All it takes for me to get an itch to chase the monster sharks is a report from a credible source that the monsters are there and I'm off to the races chasing them drag burning monsters of my dreams.It's a fever that only has one cure go monster chasing but i'm fully aware that these reports by credible sources if not acted upon quickly the chances to catch the big fish can change with the tide or the movement of bait schools off a certain beach or a change in weather can often turn off the sharks --in other words "here today gone tommorow".These adventures sometimes pay off handsomely and other times they do not for whatever reason;missed the right moment, from lack of adequate preparation ,or for lack of the right LOCAL FRESH BAIT.I got lucky on this trip with my frozen east coast bonita vs my buddies using frozen west coast bat rays .Maybe my Christmas tree decoration on my bait gave me the slight edge on this night ,,,I can't be sure but I can say i was disappointed in not finding the monster bulls I've searched for all summer long.Thanks Travis,James and John for the laughs on the beach--had a great time. The long drive home after a whole night on a beach had me almost hallucinating after the Red Bull,the coffee and the Marlboro wore off in the middle of Alligator Alley.It's getting harder to push myself for these 500 plus mile trips specially when i'm driving on my own but I love the challenge,I love the hunt and I love the commaraderie with good new friends as well as old ones .No regrets at all for another worthy try and with persistence and determination comes the right to be victorious so we keep at it,week after week ,month after month ,year after year ,just like the old timers from south beach taught me.They know who they are ,,,,,,,thanks Jd,Lui but also thanks Rene(Rip),thanks Ricky(Rip)
a GREAT SPOT WITH BIG BULLS AND GIANT HAMMER POSSIBLTIES
Just in time for a west coast sunset
hooked up on the 14/0
the tag is in ,and the shark is quickly measured. John,James and Travis in behind the shark as it comes alive
7 foor 6 inch and our only catch of the night.the tag is visible right below the shark's dorsal fin
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Will, it was a pleasure fishing with you wish there was more action but maybe next time. We will have to do it again.
There is a pattern to those fish out there i noticed.... What time did you drop baits and how far did you drop em that may be the problem.
We got started at night so our drops were maybe a bit closer then they would been dropped during the day.We worked the waters from 75 yards to about 300 yards out away from the beach.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Yea thats where you messed up lol
Yea thats where you messed up lol
Yes, they come in very close..I got this one on a bait that was just 120 feet from shore
Every beach has it's tricks and it depends on many things that will mean the difference between catching and not catching.We've learned enough over the years to cover both short and far drops but sometimes other factors come into play but i'm guessing you'rte gonna say not far enough on the bait deployment? Sometimes they are out beyond a second sandbar 400 yard offshore and other times they are right in the deep trough in front of your camp only steps away.East coast or west coast the better shark fisherman pay attention to details and keep a records of catches,baits used,weather conditions and techniques over the years to get every advantage possible.
At the end of the night I was pleased with my effort and my results.
I figured maybe not having fresh black drum was the answer but sometimes fish move in one day and are gone the next--we all know that "you should of been here yesterday" saying in fishing.
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger
Fresh bait is key in any instance. And the majority of the fish/hits were an hour before and after dusk. Every bait we put out were just on the edge of the second bar none were in the trough.
hey greenhorn I need your number
it depends on many things that will mean the difference between catching and not catching
So true..I think that might be the main reason I keep going is to try to figure out some of those things.