Selecting the correct hook size is a necessary part of shark fishing, and selecting the correct hook size will ensure that you can successfuly catch a shark. If the hook is too small for the shark species you are target, the shark may pull at the fish hook and pull it out of it’s mouth. However, if the hook is too large for the bait you are using, it may scare the shark away from your line.
Different species of shark has different size of mouths and different behaviors when feeding. Consequently, you should choose the hook you select based off the type of shark you are trying to catch. For example, if you are after smaller shark species like nurse sharks or reef sharks, you need hooks with fine point.
Pick the Right Hook and Gear for Shark Fishing
For larger species like bull sharks and tiger sharks, you need hooks with a larger gap in them. There are different types of hooks that can be used when shark fishing. The two most common type are circle hooks and J-hooks.
Many people prefer circle hooks for shark fishing because designers design them in a way so that they will self-set into the corner of the sharks mouth. This reduce the chance that the shark will get gut-hooked and reduces the difficulty of releasing the shark back into the ocean. With J-hooks, however, you have to pull on the fishing line to set the hook.
The risk of deep penetration into the sharks organs is more higher with these hooks. Many regulations require the use of circle hooks to increase the survival of the shark. The bait you use will determine the type of hook that you must use and the type of bait that will work with the hook that you select.
If you are using a small piece of bait, such as a chunk of bluefish, you must use a hook that is large enough to hold the bait but not so large that it will be visible to the shark. If you are using a larger bait, such as a whole ray or a whole jack, you will need to use a larger hook so that it can be buried in the shark mouth when it is fighting with the fishing line. If the hook and the bait you use do not match, the shark may not commit to the bait or may be able to pull the bait off of the hook before you are able to land the shark.
The leaders for your fishing line must also be appropriate for the type of shark you are targeting. You must use wire leaders because shark skin is very abrasive and will quickly eat through the monofilament lines. People use thin 49-strand cable for sharks that tend to move and thrash in there catch like hammerhead sharks.
For the giant shark species, people recommend stiffer piano wire in your fishing line leader. The size of the leader should match the strength of the fishing line so that it will not break while the shark is fighting with your line. An undersized leader will break the line while the shark is fighting.
Using an oversized leader will reduce the sensitivity of your line to the movement of the shark. Depending on the environment in which you are fishing for sharks, you may need to use different gear when fishing. If you are fishing in the surf, you may encounter bull sharks so using heavy circle hooks and heavy cable leaders will be necessary.
Off the coast where Mako sharks live, you will need even larger hooks to secure the acrobatic Mako sharks. If you are fishing from a kayak, you may need to use lighter gear to catch the smaller lemon shark species. Each environment contains different types of sharks.
Therefore, you should determine the hook, leader, and bait you use according to the specific area in which you plan on fishing for sharks. Finally, you must ensure that you follow the regulations for shark fishing in your specific area. Many areas use inline circle hooks and do not allow the use of treble hooks.
You will also need to have dehooking tools and bolt cutters. To ensure that the shark does not spend too much time out of the water, you should use tools to remove the hook from the sharks mouth as quick as possible. By using the correct hook, the correct leader, and the correct tools, you will increase your chances of catching a shark and increasing the chances of the shark surviving being hooked and removed from the water.
You should of checked the local laws first to avoid any fine. Alot of people forgets about this part.