Howdy guys and Gals,
I am from the Chicago suburbs, and have been down in Pompano Beach on Vacation for about a week now. I have been asking around at bait shops to see if there is anywhere around that I can surf fish for small sharks on the shore. When I say small I mean like smaller blacktips under 5 feet. But the bait shops all told me that we are not allowed to fish off pompano beach, that it is illegal. They said I could fish off the pier or in Hillsboro inlet but that it wasn't worth fishing those spots because they say are SO overfished.
I'm willing to drive up to an hour away. The closer the better. Wondering if anyone knows where I could possible surf fish for smaller sharks in the area. And what type of rig and bait would I need to set up?
It would make my trip all the worthwhile if I could catch a shark of any kindor size before I leave, if that's even possible now. I own a 7' Medium Heavy action Rod rated for 15lb.-30lb. test line. And I brought down two different reels. A Tekota 600 with 30lb test mono on it. And a Corvalus 400 with 65lb. Sufix 832 Braid on it.
Thankyou all very much, and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
You have a TON of options North of you. Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Singer Island, all have hot spots. Drive up A1A right along the shore and see if anything catches your attention. And post pics if you make a catch! 
Thankyou BlacktipNinja for your reply. Greatly appreciate it man! Was wondering if anyone in the area would be willing to meet up for some shore shark fishing since I really don't much of the in's and out's of it right now. I know a ton about freshwater fishing, but not to much about shark fishing. I am willing to listen, and am a really an easy goin' person to get along with. I just love fishing, and would like to get into shark fishing, and be able to try some fishing before I head back home next Wednesday.
Thanks again everyone!
Ray Nickel
willowcatfish@gmail.com
I actually went out on Pompano Beach tonight just before dusk. I used cut Goggle Eye Chunks and casted it out as far as I could. I used 3/0 and 5/0 circle hooks baited with 2"X2'' and 3"X3" chunks of the goggle eye with wire leaders and 5oz. of weight. I was out for about 3 hours with no bites and came in. Again I was trying for some smaller sharks. I have about 3 more days of vacation left, and I'm going to keep on trying. If there is anything that I am doing that needs correction, I'd appreciate any advice.
Thankyou all, and hope everyone had a great 4th of July!
Peace!
Ray
Fished Pompano again tonight and caught two small nurse sharks about 3 ft. each. I used 8/0 circle hooks with a wire leader. Goggle Eye Heads for cut bait. I only casted 50 yards away, so it wasn't to far from shore.
I fish pompano and I have talked to life guards, cops and fished in front of the FWCC, you can shark fish all you want. Just don't do it by the muni beach during guarded hours. Unfortunately I will not be hittin the beach this week or I'd meet up with you.
You can fish from North Ocean park, like a block north of 14st causeway. and you can fish from 6th thru 8th street, south of atlantic blvd, off briny ave. From north ocean park, you can walk north to the inlet.
Look through my reports last year, you will be surprised what you can get off a casted bait 
Thanks a ton thegucci311! Greatly appreciate it! Tonight I'm going to try a little deeper and hopefully catch a small Blacktip! Got my cut bonita ready!
Have a good one man!
Ray
I went out last night just north of commercial pier and got a couple of bites but couldn't hook up. Both the bites came on fresh blue runner an the larger chunk of bonito we put out wasn't touched, but we didn't fish for that long. You definitely don't need to put that baits our too far tho, I find 50-75yds to be the best are and thats where our bites came from last night. Good luck tonight 
Thankyou Tarponhunter, you Rock man!
I will be sure to do that tonight, and see how she goes.
Have a good one!
Ray
Here's my Nurse shark photos. No where near the size of the sharks on this website, but since they were the first salt water fish I have ever caught I am well pleased.
Great job! It may be small but you gotta start somewhere, and I recognize that wall behind you
Thanks Tarponhunter, have a great weekend and take care!
Nice fish! I'd be happy with a catch like that! Thanks for sharing!
No prob Blacktip!
Being new to fishing the beaches and surf, I noticed the bouys lined out in the water. I was at Pompano beach when I saw them, so I don't don't know if they are placed differently at different beaches.
Are those Bouys supposed to mark distance from beach, like a hundred yards or something, or are they there for another reason? I'm just asking to know if the mean something distance wise that would help me when shark fishing.
Thanks all, and have a great weekend!
You Floridians have a great state.
Ray
Yah the buoys are to mark the point where boat can't go (a swimmers area) and all the buoys should be about 100yds from shore but they do get moved from storms and such.