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Post by seabird on Dec 13, 2018 21:10:05 GMT -5
Fished for a couple hours between 4-6 pm with rising tide. Water was somewhat cloudy and the winds died down nicely around sun down. Hardly anyone fishing, pier almost deserted.
During first hour, no fish and no bites. Was starting to think I might get skunked. Figured I'd continue to try a bit past sunset. Was using sabiki and also a simple small hook and split shot rig. I caught a couple of leather jackets on the sabiki. Then I decided to fish 2 poles, I had a whole shrimp on one and the sabiki with squid on the other. Less than 5 minutes later, I had a vigorous bite on the shrimp.
Fish felt large and I figured it was a big trout, a red fish or a black drum. Turned out it was a 24 inch black tip shark. (note: that shark tasted good this evening!).
A group of people came out to resume fishing and I showed them the shark I was cleaning. Before I got done, they landed a small bonnet head. Earlier in the afternoon, they got a couple of nice sheepshead.
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Post by shadowxmas on Dec 14, 2018 13:25:19 GMT -5
Fished for a couple hours between 4-6 pm with rising tide. Water was somewhat cloudy and the winds died down nicely around sun down. Hardly anyone fishing, pier almost deserted. During first hour, no fish and no bites. Was starting to think I might get skunked. Figured I'd continue to try a bit past sunset. Was using sabiki and also a simple small hook and split shot rig. I caught a couple of leather jackets on the sabiki. Then I decided to fish 2 poles, I had a whole shrimp on one and the sabiki with squid on the other. Less than 5 minutes later, I had a vigorous bite on the shrimp. Fish felt large and I figured it was a big trout, a red fish or a black drum. Turned out it was a 24 inch black tip shark. (note: that shark tasted good this evening!). A group of people came out to resume fishing and I showed them the shark I was cleaning. Before I got done, they landed a small bonnet head. Earlier in the afternoon, they got a couple of nice sheepshead. I have never eaten shark before. Glad you got something.
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Post by ChathamAngler on Dec 14, 2018 13:44:57 GMT -5
I've only eaten Mako. How does Black Tip compare?
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Post by seabird on Dec 14, 2018 14:33:40 GMT -5
I've only eaten Mako. How does Black Tip compare? Cannot compare. Haven't tried Mako. The Black Tip has been good. Had some for dinner last night and more for lunch. That shark has lots of meat for only being a 2 footer. Here is a photo of the fish.
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Post by Mackerelman on Dec 14, 2018 15:50:18 GMT -5
Eating Shark is Great to eat. All You have to do is cook it correctly. 12 - 15 Minutes per Side. If is Rubbery to eat, then cook it a little longer. It is the "Other White Meat". No Beef Here !
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Post by seabird on Dec 17, 2018 21:51:17 GMT -5
Figured I'd tack on another report from the same area. Went out this evening from 5-615pm. Conditions were windy, mostly cloudy and chilly (upper 50s). Caught an undersized speckled trout and a butterfish on the sabiki. With the other pole I tried for shark with a fish head. But the sharks threw a curve again. I caught a small 16 inch bonnet head on the sabiki rig which was tipped with pieces of shrimp. At that point I stopped as I had enough of the winds. But at least came back with more tasty shark treats.
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Post by ChathamAngler on Dec 18, 2018 9:27:05 GMT -5
How is bonnet head compared to black tip?
And how do you prep them? Just bleed and gut them immediately when you catch them and throw it on ice? And do you steak them vs fillet?
Thinking about throwing out a larger hook to try to grab one! (although maybe I should just keep fishing shrimp on sabikis!)
