Good equipment in tip top shape and line in tip top shape is the key ingredient to catching the biggest strongest sharks from any shoreline of the planet.The right leader,the right line and the right rod and reel all combined correctly will help you catch the most powerful sharks that swim right off Florida's beaches -the hammerhead shark.If you are in land-based shark fishing to catch blacktip sharks on a spinning tackle ,well this post is not for you, but if you are in it to CATCH MONSTER SHARKS this is aimed directly at you-- so listen up!! In past years 130 lb test was typically the heaviest we used sometimes one of the guys would spool up a 14 or 16 with 150 lb or 200 lb test after getting spooled on a bridge in March or April and the angler would have the attitude I'm coming back to catch that SOB that took my line but then they would eventually go back to the standard 130 lb test becuase the heavier line was more difficult to find back in the day.Are we losing Monster sharks because our line is not quite as heavy as it should be??Should we be using 200 lb test or sticking to the standard 130 lb test on the big reels??This subject will have some saying i am wrong on this because many huge sharks have been caught on 130 in the past but I believe we have LEARNED more and become BETTER SHARKERS because of the internet and the sharing of information.Yes the SFSC has evolved and I am the head of the pack and I make suggestions to up EVERYONE'S game for those in the club and foe those not in it as well.Even the world of land-based shark fishing has changed and I feel responsuble to pass along the improvements that we have observed and tested.My opinion comes after many years in the game and much careful observation.
For those of you that fish only in the summer or the fall, or only part of the year 130 lb test line will work just fine because your line is in the water exposed to the elements much less and the line stays fresh and fray and nick free.For the anglers that are fishing often your line is constantly wearing down and that weakens your line and exposes you to break-offs and losing the prized fish like we have been losing for some time now(sorry fellas but it is true).Not every monster shark lost is lost because of lighter worn line, but I would say that those lost while fishing from BEACHES 90% are due to older worn 130 lb test.In 2011 I upgraded all my 14/0s and 16/0s to 200 lb test.The Three monster sharks I lost last year, one I lost to a splice failure,one to a straightened hook,and the other to a blown reel so I try and improve by learning from past mistakes ,,not one huge shark was lost because of line failure or weakness. I personally believe that in order to catch the 13 to 15 foot hammerhead sharks we should be using 200 lb test and checking it often and changing it for brand new line when we find it worn ,dry,or frayed .Line that is old and used will lose it's transparency and becomes opaque and takes on a whitish look so you should be feeling your line and looking for the weak spots that could mean heart break when trying to put a beast on the sand.We land-based shark fisherman expose our lines to the effects of sand,rocks,coral,pilings,crab traps,and other underwater debris we cannot even imagine and so the need for heavier more abrasion resistant BECOMES A MUST.Monofilament line I have said in the past is the way to go in this sport for it's abrasion resistance #1 and #2 for it's forgiveness and stretching rather then breaking .
Within the last 5 years the biggst baddest sharks caught in the world of land-based shark fishing have been caught by Team Rebel(Zach Miller) and there crew with a few giant hammerheads over 13 foot to there credit. I know where they fish and i know how they were able to catch such powerful hammerheads.The last giant hammer they caught was caught by Tyler and it took all the line to the knot and they held the angler down and the line stretched to the max but did not break and they slowly got the shark to turn.What happens is the 200 lb test is much harder to break off then the 130 lb test.You learn the power of the 200 when you get stuck on a piece of coral 300 yards out and you attempt to get it off the bottom to get your leader with hooks back. Me and two friends could not break it and I was forced to yak out at 4 am to try and retrieve my leader.That was proof enough to me of the advantages of 200 lb test over 130.The 200 is not for everyone nor am I suggesting that you should throw away your $100 worth of 130 lb test currently on your reel I'm simply saying that if your goal is to catch a huge hammer you should seriously consider what i have said here.In 2012 and beyond I know I'm ready to battle the BIGGEST of the BIG will you be ready when the moment comes?
