How to Shark Fish from Land for Beginners

Where to start, I can write a book on this topic. Shark fishing can vastly differ depending on your location, budget, and target. For the sake of this article, we are going to assume that you are interested in getting into the sport of Land-Based Shark Fishing (LBSF) and are looking to get started. Although techniques differ depending on the area you are fishing; we will focus on the sandy beaches from South Texas to the Carolinas. The methods here are the most ambiguous and basic.

Getting Started

Shark fishing is dangerous, from rip currents and extreme bait deployment methods to large, heavy energetic fish full of teeth. You will need to have appropriate equipment for the job. Despite the dangers, social media and Shark Week have people coming in droves to try their hand at shark fishing. What used to be considered an underground sport has recently garnered attention as a relatively cheap entry into Big Game fishing.

While the learning curve and cost of entry are steep, we aim to simplify and speed the process up. Remember, after everything you learn here; Shark Fishing is a buddy sport. Always partner up with a friend, as a great weekend can turn into a nightmare in a heartbeat.

Shark Species

When beginning Shark fishing, the typical sharks you will run into or target are surprisingly diverse.

Blacktips

Blacktip sharks are so popular because they’re one of the most common land-based catches. Since they stay relatively small (6-7ft) you can target them with medium tackle, and they’ll provide a sporty fight. Often confused with Spinner Sharks – a quick glance at the anal fin will tell the difference. Blacktip’s anal fin is white, while Spinner Sharks are black. 

Bull sharks

Bull Sharks are a species that is temperature-dependent. They enjoy mid to low 70-degree water and can be caught in estuaries while pupping. One of the most popular sharks to catch on a jetty or in an inlet.  Extremely predictable species to target with tide changes. Identified by a black “halo” around the tail, and rounded blunt nose. Another identifier is the teeth are near symmetrically triangular.

Sand Tigers

A shark that, unlike its fight, gets huge. Oftentimes nicknamed “sandbag” due to its lack of fight. Smaller cast-out equipment is sufficient to target Sand Tiger sharks. Perhaps the most popular shark to catch on the east coast. Having a mean menacing look, you will be surprised at how docile they really are. Easily identified by their flat cone-shaped snout and very narrow teeth. May be confused with a lemon shark to the novice eye, but darker body color and position of first dorsal fin over first anal fin are telling tales that it indeed is a Sand Tiger.

Lemon Shark

Lemon sharks are inshore species that prefer reefs, mangroves, and docks. Known for their flexibility and ferocious feeding, be careful when handling, as lemon sharks have the capability of biting their own tail. Getting surprisingly large, it is not uncommon to encounter a Lemon Shark in the 8ft range. Can be identified by their yellow skin, 2 dorsal fins, and a blunted narrow snout.

Sandbar

Sandbar Sharks are extremely popular in the wintertime in the southern portions of the United States. In the Northeastern parts of the United States, Sandbars are often mixed with Sand Tigers in the summertime. Like blacktips, they get 6-7ft on average and provide a sporty fight on medium tackle. Easily identified with their large dorsal fin, interdorsal ridge, and short pointed snout.

Where do sharks live?

Anywhere there is saltwater, there are sharks. The typical tale of fisherman “baiting” sharks to an area is primarily a myth. While there is a chance to get a shark on just about any beach, inlet, or bay system, there are areas where sharks will tend to congregate. Look for Cuts within sandbars on the beach and fish the “guts” in-between sandbars. If there is abundant bait around, there will be sharks. Fishing jetties and inlets are also popular and productive areas, and it’s not uncommon to cast to 20-50ft of water. Below is a picture that depicts how to read the beach. Where the waves break are the sandbars. Inbetween the beaks the water is deeper, thus the term “guts”.

Weather and Patterns

Sharks are incredibly predictable fish. With some patience and studying, you can effectively tell when and where the shark will be. Water temperature probably plays the most significant role. You’ll most likely be unsuccessful in targeting bull sharks and sandbar sharks on the same trip, as they prefer different climates. In my area, I have noticed that heavy rains and extreme freshwater runoff seem to kill the bite for a little while.

