Corpusfishing.com

[PennCaster]

I would like to start a discussion here and get some of yalls guys/ladies input.

I started shark fishing about 12 years ago or so, and have landed quite a few sharks, nothing spectacular but decent size. Most of my knowledge of shark fishing techniques I have learned has been taught to me by an old school shark fisherman, internet, and a little of my own trial and error.

My question is why does it seem more like a " Texas" coast technique to use multi strand cable with J hooks to target larger sharks? VS Circle hooks and heavy duty single strand wire from what I noticed seems to be like a " Florida" thing?

I understand fully the pros of the circle hooks when it comes to the sharks well being , but what gets me is the Single Strand heavy duty wire. Even when using circle hooks, I have noticed that a lot of shark fisherman still use multi strand cable and crimps to make their traces.

From what I have learned here locally circle hooks are fine for smaller sharks, but when fisherman tend to target the "Big Boys" they seem to rely on big baits rigged with J hooks and multi stand cable. I know this isn't Florida but from what videos I have seen on youtube those Florida guys have no problem landing 10' + sharks on just a single Circle hook traced with heavy duty single strand wire and mono!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Just would really like to read what people's take on the subject.
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[AnmRanch]

I'm no expert, nor have I caught anything big, but most of the guys I know who have caught big fish all pretty much use 20/0 or 24/0 circle hooks and the multi strand coated cable leaders.

[Transplanted]

There are rules and regulations on what kind of hooks you can use when fishing with bait and tournaments. http://tpwd.texas.gov/

I am also interested in what people who have a lot of shark experience are using for tackle. I have read and seen floats and clips and other stuff that seems like it would help if you hooked into something big.

I have only caught 1 shark that I would consider large, 4 1/2 -5ft blacktip. I was using a 13/0 Komatsu hook with a coated multi strand bite leader and a 30ft 130lb mono leader. After seeing how the hook was so tiny and barely hooked in its mouth I upgraded to 16/0 owner circle hooks. Basically similar to what you would use for any small toothy fish, just bigger.

[hickroots07]

While i mostly use multi strand cable, i do have a small coil of singke strand heavy wire. I have only tried it as a stinger hook in a bait that needed another hook. I have used thinner single strand to catch kings and it inevitably kinks and looks all messed up. I have had LOTS less messed up cable with the sharks I've caught compared to what kings do to single strand. That being said, my small group of friends are experimenting with changing leader design. One of them is going to be mono to a single strand heavy wire to a 18/0 hook. And double single strand wire to a 24/0 circle. Ill actually be trying one tomorrow. Really interested in this thread.
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Great captains, the stuff of legend, are made not by what they have caught, but by what they have given back.

[eddy37]

A lot of the sharks you'll catch in texas are much smaller than those in florida. The "big baits" in florida tend to be smaller than those in texas. They're bigger here because people want to avoid all those smaller sharks, even though I've seen small blacktips tear up a big bait to get hooked by one of three hooks(J's) and be reeled in the next morning.

J's vs Circles - It really just comes down to personal preference. From my experience it isn't a Florida or Texas choice; most of the time the type of hook is based on bait choice, target species, experience level, and if fishing catch, photo, release (CPR).

How I choose my tackle: (Just 1 guys opinion)

Circle Hooks - great for small to medium baits rigged in a corner or through the mouth. On big baits (entire big rays & jacks) you just have to remember to let the shark eat; let it run a decent amount of time before bumping the drag. Great for CPR and my choice 95% of the time.

J's - I'll use a bait needle to rig the trace through the body of the bait, and usually use J's when I want multiple hook in the bait due to size or when targeting one particular species. Need to be able to set the hook; bump the drag, reel in the slack and yank real hard or do the running man up the beach.

[Matt]

Not sure how relevant it is because I don't fish for them off the beach...fishing for them offshore (blacktips and spinners, behind shrimp boats mostly) I use a 6 or 8' 400 lb mono leader with a 10-12/0 circle hook (crimped). Caught some big boys on that rig no problem.
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[PennCaster]

thanks hickroots07,

that's pretty much the answer I was looking for. very interested to see how the single strand and double single strand with circle hooks works out at PINS
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I'd rather be Fishing!

[hickroots07]

[hickroots07]

Ok so got a couple of baits run yesterday.

2 with stranded cable, 2 with single strand wire. 2 all mono leaders.


Heres the results. One single strand got cut off, the other untouched. One stranded cable got picked up and dropped, the other untouched.

All mono leaders had at least 7 or 8 runs. Had one break off on a screaming run, and landed 2 black tips. One at 4.5 feet and the other at 5.5 ft roughly.

Now this isnt scientific because there were different baits on all of them, at various lengths and with various sized and style hooks. But the mono only seemed to produce the most hits.....


Report will be added later
_________________
Great captains, the stuff of legend, are made not by what they have caught, but by what they have given back.