Researching spots for the BHC-STORMCHASERS/SHARKCHASERS

There is so much coastline in Florida that any serious shark fishermen can't possibly fish every spot in one lifetime.Many of the better shark fishermen in Florida and elsewhere have become excellent sharkers because they are blessed with great beaches close to their homes that produce huge sharks almost year round.That is true for a handful of top notch East coast sharkers that I can name that live in areas such as West Palm Beach,Martin County,St Lucie county and Indian River county places where the blue water runs close to the beach and the abundance of baitfish close to the beaches consistently draw in monster sharks that are caught by the lucky and many times very skillful few who live in those counties, most a short drive from the best sharking beaches in Florida.

Looking south from the Ft Pierce jetty park





with the high winds blowing we decided to have lunch at a nearby beach side Raw bar with a laid back 1970's ambience--love these old places and old Florida feel ;i hope they never give in to the urban sprawl

Those lucky enough to live in those areas I mentioned above save money on gas they don't have to travel very far to find the big sharks most of the time but the rest of us who live to pursue the big sharks are and live far from those prime shark fishing beaches have to pound the pavement,do the research,spend the money on gas and to hopefully find the best spots.Most of the best spots are not given away by the better sharkers but have to be found through effort and hard work;we are the willing who labor to find those places.Throughout the years most of the big hitters in the SFSC have been more then willing to travel many times in harsh conditions to find the top producing spots.We are blessed to have among our ranks anglers such as JD Hammer whose vast expiereinces and travels are a storehouse of information to plan a shark fishing trip anywhere in the state.I can safely say that the money I have spent on mortgages over the years JD Hammer has spent on his fishing travels.JD hammer with all his extensive travels cannot say he has fished every spot on the coast ---so we set out constantly to bring back the information that will make us all better shark fishermen and able to compete with best of the best.We don't claim to know it all and are always willing to learn new techniques and find new places-it's always been our trademark.This day would be a wonderful expierience and another chance to find the better places

the high winds (15 mph -gusting to 30 )eventually became rain storms that finally at the end of the day drove us off the beach

Our plan on this day was simple go north and find some giant day time bulls or possibly tigers at a place known for a nearby rocky shoreline and big sharks.Keith Riley(big baits) and i met up early and headed north on I-95 to scout new territory that could pay big dividends during the Big Hammer Challenge. The flags were pinned and the weather report said winds gusting to 30 mph hour blowing South West so I was prepared to scout the new beaches but with the knowledge taht we may find them but not be able to fish them if the surf is pounding.We headed north anyways over 100 miles ,this storm projected to blow though with tornado warnings in the forecast could not deter us.

in the Intracoastal the wind created a chop on the water

just the sort of place we love "no life guards on duty or horses allowed on the beach" no horsesh%t to step on ,or tourist to rescue in the surf in the absense of winey life guards-Hooray for Isolated beaches

Beautiful places we share with you ,to be used by all with outmost of care and respect

Finally on the beach after the wind laid down we proceed to set up and yak out our baits while the wind is still blowing from the SW knowing full well if it shifts to anywhere near East our calm surf will become a yak eating monster.With 4 fresh twenty pound cudas in our cooler we know we will catch some sharks.After one hour on the beach we are joined by the rest of our Team and Keith is first to get hooked up on his pristine 14/0 and 10 foot gator glass custom(circa 1983)

Keith fights the first shark of the day

Keith (big baits)with his male blacktip

Keith and I pose with his tipper

After a while Nick Spera(Nickpatrick08) and Eric both Cape Coral fire fighters have arrived with fresh bonitas and are anxious to get there baits out.Soon afterwards we are joined by Ron Gerracci (RonG) and Adam (tightlinez) and we are ready for a fight with a full crew ready for battle.


baits are yakked out at a frenzied pace back to back

Fishing new spots you have to do your research ,learn the beaches and there contours ,reefs or ledges close in.You have to know how far or close to the jetties to target the bull sharks ,where the hammers are most likely to be and what time of the year they are more likely to be there,you have to figure it all out ,talk to the local fishermen before your first mile is traveled .You should find out if the sharks are in close or offshore feeding on schools of fish that frequent the east coast of Florida.Local angler knowledge is a big plus ,finding beaches that won't exhaust you is also nice but not always what produces.A big key in shark fishing is doing your homework and it helps but does not guarantee success on your first try.Always be willing to move around until you find where the sharks are and don't get lazy and comftable because the HARDCORE ARE ON THE MOVE.

The blacktips were fierce on this day like a swarm of mosquitoes to be avoided is my opinion and I was glad my Big Stinky baits were being avoided by the flying gyrating critters-I was looking for a rogue Tiger or fat BULLY.The boys were having fun on the sand hooking double header tippers on bloody bonitas but these shark were expert at disecting the most excellent of prepared morsels and hookups after hookups led to stolen baits and pissed off fire fighters looking for a fight with a worthy opponent.

Keith had the hod rod on this day ,here he poses with his second tipper of the day

Keith and Nick

Keith and Eric



every new recruit has to learn basic shark handling skills and the quick and safe release

Keith was having fun hooking small tippers on his spinner

Ron(RonG)left,Keith middle and Adam on the right

The bait thief is finally Identified -smallish sharks messing with the too large baits this one caught by fire fighter Nick

Every year we recruit new sharkers into our ranks and for me personally it is a wonderful expierience to watch them develop -it's like watching my kids learn to ride there bikes all over again.I take pride in teaching and shaping ,i laugh at there antics and dream of the day they will CATCH MONSTERS and take the reigns of this sport ,and in my heart i am satisfied that i am doing something good for others and for the sport that i so deeply love.I will continue to find new spots and teach new fishermen those spots and those that hate me for it will have to just watch and wish that I would go away and stop bringing more fishermen to there back yards to chase big fish-BUT I WON'T!! In the end all that will be left will be a memory of guy who loved his sport and loved his fishermen--no greed ,no hate,no envy ,no jealousy ,just an old men ,the sharks and the sea.