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Post by grouper on Dec 18, 2018 11:43:35 GMT -5
How is bonnet head compared to black tip? And how do you prep them? Just bleed and gut them immediately when you catch them and throw it on ice? And do you steak them vs fillet? Thinking about throwing out a larger hook to try to grab one! (although maybe I should just keep fishing shrimp on sabikis!) The issue is that the bonnet head has SIGNIFICANTLY LESS meat on it than a black tip of the same or even smaller size. You’d be hard pressed to find bonnet head with the same amount of meat as even that 2ft blacktip. Not only that but they are slightly more ammonia-ish if you ask me. Here’s the trick for any shark, recipe has been passed down for generations of shark eaters: Bleed and gut upon catch, clean everything out. If you plan to continue fishing ice down very well, even pack the inside with some ice as it really does help. Then steak or fillet whenever you get home. DO NOT LEAVE ANY RED OR DISCOLORED MEAT THIS GIVES THE AMMONIA SMELL AND TASTE. After it’s completely cleaned soak in a bowl of buttermilk over night (at least 6 hours but not longer than 20 hours). Dry, cook however you want. Will be delicious and have no ammonia taste/smell.
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Post by ChathamAngler on Dec 18, 2018 13:08:46 GMT -5
How is bonnet head compared to black tip? And how do you prep them? Just bleed and gut them immediately when you catch them and throw it on ice? And do you steak them vs fillet? Thinking about throwing out a larger hook to try to grab one! (although maybe I should just keep fishing shrimp on sabikis!) The issue is that the bonnet head has SIGNIFICANTLY LESS meat on it than a black tip of the same or even smaller size. You’d be hard pressed to find bonnet head with the same amount of meat as even that 2ft blacktip. Not only that but they are slightly more ammonia-ish if you ask me. Here’s the trick for any shark, recipe has been passed down for generations of shark eaters: Bleed and gut upon catch, clean everything out. If you plan to continue fishing ice down very well, even pack the inside with some ice as it really does help. Then steak or fillet whenever you get home. DO NOT LEAVE ANY RED OR DISCOLORED MEAT THIS GIVES THE AMMONIA SMELL AND TASTE. After it’s completely cleaned soak in a bowl of buttermilk over night (at least 6 hours but not longer than 20 hours). Dry, cook however you want. Will be delicious and have no ammonia taste/smell. You're making me hungry! Thanks for the info!
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Post by seabird on Dec 18, 2018 18:22:09 GMT -5
How is bonnet head compared to black tip? And how do you prep them? Just bleed and gut them immediately when you catch them and throw it on ice? And do you steak them vs fillet? Thinking about throwing out a larger hook to try to grab one! (although maybe I should just keep fishing shrimp on sabikis!) My limited experience with sharks gives the definite edge to the Black Tip for taste. Grouper is right about the amount of meat. There is less on the bonnet head versus the black tip of comparable size. I clean the sharks shortly after catch. Cut the heads off and bleed them. I then cut the shark into steaks or filets/pieces and then wash thoroughly. Then the meat goes on ice in the cooler. One of the anglers awhile back told me to marinate the meat. I have been using vinegar/oil salad dressing. That seems to work and the meat has lasted a few days with no ammonia taste. Catching these sharks has been rather surprising. Use shrimp for now. A question for the experienced anglers. Do the sharks bite better in the winter with colder water?
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Post by Mackerelman on Dec 18, 2018 19:49:23 GMT -5
From My experience with Sharks: Sharks are very Migratory. They swim where the food is. So I would say the Summertime when more varieties of Fish are around for them to Eat. The Best Shark Baits that I have found are Bonito, Mackerel, Jacks & Mullet. Read the Following Link for more Information.www.floridasportsman.com/2013/04/11/shark-fishing-florida-shallow/
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Post by parkpass on Dec 18, 2018 19:49:33 GMT -5
Might catch some in deep water since most are cold-blooded
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Post by seabird on Dec 19, 2018 18:53:21 GMT -5
From My experience with Sharks: Sharks are very Migratory. They swim where the food is. So I would say the Summertime when more varieties of Fish are around for them to Eat. The Best Shark Baits that I have found are Bonito, Mackerel, Jacks & Mullet. Read the Following Link for more Information.www.floridasportsman.com/2013/04/11/shark-fishing-florida-shallow/Mackerelman: I read the article you have the link to. Very good and it answered a number of my questions. Thanks much for the post.