Habits seem to change with varying weather and locations. I recommend you take a journal with you and record every catch you make. You’ll want to focus on the following:

1. Area
2. Atmospheric pressure
3. Weather systems (i.e., Prefrontal, post-hurricane, building storm over water)
4. Water temperature
5. Wind shifts
6. Water conditions

It is important to remember that it takes many hours fishing to start dialing in when and where to fish. While recording your catches isn’t the quickest way to gather information, it is the most reliable. It’s also going to help you become a better, more efficient angler.

Leaders and Gear

• Leaders

The most popular leaders are what could be described as extremely long and heavy-duty Carolina Rigs. Specific styles of swivels and leader strength vary between people. Still, I prefer the most oversized swivel I can find (12/0) as the main swivel. The swivel gives you something to hold onto if need be while landing your catch. Then 45-60ft of 800lb mono, to another smaller swivel, and a snap swivel, then 3-6ft of cable or wire to a Sandbar Tackle Big Game or Long Shank hook (18/0-24/0).

Different style specifics are personal preferences, but for starting, I’d recommend you buy a couple of leaders from a reputable manufacturer and see what fits your style.

Click Here For Leaders, Click Here for Hooks. 

• Rods

We prefer rods that are Moderate Action, 60-80 line rated, and 8.5-10ft in length for your basic shark fishing. If it’s within budget, we’d recommend getting a rod built. Although entry prices for a custom rod start around $300, it will last a lifetime with proper care. You can also get a rod made that will accept a larger reel when you get more serious and start targeting larger sharks.

• Reels

While a Penn Senator can still land sharks, recent advancements in technology have turned shark fishing into a lever drag dominant sport. While you’re not able to finetune your drag with a precision of a star drag, a lever drag will not only put out higher drag numbers but will outlast star drags as well. Our best recommendation for affordable entry, with reliability, is a two-speed Penn squall 50w.

• Line

The last major component to gear Is line. There is not much detail to go into here other than the high cost of hollow core. In my opinion, it’s worth the long-term cost of maintenance. The ability to splice line is the true definition of savings, and knotless connections mean you’re always at 100%-line strength. The brand is personal preference as most brands are made in the same factory. Mamoi diamond, Jerry Brown, and Power Pro have all been historical favorites. Recently though, Tight Line Braid has been making its way around and becoming the most popular brand within the shark fishing realm.

80lb braid to 50 yards or so of 120lb mono will work well for getting started shark fishing.

• Releasing equipment

More or less, an essential list of what you need to efficiently and safely release a shark include:

1. Bolt cutters
2. De-hooker
3. Tail rope

Make sure you check with your local regulations, as some states have written laws about required gear size and release equipment when specifically targeting sharks.

Bait

A rule to follow is the fresher, the better. A popular method to getting bait for shark fishing is to “work up the food chain.” The serious anglers will have a dedicated deep freeze to store extra bait caught and dedicate fishing trips to nothing but catching bait. Here are a couple of different types of baits you can use.

• Finfish

Bait like Whiting, Bonita, and even black drum are popular. They’re softer, so they require you to check and change more often. Effective but susceptible to crabs.

• Rays

The most popular rays to use are Cownose and Southern Stingray. Often really hardy bait that freezes well. You can make 4 or 5 baits out of a large stingray.

Bait Deployment

• Kayak

The tried and true most reliable way to get in front of sharks is with a kayak. You put your bait in the back, have your fishing partner hold your reel on the beach in free spool, then kayak to where you want your bait. Drop your weight first, then drop your bait. This method ensures that nothing will tangle up as the bait falls to the ocean floor.

