West Palm Beach Spinner Sharks

[msaba]

Figures I hit Florida when the weather is finally better in Baltimore! Anyway, my wife and I took a quick 3 day vacation for our ten year anniversary without the kids. We stayed in Delray Beach, and although I did not bring my rods for the first time im my life, I did book a half-day trip with guide Scott Hamilton while my wife was hitting the spa... I've heard alot about the spinner sharks and fortunately for me they were still hanging around as this is traditionally near when they vacate. The spinners are all over the beach, just heard a report of some women bathers throwing some chickens on strings to them! Quickly caught a few blue runners and a spanish mack, tied them up and threw them overboard. and while Scott was telling me to take a practice cast with the TFO 14 wt TiCr, as soon as my orange whistler hit the water, a 80 lb spinner grabbed out--these fish are remarkable--runs are typically 250-350 yards, with incredible 'spinning' jumps. then its a bulldog fight in close, we were fishing with 50 lb leader with 12 inches of #6 wire, and even with this stout leader, a fish was capable of breaking off with a shake of his head if appropriate line was not given. Caught 4 out of seven hooked, and I was pretty beat, called it a day and got back to the condo on a timely basis for once :> Was impressed with the TFO rod, fishing with a 50 lb leader allows you to put just a little stress on the rod, wasn't to bad casting for a pool-stick 14 wt either! Scott Hamilton was a real pleasure to fish with (thanks AM Johnston) and I learned alot of valuable tips from my short trip. I f anyone is in Florida early next spring, I highly recommend flyfishing for spinners with Scott.

Mark

[Capt Frank]

Sharks always saved the day for me when I was guiding OC, esp when the blues and Tunas were gone. They are lots of fun, no matter the rod, but can get real nasty at the boat, but thats why they got guides.[grin]

[Cutter]

Very Cool Mark! Want to catch some shad?

[OneMoreCast]

Msaba,
What reel did you match up with the tfo?
That looks like some serious fun. Sharks love orange and red eh?

[msaba]

Capt Frank--haven't heard much about targeting sharks, but in terms of willingness to hit a fly and put a big bend in your rod, can't imagine more fun. The aerial displays are wild.

Mark, I may try to sneak off later this week for shad, let me know your schedule.

OMC--we were using the redington breakwater, I've heard some good things about it, but after seeing it in action, might need to git me one. The orange shade on that fly is 'life jacket' orange. If you saw those sharks hit that thing while dead still you would definitely throw away your old lifejackets! I was going to send Scott a little GI Joe action figure with a lifevest to throw and see how long it took before it was crushed :>

Mark

[spilunkr]

Cool, sharks are awesome on a fly rod. I hooked a bonnethead shark a couple years ago in Sarasota Bay. I was fishing for specks with 15 lb tippet at the time. The four foot shark hit a three inch yellow/white clouser. It was a fun fight while it lasted.

Guy

[AM Johnston]

Glad you were able to get out with Scott and that you found some spinners. They are quite a show!

[The Old Man]

That is so cool...

[AlexT]

Whoa. 300 yds. ***Eyes Glazing Over***