Rocket Fishing Rod

Rocket Fishing Rod
Letters to the editor published Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010
We realize we’re “outsiders” but the rejection article of a “free” 1/4-acre park for the Port (of Brookings Harbor) didn’t come as a surprise (Pilot, Jan. 23).

Shark Fishing- A Brief Guide To Catch Jaws!

The movie Jaws instilled a deep fear of the mighty shark in most Americans, but game fishers aren't a bit shy about shark fishing. But before you set out on that shark fishing adventure on the open sea, there are a few things you should know.

Sharks dominate the high seas because they are the ultimate predator. They never stop moving, and they never stop looking for the next meal. And they're not too picky about what they eat, so most any bait will do. That makes them excellent prey for game fishers.

If you want to catch a shark, seek warm, not hot, waters. In the Northern Hemisphere, June is a great time for shark fishing. Later in the summer, it may be too hot for good shark fishing.

When you pack for your trip, remember that you'll need special gear. You'll need several rods and reels, enough to keep anywhere from three to five baits in the water at once. You'll need more rods than that to be sure you can rotate your gear to keep several baits out. Your spinning reel should be able to handle 300-400 yards of 40-pound test line at a minimum. A heavy-action rod of 10 feet or more is what you'll need.

The best rod is a 50-80 pound class rod. And you'll definitely want to have a harness and safety straps. Sharks are powerful creatures, and you really don't want to get pulled overboard and become the bait yourself! The best bait is chum (seen any TV lately?), and it's a mess. Be prepared to handle some pretty smelly, awful stuff if you want to do some serious shark fishing.

What species of shark are you fishing for? Different species swim at different depths and temperatures. And, of course, they vary greatly in size and power. To set a shark trap, you'll need to set your first bait at the bow rail with a flat line clip. Keep the line out of the way of other lines in the highest rocket holder. Attach the bait, and use a weight or balloon on the line, maintaining the bait at about 80 feet depth. The bait on your second rod should be set for about 60 feet, and set the rod in the trolling holder. Your third line would then be set for about 30 feet depth, using no weight or balloon, but free bait. Be sure your drags are loose so that you can hear the alert of the clicking reel once you get a bite. Color-coding your balloons is a good way to know which rod is getting some action.

Once you hook your shark, be prepared for some hard work. Shark species have different temperaments, but they'll fight hard to free themselves from your hook. Sharks frequently drag their prey down before swallowing it, so you may have to let a lot of line out and then work it back in slowly as you reel in your catch. Some sharks may run at your boat or in the opposite direction from your boat. Some will even come up near to your boat. Whatever they do, wearing a good harness will keep you safe. Be sure your harness is safely and securely attached to both the boat and your rod and reel.

When you've pulled the shark closer to the boat, you'll probably need some help. Hand-wire the shark into the boat. Hand wires are sturdy and are not likely to break, especially if they're attached to your harness or gear. But be careful not to wrap the wire around your arm or hand so you can let go of it quickly if you need to. If you plan to keep your shark, have equipment at the ready so you can gaff and rope it by its tail.

Many species of shark are endangered in today's high seas, so only keep your catch if you plan to eat it or if you think you could win a world's record. If you want a trophy, take a picture of you with your live shark and then release it. Shark fishing is an exciting adventure, but killing the shark may not be the most responsible end to the trip.

If you're an inexperienced shark fisher, it's a good idea to rely on the experience and advice of your shark fishing charter captain and crew. You'll learn a lot while gaining some valuable experience. You can also find a lot of information about shark fishing on the Internet, so do your homework. Be prepared for a challenging, exciting adventure!

About the Author

Abhishek is an avid Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fishing Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 116 Pages Ebook, "Fishing Mastery!" from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/772/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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