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
This post deserves serious credit and I'm agreeing with Will's philosophy. First of all, experience and hooking many big sharks is the only way to come up with successful change for shark fishing from the beach when targeting MONSTERS, NOT ANYTHING UNDER 12FT. Reading will only take you so far. You have to feel the power and know what its like when the Sh#% hits the fan once you hook that monster. From my team's experiences last year, we moved over to 200lb mono on our biggest reels and DIDNT HAVE ONE LINE SNAP ALL YEAR (not counting blacktips running into your main line).
Before we switched to 200lb mono, we hooked and lost a few monsters:
1) We had a 12/0 with 100lb spooled bc we couldnt put enough pressure on the fish.
2) we hooked a large fish and had to lock down an 80w and snapped the 130lb mono during the fight.
3) we got spooled on a 50w with 100lb mono/ 100lb braid underneath.
Once we switched to 200lb mono we hooked and lost a few monsters for different reasons:
1) I hooked the biggest shark of my life and couldnt even lift up the rod without resting it on my teamates shoulder. Lost the shark after running on hard drag, but the LINE DIDNT SNAP, the hooks pulled.
2) Chris hooked a monster over the summer and was getting dumped on his 80w, lost the shark after 5 minutes of taking line, but the LINE DIDNT SNAP, the hooks pulled again.
The lessons learned are that since the change to 200lb mono, we havent broke a line. We fished the 2011 BHC hard and caught many sharks at some points on the same line without having time to change the line, and it didnt break even though it wasnt in top condition. The extra amount of pressure and abrasion that 200lb mono can take is much much more than 100,130,or 150lb mono.
As stated, those lines will work fine for the 5ft blacktips, 8 ft bulls and lemons, and 10ft tigers, but the real monsters of the deep will either spool those reels or snap the lines when you are finally forced to lock it down.
THEY CALL IT THE BIG HAMMER CHALLENGE FOR A REASON BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TEAM WAR PAINT
I agree Will but I will also say that if you are targeting that 1000lb plus 15-17ft shark 200 wont work. Ask TimmyT how that 200held up against the hammer he watched eat his bait and proceed to dump his international 130 loaded with 200braid and 200 mono. The mono gave up due to the sharks shear power/size and the water drag. I know you love your mono and rightfully so, but I believe if you even put 500yds of 200lb braid or heavier on the bottom of your 16/0s that emergency line could save you one day. I am now running 300lb braid on my big guns with mono top shot.
Also it seems with that much pressure hooks are being pulled. I am switching to Mustad Super marlins for tournaments (too pricey for me to fish with any bait at 19$ a hook) but I hope this helps prevent the hook pulling. Another possible suggestion may just be to switch to a large circle. If the hook is embedded in the corner of his mouth with the circle tip wrapped around the outside of jaw wouldn't that make it that much harder to "pull" like a J hook. Just some food for thought on that subject as I don't personally use circles right now.
Team HUGE Gear Captain
"GET SOME!"
I definitely agree! I gave tyler the line for his big hammer and they said the fish took it down to the knot and they were at a stand still for a while. Also on a different occasion raymundo kayaked his bait way out. I told him he was guna get spooled, but he had 200 lb on. The fish took the line down to the knot, the rod bent in a C and for a little while I thought it was going to snap. He was harnessed in and the fish started dragging him down the sand to the water, we had to hold him. The line did not snap, but the fishes head was turned. It turned out to be a 9 1/2 foot hammer hooked in the TAIL lol.
A word of precaution for you when you use 200 Lb test. Have a safety rope for you and your reel, and have a knife ready. Its not guna break. We tested our 200 LB line at IGFA and it was crazy. The line and the testing machine were at a standstill. After a long struggle the line started smoking and turning white as the heat from the tension began to melt the actual nylon. Finally it broke at 237 Lbs!
Colby Uva : Bullbuster Team Captain
https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/107013063084498996341/
SFSC-Tagging/Fishing Science Coordinator
wow, very nice read, i agree with everyone here. 130 can only go so far. i know a few TX guys that they are using 200 hollow core with 200 mono. Here in tx are drops are a little long than Florida hence the braid backing.
Well spoken words here.
sharkinmiami.....
