Maryland Surf Sharking

Use for easier viewing of the same pictures above:

http://s1363.photobucket.com/user/jporo ... t=3&page=1

Great album. That van is awesome! Nice sand tigers too

Making my debut in the SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB with some images from good times past up in my home state of MARYLAND.

Another Marylander here.

Where did you do most of your fishing? AI?

Nice fish bro! I am also a MD boy!
You got your self onto some of the best shark fishing beaches in this world... have fun in FL, there are MONSTAS roaming the sands.

Great album. That van is awesome! Nice sand tigers too

Thanks! Only bad thing about Florida is I can't use it on the beaches...

Making my debut in the SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB with some images from good times past up in my home state of MARYLAND.

Another Marylander here.

Where did you do most of your fishing? AI?

I did most of my fishing in the uptown OC and Assateague. Do you still fish up there?

Nice fish bro! I am also a MD boy!
You got your self onto some of the best shark fishing beaches in this world... have fun in FL, there are MONSTAS roaming the sands.

Tell me about it - I'm learning quickly that I'm outgunned with my penn 50's down here. Looking to upgrade and take part in the fun ASAP!

Penn 50s are great reels in the right hands and spooled up with braid backing can produce some really big fish. Lots and Lots and a few more have their "best" reel for land based shark fishing. IMO i would spool your 50 wides with 600 yards of 130 JB hollow and then fillum to the bar with good 130 mono and go drop some baits just like you did on AI. I really dont change to much fishing FL or MD it really depends on location. There is spots on the east coast of FL that you can hand toss a 20lb jack out 30 feet and have a great shot at a monster and there is also spots where a 300 yard drop is needed to hook up.

What area are you located? that would be some help. How do you usually set up? line, leader, hook, drag that kind of stuff?

Making my debut in the SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB with some images from good times past up in my home state of MARYLAND.

Another Marylander here.

Where did you do most of your fishing? AI?

I did most of my fishing in the uptown OC and Assateague. Do you still fish up there?

While I live up north, I haven't fished Maryland yet. I've done all my sharking in North Carolina during summer vacations.

We plan on fishing Assateague several times this summer. Any tips? I assume the best fishing is late summer?

Penn 50s are great reels in the right hands and spooled up with braid backing can produce some really big fish. Lots and Lots and a few more have their "best" reel for land based shark fishing. IMO i would spool your 50 wides with 600 yards of 130 JB hollow and then fillum to the bar with good 130 mono and go drop some baits just like you did on AI. I really dont change to much fishing FL or MD it really depends on location. There is spots on the east coast of FL that you can hand toss a 20lb jack out 30 feet and have a great shot at a monster and there is also spots where a 300 yard drop is needed to hook up.

What area are you located? that would be some help. How do you usually set up? line, leader, hook, drag that kind of stuff?

Great to know because I was on my way to loading up a 14/o with 100# mono... I'll be looking into your suggestion.

I'm located in Fort Lauderdale but I'm willing to go anywhere within an hour from home. For example, not too long ago I met up with Willy in Stuart. I'm always getting hit in Fort Lauderdale but between snags and chasing over reef I'm losing my rigs way too often (which is why braid is sounding reeeal nice). I drop these about a football field out as I do on AI. I had 80# mono onto a 15' wire braid / wire combo leader to a 10 or 12/o hook... I throw on 8-16oz pyramid at the top of the leader and this always worked in MD for fish up to 200#. I'll leave the drag loose enough to easily feed with my hands but keep the line taut. Willy showed me some things which has me reconsidering my FL tackle.

Another Marylander here.

Where did you do most of your fishing? AI?

I did most of my fishing in the uptown OC and Assateague. Do you still fish up there?

While I live up north, I haven't fished Maryland yet. I've done all my sharking in North Carolina during summer vacations.

We plan on fishing Assateague several times this summer. Any tips? I assume the best fishing is late summer?

I've fished AI all summer from the end of May to September for the past few years. Every summer has been the same. I'll always try the end of May when the water starts to get warmer thinking "this year's gonna be the year" but I won't have any luck until around mid June. After that I've had steady luck in the right conditions whenever I went up through September. As long as the water's above 70 and you drop baits after 5-6pm, you should get into something. Sometimes in the first 30 min, sometimes not til 2AM, but more often than not I'd hook up with something. If you can drop right before the incoming I'd say that's your best bet. Also the sand tigers like the tuna heads. The smaller sandbars and bulls (which are more fun IMO) prefer the bunker in the surf but generally won't be in the area until mid-late July. Just cast your surf rods out alongside your yakked baits and you'll be ready to go. Anyway I love AI - enjoy it for me as I'll be in stinkin' hot FL!

