Tommarow im going to visit my grandparents who live on a private beach on the chesapeake, and I have heard many reports of lost of small sharks in the area. Though they are often not targeted by sport fisherman, I have always wanted to catch one. How do I do it and fight the fish? My rod of choice using a 6-foot rod with 12 pound test line.I am fishing close to shore in a small boat or on the beach. Right now I'm thinking about going out at dusk/night and jigging over sandbars with a squid shaped jig with fishbites artificial squid chunks to attract sharks. Would this work? If it will, where in the water column should it be? Should I chum with chunks of squid and/ or fish? Are there any other lures that might work, and how do I work them? Any other suggestions? Also, I'm used to small sunfish, perch and bass, so I've never really had to fight a fish. I think a shark might be tough, though, so how do I reel it in without breaking the line? Any other suggestions appreciated; I just want to catch a shark/. I've been fascinated by them ever since I was in kindergarten.

Welcome to the board littlefishyboy. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of hooking up with a shark from the beach. First, you want to use bait, not a lure. The sharks you are likely to catch are kind of like catfish, they prowl the bottom and use their sense of smell to locate food. So cut bait or squid on the bottom is the way to go. You can use a standard two hook bottom rig or a three way swivel with a single hook, just make sure you use a strong leader so the shark doesn't bite through the line. Also you want to use a paramid sinker, not a round one, so it will hold the bottom better. The way to catch one without breaking your line is to set the drag. The drag allows a fish to pull line off of your reel rather than breaking off. On a spinning reel it's usually located at the top of the spool or at the heel of the reel. It's a dial that adjusts tension on the line. You might have to have someone show you how to set it. Well, good luck and let us know what you catch!

I know how to set the drag, but won't that just cause trhe shark to swim away while I'm trying to reel it in?

What species specificaly would I be catching? I heaard the term "sandshark" but I've heard that term used to describre sand tiger sharks, dogfish, sandbar sharks, and all sorts of sharks.

It sure will, but that's how you tire him out. It's the same thing with a blue marlin off the coast. The fish gets tired pulling against the drag. You set the drag to let out line just before the line breaks. Sometimes the fish will take all of your line and you can't stop him. It's happened to me before. A good rule for setting the drag is to set it to 1/3rd the weight of the running line. In your case, with 12 pound line, about 4 pounds of drag would be right. If a fish takes most of your line, you can tighten it up a bit. Good luck.

got it, thanks!!! Any info about species?

In the bay you're most likely to catch a spiny dogfish or a sand shark from the beach. The spiny dogfish is a long, skinny shark that has a row of spines along it's back and has no regular teeth. It has a set of crusher jaws for crushing oysters and clams. They get up to about 3 feet long. Sand sharks are thicker through the middle, and have real cutting teeth and can inflict a painful bite. They can get up to about 4 feet in length, although 2 to 3 feet is more common. And don't forget the cousin of the shark, the rays. You stand a real good chance of catching a cow nosed ray or a skate. A cow nosed ray has a blunt nose and can get 5 feet across and weigh close to 100 pounds, but you're not likely to catch a big one from the beach. A skate has a pointed nose and typically weights less than 10 pounds. Both have protective spines/spikes, so be careful handling them. All of these will bite after dark, so be sure to have a good flashlight and pair of pliers with you!

Of course! Thank you so much!!! I'll let you know about anything I catch ASAP(my dad is bringing his laptop!) hopefully I can catch all of those and more( I like rays/skates alot too!)

Marlin Maniac gave you a lot of good tips but there are a few more things i would like to add to help you out. I dont know what kind or size reel you have but if you want a shark I would suggest using 20lb test instead of 12. You will have a better chance of the line not breaking. Also if you use a bottom rig and catch a bluefish or any small fish I would cut him up and us it. Remember sharks love the smell of blood. A bluefish is a very bloody fish. Just cut it into chuncks and stick it on the hook. You will have a very good chance of catching one or even a skate, they put up a great fight also. I hope this helps and let us know how you do. Good luck!

hmmm...I don't think I can switch to 20, but I can compromise and use 15-would that work? I'm just about to leave for Virginia!!!

Maybe 15 will work, use a leader of at least 30#.



I was out in the bay yesterday and saw millions of Rays on the surface.