[Hammy4260]

The Fiance' and I had a blast catching everything that swims last year down on the Eastern Shore of Virginia this past summer. We plan to go again this year, but she really wants to catch a shark. We saw several big ones last year, but only managed rays.

Can anyone offer advice on catching sharks down near Kiptopeke? General Locations (not looking for anyones GPS), baits, rigs, tides, etc? The only thing is we would have to say inshore of the bridge, generally close to land because we don't have a big boat. She is kinda fearful of the ocean anyway.

We don't care what kind of sharks, just bigger than the 16inch dogfish we catch in Ocean City. Last year we fished near the Fisherman's Island bridge and like I said, we saw some sharks, but we are just looking for more of a sure thing (not that there is ever such a thing in fishing). Thanks for the help folks.

Matt in Salisbury

 

[bryan g]

last year i had luck just south of the bridge next to fishermans island in 25'to35' of water.i dont know what type of shark they were at around 40-48 inches.we used fresh bunker chum and fresh bluefish as bait.

 

[drewzim]

My girlfriend wanted to do the same last summer. We tried up near Plantation Light and didn't do squat. We ended up doing pretty good about a 1/2 mile off the beach just around the point. Probably caught 6 sharks in about an hour and a half up to around 48". Also caught a few on eels while trying to get a cobia off the 9 Foot Shoal. Actually a PITA then.

 

[27 sailfish]

9 foot shoal holds a lot of sharks from 2-6 feet long and some big skates/rays.Slack current is best with fresh fillets of Menhadden or Bluefish a good bait.

The locals call it "critter fishing" .

 

[Russ D]

As long as you "call' it cobia fishin you arer sure to catch all the sharks you can handle around 9 foot shoal in the spring.

 

[rocksteady]

As long as you "call' it cobia fishin you arer sure to catch all the sharks you can handle around 9 foot shoal in the spring.

:hysterical::roflguy: Aint that the truth !:yes: Sometimes ya just can't keep the critters at bay !:yes:

 

[hippie]

Sharks at 9 ft shoal...I thought the water was not salty enough for sharks there, except maybe for Bull sharks. Bob

 

[Hammy4260]

Thanks for the help...

guys. Is 9 ft shoal part of the Lattimer Shoals? or is it ocean side of the bridge?

 

[Al B]

The mouth of the bay is the largest shark nursery in North America.

 

[27 sailfish]

Hippie - the mouth of the bay is very salty , it is really the ocean.Some sharks come into the shallows to give birth to their young.Much beter odds of survival then out in the deep ocean.

Most sharks reproduce slowly and only 5-20 pups at a time.By dropping the young sharks in shallow waters - there is far less risk of them getting eaten.

Lemons,Sand bars,Bulls are all common in late spring at the mouth of the bay.

The Bull is the only shark that will venture far up our bay.Some have been caught near the bay bridge.

 

[Russ D]

I forgot to add. No matter how many skates or rays you catch, do not entertain the idea of trying to eat one.

 

[Hammy4260]

No keeping for me...

Though I have eaten a dogfish before and the ocasional mako steak at a restaurant, I just fish for them for thrills and a pic. Alsways a safe release. Seen enough blood in my day!

 

[Russ D]

Mako, Thresher, and doggie are very tasty. It's the sakets and rays that aren't worth the trouble.

 

[hippie]

I was wondering about 9 ft shoal. I thought you guys meant the 9 ft shoal at the mouth of the Potapsco River. Near 7 ft and 6 ft shoals. That is why I questioned the salinty factor. Thanx, Bob

 

[ultangler]

You migth want to check out Capt. Mark Sampson's book, Modern Sharking (Geared Up Publications fishing books). He's been running shark trips for decades, and poured a ton of good how-to info into the book, as well as how to pick areas for sharking.

 

[Seahunter]

Lots of big Sandbar and Dusky sharks caught off the beach on AI in July and August.

They will take just aout any kind of bait. Using a whole skate for bait is the ticket if you want really big sharks. A kayak comes in handy for dropping off big baits out over the bar.

Take extra rods and reels. The chances of you tangling with one big enough to spool you is pretty good.

 

[Whitehair]

To echo Seahunter;
We got into some decent sharks in the AI surf last August. We were using clipped blues on 5/0 circle hooks, and 80 Lb. Mono Bite-Gaurds, nothing great, maxed out around 3-4', but plenty of fun on light tackle...

Matt in Salisbury too...

 

[Russ D]

Well you could always charter me in the spring and I'll show you some real sharkin. Kite's, blues, and lots of blood on the 20 line.