I've fished AI all summer from the end of May to September for the past few years. Every summer has been the same. I'll always try the end of May when the water starts to get warmer thinking "this year's gonna be the year" but I won't have any luck until around mid June. After that I've had steady luck in the right conditions whenever I went up through September. As long as the water's above 70 and you drop baits after 5-6pm, you should get into something. Sometimes in the first 30 min, sometimes not til 2AM, but more often than not I'd hook up with something. If you can drop right before the incoming I'd say that's your best bet. Also the sand tigers like the tuna heads. The smaller sandbars and bulls (which are more fun IMO) prefer the bunker in the surf but generally won't be in the area until mid-late July. Just cast your surf rods out alongside your yakked baits and you'll be ready to go. Anyway I love AI - enjoy it for me as I'll be in stinkin' hot FL!

I very much appreciate the info. It’s nice not being forced to learn the hard way. We live in central Maryland, so it’s about a two hour drive to OC/AI. Our plan is to start seriously fishing the island in early August.

If you don’t mind answering, I only have two more questions. LOL.

How far do you yak your baits out?

Our plan is to create a spread, 100–200-300 yard drops. I’m assuming 300 yards is more than sufficient for the larger sharks, but maybe I’m wrong. I figure AI can't be too much different than the Carolinas.

How did you get your tuna heads?

When we fish NC, we buy bait at the fish market. It’s not cost effective, but it gets us up-and-running fast. Spanish mackerel on the yakked rigs and red drum in the surf seems to work well in the Carolinas.

Great to know because I was on my way to loading up a 14/o with 100# mono... I'll be looking into your suggestion.

I'm located in Fort Lauderdale but I'm willing to go anywhere within an hour from home. For example, not too long ago I met up with Willy in Stuart. I'm always getting hit in Fort Lauderdale but between snags and chasing over reef I'm losing my rigs way too often (which is why braid is sounding reeeal nice). I drop these about a football field out as I do on AI. I had 80# mono onto a 15' wire braid / wire combo leader to a 10 or 12/o hook... I throw on 8-16oz pyramid at the top of the leader and this always worked in MD for fish up to 200#. I'll leave the drag loose enough to easily feed with my hands but keep the line taut. Willy showed me some things which has me reconsidering my FL tackle.

You have some great locations very close to you. FL can be bad for cutoffs. I have found that long leaders help alot. Here is a basic leader I run. 20/0 Mustad circle, 8 feet or so of # 19 wire or 480lb coated cable, 800lb barrel swivel, then 30 feet of 6 to 800lb mono. I also put a big snap swivel on the 30 foot of heavy mono to act as my sliding weight. This leader helps stop some cut offs along with at least 150 yards of 200 mono for a top shot on my reels. 12/0 size and 14/0 size are FL favorites and have caught some true monsters. IMO any 14/130 size reel should be loaded with 130lb min and have at least 200 yards of 200lb mono on top. 80-100 and even 130 will not last long in tough conditions. I know it sounds crazy running 200lb line but 90% of it is for abrasion resistance. keep reading around in the forums and you will learn a lot.

How far do you yak your baits out?
Our plan is to create a spread, 100–200-300 yard drops. I’m assuming 300 yards is more than sufficient for the larger sharks, but maybe I’m wrong. I figure AI can't be too much different than the Carolinas.

Thats a great plan and exactly what we do on AI until we find the hot bite drop, then we focus on the depth.

How did you get your tuna heads?

I hit up the docks in west oc between 3-5 o'clock. Sunset marina area. It helps to have some friends offshore but its usually pretty easy. Dont count out the skins from Tuna, wahoo, and what ever else they work great.

here is some MD sharker info for you. http://sharksonthesand.com/forum/viewto ... f=8&t=4139 ever need any help feel free to contact me.

Thats a great plan and exactly what we do on AI until we find the hot bite drop, then we focus on the depth.

I hit up the docks in west oc between 3-5 o'clock. Sunset marina area. It helps to have some friends offshore but its usually pretty easy. Dont count out the skins from Tuna, wahoo, and what ever else they work great.

here is some MD sharker info for you. http://sharksonthesand.com/forum/viewto ... f=8&t=4139 ever need any help feel free to contact me.

Thanks. You guys have been quite helpful.