Blacktip Specific Leader

I'd like to be able to go as light as I can with the wire leader, not sure if I really need 480lb. 49 strand wire. maybe it's OK to use more like a 250-275lb. multi strand wire leader?

You have the right idea, but since you were looking for opinions, I offer my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth.

Cable/Wire - I would recommend going more towards 18 inches over 15 inches. I tend to use the steel portion of my leader as an extension of my hook, especially when I use a bigger bait. So having that extra length of "bite line" is a good idea (in my humble opinion). If you're worried about 480 pound test cable being too big, you're probably right. Imagine what happens when a shark bites through half of it. You end up with a 240 pound leader. So, since you're targeting 100 to 150 pound shark, you could get away with a 200 to 300 pound test leader. I'd go with 350 pounds, just to pad your estimates, but whatever works. I usually buy some 1/16 inch steel cable from Grainger.com. Works ok.

Shock Leader - If you weren't casting your baits, I'd say go as long as you want. All that abrasion resistance will only do you good when you're fighting a beast. But all that length can be clumsy when you're trying to cast over 7 feet of leader. Since surf casters have to compromise between casting ability and fighting ability, this is going to be your decision. I'd go with the 6 feet of shock leader, but if you have a hard time casting it, don't be shy about cutting it shorter. Eventually you will find what works best for you.

Tie it all together with 350 pound copper swivels or 400 pound stainless swivels (smaller). For any snap swivels MAKE SURE YOU USE COAST LOCKS NOT DUO LOCKS!!! Google image these two swivels so you know the right stuff to get. One thing you didn't address is a method of attaching a sinker to the leader. Once you got that sorted, you're well on your way!

I use a spinner for shark fishing with the BlacktipH rig. Once made, seems way overkill for surf. I guess one can modify it to suit their needs. That's what I did. The rig appears designed more for casting and pulling sharks up on the sand. He's caught tons of Blacktips with it. Has a video online showing how it's made. The sinker connection is fixed, says that helps with setting the circle hook???

Anyhow, I just eliminated the last swivel and reduced the mono from 500# down to a 200# wind-on leader with a loop knot. Now I can cast it to the moon with my 12' Ocean Master.

Man, blacktipninja and zcoker,

Thanks a MIL for your help and input! This helps a lot, and I'm going to get to buying some of the supplies right away.

Zcoker, I see you mentioned the 12' Ocean Master Rod. I am buying a 12' surf rod for my shark fishing here soon. One of my considerations is the Ocean Master, because I read a lot of positive reviews about it, and I like the price on it.. But I have a lot of people who surf fish a lot say, if you're really going to get into surf fishing for sharks, then I should be buying this $300 Rod or this $400 rod, because it will cast so much further and perform so much better.

A couple of the rods that had been mentioned are the Custom Barrett Rods, and Also these surf rods called: Surf Angler Rods made by a guy named Steve Austin.

Do these Rods "REALLY" perform "THAT" SOOOO much better than the Ocean Master that it justifies buying them. At the very most I will be fishing in Florida about a total of 4 weeks a year. I normally take 2, two week vacations a year down there. I mean really, how much farther can these other rods cast farther. I can't see it being that much more.

Thanks again blacktip ninja, and zcoker for all your help!

Ray

I had the 11 footer but traded it in for the 12 footer. Bass Pro gave me no problems on the swap.

OM 12 is a beast of a rod. It is big, thick, can through a brick, or anything you put to it. It is a bait and wait rod. It takes a big reel (I use Lethal 100). It will pull anything from the surf. It is by no means a low end rod. So to answer your question, "no", you don't need a $400 rod to fish a few weeks a year. It all depends on what you are comfortable with, or what you can afford. Don't get me wrong, the OM 12 is not for everyone. It is as I said a beast of a rod, takes a lot of muscle to load up. Other than that, take a look at it and if it "feels" right, then go for it. Got nothing to loose and it will loose nothing for you )