.

For the barracuda, I fillet them butterfly style. I'll use a few as chum and the others as a bait. Mackerel, I'll use either a fillet or steak. Bluefish, depending on the size, I'll either just cut off the tail completely and let it bleed out while free lining or ballooning it or use it in chunks, skin removed. As for the rest, I give them 3 vertical cuts across the body and use them whole off the bottom or with a balloon rig. Don't score them too deep, you just want to cut them so that they bleed out slowly.

I don't know where you're shark fishing but my way ( Florida) it should be picking up by next month along with the mullet run. They'll be easy pickin's from just about anywhere you find a pod of mullet.~good luck catchin'

Answer 2

Pieces of fish, or whole fish like mackeral or ladyfish. Most sharks on the west coast of Florida are scavengers and will eat just about anything. You can also try whole pinfish or grunts. Fish on the bottom with small pieces of squid to catch pinfish. A good size pinfish is about the size of your hand. Cut slits in the sides of the pinfish to get better scent out of it and fish it either on the bottom or drift it out in the current. Some people use ballons as floats to drift the bait out with the tide.

Answer 3

Freshly caught plump mackerel or tuna. You have to wound them & place back into the water on a line. The sharks will be attracted by the movement & the blood.

Answer 4

if you want to try something completely different, try trolling for makos with marlin trolling lures.

or for threshers with the large diving rapala type lures. particularly from a kayak. very popular here in socal.

Answer 5

Small children are best. Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Answer 6

put a hook through ur foot and swim around awhile and then when u r leg starts to tug scream and then let ur husband reel u in.....if ur not ok with that then use ur husband and reel him in....works great