[B.Attitude]

Speaking of hooks,when sharking am I the only guy who uses a double hook set up? When I started out I was getting alot of my whole mackeral baits biten in half.I know most of it was caused by smaller makos(under 100lbs.)Anyway I started rigging my setup with a second hook hanging 8-10" below the first hook.It made a big difference in missed fish,the hook up ratio increased big time.I understand that a big(250+) mako could swallow the bait whole and would only need one hook but with the success I've had with this rig I really don't want to switch back to a single hook setup.Anyone else use this setup?
paulie

 

[MakoMatt]

Paulie, I have tried 2 hooks, but IMHO 1 hook works better for the following reasons:

1. Bait presentation, I think the bait looks and presents itself much more naturaly with just 1 hook, it won't be as "stiff".

2. In addition to looking too "stiff", many times I have seen the shark do what I can best discribe as "inhale" the bait, where it looks like he sucks it in like a vacuum cleaner. I think that softer, more flexible, etc. that the bait is, the better chance of the fish inhaling the bait.

3. Most sharks 50lbs and up I don't think have a problem with the size of the bait, and can open their mouths plenty wide if they want it. I have caught plenty of 15-20 lbs Makos too this way and countless rat Bluedogs. All of course get tagged.

I sometines use a double hook setup with a live Bluefish, esp if it's a big one. Large sharks can inhale a big Bluefish but smaller ones sometimes will bite the live bait in half. Using 2 hooks helps insure they always will bite the 1/2 I want.

Also, not that I care about them, but I think the I.G.F.A. Police frown upon this.

Matt

 

[622172]

I agree that 1 hook is all you need with a Mackrel or like sized bait. I bet whats biting your Macks in half are the offshore blue fish. They nip it just below the hook like a surgeon.

 

[MakoMatt]

You can often times tell if it was a Bluefish by the bite radius left on your remaining bait, it is much smaller then the bite radius then was on "the little Kittner boy"

 

[Hipshot]

I've used two hooks rigs, usually when I'm getting short hits, I felt it helped. As for bait presentation, I'm not sure it is always important. I've had sharks pass up mu baits, even pitch baits to feed on a tossed out chum ball or bluefish rack. getting back to double hook rigs, I will always have them set up and available!

 

[Capthookem]

I've used stinger rigs on and off for years. They are great when there is bluefish around the boat. Don't you just love when you check all your baits only to find they have all been bitten in half by bluefish. The stinger rig will take care of that. From a fishing stand point, they are great. From an economic stand point they can get a little costly, especially when you are catching a lot of blue sharks.
"bite radius" "little Kittner boy"
**** I seen one eat a rocking chair one time

 

[Hipshot]

Capt. Hookem,
I hope you weren't in it!

 

[Capthookem]

Hipshot,
No thank goodness. Actually it was my mother in law. We were in 8 foot seas and I set the rocking chair up on the bow so she could catch up on her knitting.
Capt H

 

[Hipshot]

That's what mother-in-laws are for. Actually one shark against another!

 

[B.Attitude]

My moneys on the mother-in-law.lol
paulie

 

[BAllen]

MakoMatt, you mentioned tagging and I was wondering what organization you use. I have been tagging inshore fish (mostly bass snd blues) through the American Littoral Society and would like to expand to offshore. Any reccomendations?

 

[MakoMatt]

Ben, it's with NMFS up in Woods Hole I think. I have all the information at home, address, contact person, etc. I will post it later tonight. It is a good program, I enjoy particapating. I think at 1st. they start you out with 5 tags, but it seems that after they get to know you and you send them lots of tags, they will send you more then 5 at a time. When someone catches a shark that you tagged they send you information about it, where it was caught, size, date, etc. along with your original tagging information and also send you a nice sharking tagging program hat.

Matt

 

[BAllen]

MakoMatt, sounds good to me. If you could post the contact info I would appreciate it. Thanks once again.

 

[MakoMatt]

Ben, send a letter saying you would like some tags and information on the Cooperative Shark Tagging Program. Send to:

Apex Predators Program
NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service
28 Tarzwell Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882-1199

You may be able to do it on line also, I'm not sure, try www.nefscsharks.nmfs.gov

Tight lines,
Matt

 

[Hipshot]

I signed up this year, they send you a short questioneer first, then they send you 5 tags, a tagging needle(which you can rig up with a closet pole-instructions included) and additional info. The tags come with corrisponding numbered report post cards as well as how to correctly fill out the cards. Unfortunately I only got out twice this year, couldn't put crews together with decent weather. I used 3 tags though-lotsa fun!!! Good Luck!
P.S. You must be able to identify the species, at least estimate the lenght(nose to fork of tail), estimate weight, and determine sex.

 

[Capthookem]

Try and be accurate on your measurements for the tags. If you catch a 10 foot blue shark today, it would be a little odd if he is caught 3 years later and measures 8 feet. Also, sharks do not undergo sex change operations. Have a close look !
Capt. H

 

[BAllen]

Species, sex and length....OK, but what is the best way to estimate weight because I don't think my boga grip will cut it. I have always been terrible at guessing and both weights (and distances for that matter) especially for fish that can get so large. Are there length/weight charts available as for bass and blues? What do you guys do?
Thanks agian guys. I'm hoping to get out on Saturday if the weather allows me to.

 

[MakoMatt]

Ben, if I remember correctly, I think they give you a chart showing length/weight by species as part of the start up kit.

Matt

 

[Hipshot]

That's correct, included in the package is a weight to length chart, this should help you! Also included is determining sex-males have claspers(like testicles). If you're not good at determining length, make the gunnel coverboards with measurements on tape (you can always peel it off later, no damage done. Also look at website WWW.newinglandsharks.com great site on sharking!
Hope this helps!

 

[MakoMike]

Guys,
I've always found the easiest way to estime legnth is with the tagging stick itself. If you know the stick is say 6 ft long and you hold it just above the shark you can guess the total legnth of the fish pretty acurately.