A word of precaution for you when you use 200 Lb test. Have a safety rope for you and your reel, and have a knife ready. Its not guna break.
bullbuster 200lb test is the best... ive been there and it didnt break, ive been caught up on the reef with 4 guys running with me trying to break it and we couldent break it. they say a carpenter is only as good as his tools, i belive its the same way in fishing. garbage reels = lost fish
slow reels = cut line
47 lb drag = geting spooled
ive moved up from the senators i rather have less line and more power, but thats just my opinion
big hammer challange get ready
1.duel 12/ws = 90 lb drag + springs = 150 lb drag
2.avet 80 2 speed
3.avet 80 2 speed
im not going to play with them this year
DIRTY SOUTH SHARK HUNTERS
2012 1st place BLACKTIP CHALLENGE
2011 NO LIMIT TOURNAMENT CHAMPION 2nd year in a row
2010 BHC biggest hammerhead shark on 80 lb test
2010 NO LIMIT TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
2010 BHC 3rd and 5th place biggest shark
2010 april sharker of the month
2009-2010 Rookie of the year
200lb mono all the way!! I have been using it the last 2 years and now I am going to get rid of my 130lb braid backing and put 200lb cortland backing.
"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3).
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WILLIAM---heavy mono is the answer to big sharks----last yr '' team reel fake'' did not have any cut offs----we are using 550lbs to 1000 lb mono sliding traces that are 30 yard plus and 150 yards on 200 lb topshot and 130 lb main line-----using straight 200lb mono is interesting---how much 200lb line William can you get on your 14/0----
i know the braid users swear by it---but its just a weak link-----200 braid vs 200lb mono just isn't a contest---the mono wins when its come to getting cut off everytime----
one of the things i have alway done is to pick out the best sharkers and copy them----jd hammer--william-- troy--matzy--are just a couple of sharker that come to mind and they all pretty much use heavy mono----
cut offs are probley the # one reason big sharks live to another day in this ''pull of war game'' we all play
sharkin ''heavy mono'' sonny
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if you really wanna go over board put straight 900-1200 mono on the reel i know a guy in Ft lauderdale that has 600lb braid buts its $9.50 per/yrd me personally if im really serious about catching the biggest of the big i have a trash can with aprox 800ft of 5/8" rope 30 ft of cable and 5ft of chain with a 30 mustad hook that rig can stop a boat ( i've done it ) so i just tie on to the railing or bumper and wait
if you really wanna go over board put straight 900-1200 mono on the reel i know a guy in Ft lauderdale that has 600lb braid buts its $9.50 per/yrd me personally if im really serious about catching the biggest of the big i have a trash can with aprox 800ft of 5/8" rope 30 ft of cable and 5ft of chain with a 30 mustad hook that rig can stop a boat ( i've done it ) so i just tie on to the railing or bumper and wait
Not very sporting bud 
.We are sportsman and part of being a sportsman means we accept the challenge of going toe to toe with an animal on a even playing field an so any unfair advantage is not what we want."Jaws" the movie and that mindset that prevailed during that era died many years ago.Tough guys are in the UFC not out hunting sharks with a rope--that proves nothing in this sport.Try harder,try again and never give up.
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
Ive noticed there is a pattern of many hooks straigtning in this forum. I personally am thinking about taking two 20/0 King Bay Hooks Needle Eye Hooks, welding them together and forming a Hook that will not bend. I also have the new Sharkman Circle Hooks as they are super thick and bigger then the standard 20/0 by a long shot. If your going to spend the money, you might as well spend it on all the components not just the line.
After mulling it over and listening to peoples thoughts and ideas I have put together this All Purpose Big Shark Rig for those who are interested. This rig is still a work in progress yet Disassembles Quickly and can be shaped for any Large Size Bait. I do not know how assembly and dissasembly will be affected over time by rust. The Design involves two of Johns Shark-man Hooks and is created for a 4 foot Radius Ray or larger bait. The Shape of this rig can be altered quick to customize rig through any Large Size Bait. The straight clevis used allows for the Hooks to Freely Move Around and detach quickly if necessary.
NOTE: Above Rig in Length is exactly 5 Foot 7; The length of Red Portion of each Bait Chain connected to the field clevis leading to the bottom of the Hook is 3 foot.The entire apperatus weighs aproximately 6 to 9 pounds.
