ESVA Shoals... Sharks

[Hammy4260]

Any sharks in and around the shoals near CBBT, Fisherman Island, etc? My buddies and I are heading down this weekend to hopefully wrestler with some big fish. Drum/Cobia would be nice of course, but when you put the chum out, generally sharks are what show up, which we don't mind! Anyone care to share their idea of where we could anchor up to have a shot at any of these fishing targets, and perhaps all three? We will be fishing, crab, clam, and bunker. I have bunker chum and crab chum!

[field trip]

i was out off fishermans island just outside the breakers close to the lighthouse and got my share of rays and sharks there in about 9 ft of water. i then moved up to buoy 10 into deeper water about 25 ft and you have a much better chance of eliminating those pesky sharks to trade for some big ass reds and blacks. the man in the brown suit has made an appearance but i think hook ups on cobia are very scarce now. if you have chum, weigh it down so it sits on the bottom off the bow of the boat.

[South Paw]

I think Field Trip is talking about Smith Island Inlet. Plenty of small sharks there. Put a spot or croaker under a float and watch the float go crazy as a shark approaches and takes the bait. Just like Madfin. As far as reds go 9ft isn't even near any of the shoals out there ???? Your chances are better if you get yourself in 3-5 ft in front of a shoal. Learn your way around out there and pick an incoming tide especially for a green horn. First 3 or 4 pics in my album are red drum caught recently in that area, all citations. Good luck, be careful.

Good Fishin

[Hammy4260]

Were these sharks "biters" or just dogfish... Not that it matters, as they are all in good fun to catch! What size are we talking? I just want to know if we should take some wire rigs or not!

When people say they are fishing "Fisherman's Island," do they generally mean out in front of the island on the Ocean Side or in closer towards the bridge? Should we be nearest the big breakers or kinda in between?

[Timbo]

You might see some other boats out there in the general area to give you an idea where to start. Why not try both places? That's what I'd do. Good Luck!

[kapoc]

Just as a reminder the VMRC has a closed season on most coastal sharks that is hidden in the regs ( quoted below)

It shall be unlawful for any person to take, harvest, land, or possess any blacktip, bull, great
hammerhead, lemon, nurse, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, spinner or tiger
shark, from May 15 through July 15 of any calendar year.

[Hammy4260]

just get em close enough for a pic, and then safely release. We are not looking to kill anything!

[South Paw]

Having worked professionally on a shark charter boat. I have learned not to take unnecessary actions. Why do it? Release them at the side of the boat. It's safer and no laws broken.

Good Fishin

[Hammy4260]

for the info guys. Keep the good stuff (how to's, where to's, when to's) coming!