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Post by Mackerelman on Dec 19, 2018 22:27:41 GMT -5
For Future Shark Information, You can Find the Article up in STICKY - MASTER GOOD INFO THREAD
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Post by alaskaguy on Dec 20, 2018 0:12:01 GMT -5
After reading the stickys/links I think I will kill a shark and try it on the grill.
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Post by yankeeredneck on Dec 20, 2018 22:44:47 GMT -5
What Kinds of Sharks Can I Catch? Sharks found off the Florida coastline fall into three groups. Group 1 sharks include 12 species of no minimum size. Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, and all species of dogfish and smoothhounds fall within the group 1 category.
I think I will buy a Big Mac before I gut any fish that yields less than a couple pounds of fillets. Having said that I can't wait for the dam holidays to be over and some steady sunny weather so I can get some quality time on the pier.
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Post by alaskaguy on Dec 20, 2018 23:18:32 GMT -5
I can't wait for the dam holidays to be over and some steady sunny weather so I can get some quality time on the pier.
Try sitting in Alaska waiting for the dam Holidays to be over, snow,snow,snow cold cold cold. Be back on the bay 1/4 cant wait!
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Post by Mackerelman on Dec 21, 2018 8:47:24 GMT -5
What Kinds of Sharks Can I Catch? Sharks found off the Florida coastline fall into three groups. Group 1 sharks include 12 species of no minimum size. Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, and all species of dogfish and smoothhounds fall within the group 1 category. I think I will buy a Big Mac before I gut any fish that yields less than a couple pounds of fillets. Having said that I can't wait for the dam holidays to be over and some steady sunny weather so I can get some quality time on the pier. Around Tampa Bay, the most Common Sharks to catch to eat are Bonnethead & Blacktips. They are good in the oven or on the Grill.
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Post by seabird on Dec 21, 2018 9:11:08 GMT -5
I can't wait for the dam holidays to be over and some steady sunny weather so I can get some quality time on the pier. Try sitting in Alaska waiting for the dam Holidays to be over, snow,snow,snow cold cold cold. Be back on the bay 1/4 cant wait! You do not need nice sunny weather to get shark. They seem to bite better when water churned up and when conditions not so good. Bundle up and go fish! Having lived in Alaska and Wisconsin, I hear alaskaguy loud and clear!!
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Post by yankeeredneck on Dec 21, 2018 16:23:15 GMT -5
I live in Cape Coral, so its a min 1.5 hrs for me to get there. Cool I don't mind but last couple times I planned on going out the winds were 12-20 mph, just kinda hard to cast and feel good feedback when tossing small spoons and jigs like I enjoy. The last 2-3 times I planned on going I got shut down, and I like to plan w my lady too who is a fishing fool. I really want to try fort Desoto .
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Post by seabird on Dec 25, 2018 21:00:45 GMT -5
I gave it a go at Ft. Desoto on Christmas afternoon from 4-6pm. Pier much more crowded but not too crowded to fish. However, the fish did not show up. The only fish I saw caught was a undersized black sea bass. I had bites but no fish. Water was rather cloudy and I did not see any bait. Think the waters are still unsettled from that big blow we had several days ago. I expect fishing to pick up later this week with more stable and moderate weather. Merry Christmas!
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Post by jeffory on Dec 26, 2018 10:24:26 GMT -5
I live in Cape Coral, so its a min 1.5 hrs for me to get there. Cool I don't mind but last couple times I planned on going out the winds were 12-20 mph, just kinda hard to cast and feel good feedback when tossing small spoons and jigs like I enjoy. The last 2-3 times I planned on going I got shut down, and I like to plan w my lady too who is a fishing fool. I really want to try fort Desoto . Hey yankee. Just wondering why you would travel that far to fish when you have Boca Grande, Sanibel, Charlotte harbor, pine island......a great fishery, right there?? Not trying to bust your balls, I'm just wondering. If I misinterpreted, my bad, just set me straight....lol.
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