My UC Custom Gladiator Rod matched with its accurate ATD Platinum 130 loaded with 1,500 yards of white 200lb Power Pro Line and 300 yards of 200lb Blue Diomond Mono is deadlifting unassisted a 50lb old school Weight. I cant wait to land some sharks with it.
There are two purposes I can figure for this type of Rig. From What I have Seen and researched most Giant Aggressive Sharks such as the Tiger, Bull Shark, and Great White in the 13 Foot Range are afraid of nothing and Hone in on Food as opportunistic feeders, and are curious by nature and tend to be drawn in by unusual Noises (Chains Rattling), and quite frankly are not put off my metal signatures in the water. Point in case a video consisting of a Tiger Shark eating a metal plate of which is just one example of many caught on video. The Rig is designed to thread the Chains and conceal them inside to bait the Bait. Mind you the bait may be an 80lb Tuna, a 4 Foot Radius Ray, or an 6 - 8 Foot Tarpon. The Shark Im looking for will devour this bait in about four to five leasure chomps. I recall a 13-14 Foot Great White Shark Scarfing down 6 to 8 80lb Tuna on Shark Week. That size of Bait will draw in Big agressive Sharks who will not allow a little chain link stop it from chowing down. For that size of Bait the aperatus pictured below is justified. Still havnt thought through the Bait Rigging Needle, however a piece of 550 Cord tied to the Chain fed through the bait may work just fine. Another thing I like about the Rig is the Shark-man Circle Hooks are also interchangeable with 20/0 7758 King Bay Jays or any other hook which have a bigger Gap then the shark man Hooks.
Above is a 20/0 Needle Eye 7758 Bay King Hook and a SharkMan Hook.
From my understanding when people use 200lb Mono the Line usually holds out however the problem is with the Hooks either Straightening or the Leader Wire getting gnawed through during the fight. My Goal is to eliminate all that and have a strong all go around setup. Mind you the Hooks and Leader Must be proportionate to the bait being used. A 80lb Tuna, or a 6 foot Tarpon, or a Giant 4 Foot Radius Ray will indeed put this setup in proportion. The Swivel Clevis used on this rig is too small and not strong enough however is placed on the rig for illustration purposes. A sturdy Double Eye Bolt Swivel Clevis for a quick field assembly such as this to attach the far side end of the cable leader to the Rig would be ideal for this setup. Furthermore, the quick release allows for a quick detachment the so the entire bait end of the Rig can be stored in a walk in Freezer without having to take the bait off. In this way reassembly is simple for the next upcoming fishing trip. Just re attach the cable to the rig and cinch Giant Zip-ties around the Bait to compensate for thawing and your set to go. When storing a bait that size it will most likely demand storing it in a walk in freezer.
Ok well here is the Rig. This is still a work in progress feel free to point out weak points as Im sure there are many and please add suggestions for improvements. I feel a hungry aggressive Large Shark will Eat anything worthy of a meal Chains and All so if possible lets not get wrapped around this as a discussion point. I don't think it would matter much if Plastic Shrink Wrap, or Electrical Tape was wrapped around the Chains however it could. At this point experimentation is the name of the game. Anyways Here are some Photos to get a better idea of the Rig I am talking about. Note the Cable would be attached to the Double Eye Bolt Swivel, or Double Swivel Clevis.
Rig Spread Eagle Needing 30 Foot 1,050 lb Cable Attatched
Double Swivel Clevis Contraption
Field Clevis
http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/i35 ... 1347403584
[img]
The above Image is of The 20/0 King Bay 7538 Needle Eye Hook in comparison to the 16/0 3986 AD Mustad Hook. Note the Size Difference. Both are Super Huge Hooks for Targeting Monster Sharks.[img]
Sharkman Hooks
sorry but i highly doubt a big hammer is going to hit that, it doesnt look natural, and its full of metal
sorry but i highly doubt a big hammer is going to hit that, it doesnt look natural, and its full of metal
Ill bet if I were to bury this leader in a Tarpon simuler to the one your sporting in your Picture it would likely Draw interest and hook into a monster GW, Tiger or Bull. Perhaps your right about the Hammer though.
i fish 200lbs cortland dacron on my 14/0, no serious abrasion and ive fished it during the summer...i got about 800 or more yards on there when i wet packed it....
-ONLY BAIT SWIMS