[614419]

Can anyone give some helpful advice on Shark fishing? Fairly new to the sport, and having no luck. We've chartered boats and watched videos and read books on Shark fishing but arent catching anything! We do the 3 riggs @ 30, 60, and 90ft. Caught 1 blue shark last year, this year nothing in 4 trips.
Is it possible the chum we are using is no good(not foul smelling) like the chum on charter boats? Or is it location? On 7/28 went to 25 fatom line, 40.29---x72.00--- fished 7 hours, no bites. On 6/30 went to the Virginia wreck, caught some bluefish only. Is ther something we are doing wrong or missing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. "It's Electric"

 

[FredyFluke]

the jury is out

You left out a lot of info that will help the guys answer you, like
what kind of chum are you using ??
mackerel, bunker, butterfish ??
Also what kind of bait ?? fillets, whole fish, mackerel, bunker, squid ??

Some guys swear that real ripe chum works well, but I am a believer in fresh chum. As fresh as you can get if you don't grond it yourself.
You need real fresh bait too, and you need to set it our correctly.
Try adding a rattle or skirt if your fishing plan baits. If your using them already pull them off, and go with naked baits. Most of the guys I know are doing better with whole macks or bluefish. You can even try to live line a bluefish. This technique has been responsible for some big Mako's. I would also drop that deep bait down another 30 feet to the 120 ft range.
It's hot and the thermocline is down deep this time of year.
Of course the area your fishing has a lot to do with it too...Look for cooler water (68-72) not this 72-74 green water that has been around lately.
Don't be too down on yourself, it's not the best shark year, and mid-summer is not the best time either. I am sure you will get a lot of input from the guys to help you out.

 

[JACKSON]

FISH THE FINGERS 20MI S OF SHINNOCK INLET----GOOD ACTION WITH SMALL MAKOS AND LARGE BLUE DOGS.

 

[614419]

I am using bunker chum in metal cans from mastic bait and tackle.The bait I am using is mackeral that I caught and cured in kosher salt, like a book said to do . I have also used fresh bluefish fillets when we catch them . I usually put on a whole mac, but have tried other ways. We did see a giant shark breach about 15 ft from the boat but never stopped or looked back [just keep swimming away]I've also started an iv drip bag this year with bunker oil. I Thought I was doing everything right according to all the research I did.

 

[B.Attitude]

Just change baits often and put in your time.
Chum...And they will come.

 

[buckley]

Don't get discouraged

If you go by the articles in fishing magazines, you'll always feel inadequate.

Shark fishing is not rocket science. Find structure and temperature, put baits out at different depths, and chum.
If you like you can supplement with toys such as rattles, mako magnets, skirts, and anything else your friendly tackle shop will be glad to sell you.

Bottom line, sit back and relax, and eventually the fish will come. If they don't, one of the conditions wasn't quite right.

This year, no one is knocking them dead. Sure, there are always the articles on the few lucky boats, but in general, it's been a bad year.

I've been lucky, and my freezer has enough mako and yellowfin to hold me until September, but it's just been a case of right place, right time.

Your time will come.

Be patient, and the fish will come.

 

[614419]

Thank you for all of your input, it is greatly appreciated. "It's Electric"