• Drone

The following most popular method is Drones. High cost, Payload capacity, historical unreliability, and FAA restriction zones have been the leading factors that have kept drone use lower than Kayaking. While the cons sound alarming, there is a list of pros like continuing fishing in extremely rough surf, decreasing the setup and bait deployment time, and increasing the angler’s safety. We have found a reliable drone, and if it’s something you’d like to add to your arsenal, check them out here.

• Bait cannons

Best suited for spin cast fishing, a Bait cannon will launch your baits up to a couple of hundred yards from the beach. Bait cannons require bait-prep that typically involves pre-rigging baits then freezing them in a ball. Bait launchers use compressed air to “fire” the bait out, stemming from the old potato launchers. If purchasing a bait cannon, make sure it is pneumatic and not combustion. Check with your local laws on the legality. If you accidentally buy a combustion launcher – you may have to register it as a firearm!

• Aquacat RC boat

Aquacat is an RC boat with a bait deployment attachment on the back. You can use them just about everywhere a kayak can be used and take the danger out of physically kayaking your bait. The Aquacat can drag much larger baits out. It is also self-righting if flipped and has a return to home function. Budget is the most significant deciding factor in Aquacats. While not always very reliable, it has minor limitations regarding RC bait deployment methods.

Setting the Hook and Fighting

When you set the bait and come back to shore, you will have your drag turned down to just where there is enough pressure for the current not to pull the line off the reel. When a shark bites, 1 of 2 things will happen, it will either bite and run in, making your line drop to the floor or run out, making that iconic drag-pulling buzz. Each situation is different, so let’s touch on both.

• Running in

After you see your line slack up, you want to catch up as quickly as possible. If using a two-speed, go to high gear and reel fast. Any time your line is slack is a chance for the shark to “spit” the hook. I like to increase the drag just a little until I catch back up with the fish. Once I can keep a little resistance, I drop the drag back down and let the fish run while getting situated, allowing the shark time to get the whole bait in its mouth. When you’re comfortable and ready for an extended fight, ramp up the drag and reel until the shark starts pulling drag. 

• Running out

Suppose you hear the clicker on your reel going. In that case, I’ll typically stand next to the rod, leaving it in the holder while getting situated, listening and watching to see if the shark is going to turn around. If it does, reel until you get caught back up like listed above. Otherwise, grab the rod. If you’re confident that the shark had time to fit the whole bait in the mouth, increase your drag and reel.

• Fighting

Sharks are hard fighters, some species even fighting to their death. It is paramount to reel in your fish as quickly as possible. Keep constant steady pressure on the shark while it runs. As soon as the shark turns around, work quickly to gain back as much line as possible. Practicing this high-energy, fast-paced method of reeling in your shark will lay good groundwork for when you DO get into a larger, less hardy species. You never know what will bite, and it is only a matter of time before one swims by your bait. 

Release

Releasing sharks is a crucial step where you have to keep in mind your safety and the sharks. If you’re using a heavy mono leader, you can grab up towards the top swivel and pull the fish to a water depth comfortable working in. If the fish is larger, or you don’t have much confidence in your hookset, put a tail rope on the shark. Tail ropes are an excellent way of not only securing your catch but creating some distance between you and its mouth.

Remember that you always want to leave the shark in the water, facing the ocean, allowing the waves to continue feeding oxygen to the fish. Smaller sharks 2-6inches of water is fine. We try to keep the whole gill area covered with larger sharks. 

Keeping your shark

While we advocate for catch and release, Blacktip can be excellent table fare if prepared properly. If you plan to keep one to eat, make sure you bleed out and gut the shark as soon as possible. Letting it sit in the ice chest full of blood gives you that ammonia smell since sharks excrete their urine through their skin.

Laws

Shark fishing is not legal everywhere. Make sure you look into your local laws and regulations. Some states require an additional shark fish permit. Others regulate what tackle you can and cannot use. Shark fishing is also very taboo in certain areas, even if legal. Please exercise caution on when and where you’re fishing. Avoid crowds, tourist areas, and fishing during the day, depending on where you are.