Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted April 20, 2023 Global Moderator Posted April 20, 2023 Making a family trip to Florida in mid-June to the Tampa area and I'd like to finally get the chance at catching a shark. I'd much rather it be land based so the whole family could be there without having to corral my kids in a boat on the ocean for a few hours. TIA. 1 Quote
Captain Phil Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said: Making a family trip to Florida in mid-June to the Tampa area and I'd like to finally get the chance at catching a shark. I'd much rather it be land based so the whole family could be there without having to corral my kids in a boat on the ocean for a few hours. TIA. Call Captain Tim. https://www.familyadventurecharters.com/ Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 20, 2023 Global Moderator Posted April 20, 2023 @Zcoker 1 Quote
Capt Steve Posted April 25, 2023 Posted April 25, 2023 Capt Don Heard (352-317-4100). specializes in summertime shark fishing out of Crystal River. He can fish up to six people out of his boat I think. Shoreline shark fishing may be tough on the gulf side due to how shallow it is. It can be done in places but not as effectively as on a boat. June is a great time for monsters as many sharks follow the tarpon schools migrating north. I hope this helps. 1 Quote
Captain Phil Posted April 25, 2023 Posted April 25, 2023 I have done my share of shark fishing in the Gulf. Most of the sharks you will catch in the Gulf are nurse sharks, blacktips and bull sharks. Nurse sharks are the easiest to catch. They grow to good size and will hit most large cut baits. They are docile as sharks go, but are fun nevertheless. Black tips are fun in all sizes. The smaller ones will often school. I have caught black tip sharks up to 100 pounds and they are hard fighters. Bull sharks grow to ten feet and are very strong. They prefer live bait. You will need heaver tackle to fish for them. In tarpon season, you will occasionally see a large hammerhead following the tarpon. Crystal River is an hour north of Tampa. That's where you will will find the best fishing charters. Quote
Zcoker Posted May 3, 2023 Posted May 3, 2023 I would never recommend shark fishing off a boat but that's just me. The bay area around Tampa is not that great for land based shark fishing but it's still doable, mainly bull sharks. They hang out closer to the skyway area or during the cooler months around the Apollo beach area near the hot water discharge from the power plant. Much of my shark fishing over there is around the Desoto area or on Anna Marie island at Bean Point. I've tagged many bull sharks from both those areas. There's many species of sharks around the Skyway bridge but no practical way to land them off the north or south pier. The Gulf coast beaches like Indian Shores, any of those passes over there are also good places to fish. Dunedin at the pass is also a nice spot. In general, around any inlet or pass is a prime fishing for sharks. And prime bait is cownose ray. As with any shark, never ever ever ever underestimate them! Even nurse sharks, which can do a death roll like no other. The mouth on them is like a powerful vacuum, can latch on to you and have to kill it to get it off! PS: Land based shark fishing in Florida requires a shark fishing license as well as passing a shark fishing course, which I helped implement for the FWC. It's pretty strait forward. Good luck and be safe! Nurse shark on spinning gear A rare tiger shark on spinning gear caught near Tarpon Springs And a nice lemon shark same place, near Tarpon Springs 4 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted May 3, 2023 Author Global Moderator Posted May 3, 2023 41 minutes ago, Zcoker said: I would never recommend shark fishing off a boat but that's just me. The bay area around Tampa is not that great for land based shark fishing but it's still doable, mainly bull sharks. They hang out closer to the skyway area or during the cooler months around the Apollo beach area near the hot water discharge from the power plant. Much of my shark fishing over there is around the Desoto area or on Anna Marie island at Bean Point. I've tagged many bull sharks from both those areas. There's many species of sharks around the Skyway bridge but no practical way to land them off the north or south pier. The Gulf coast beaches like Indian Shores, any of those passes over there are also good places to fish. Dunedin at the pass is also a nice spot. In general, around any inlet or pass is a prime fishing for sharks. And prime bait is cownose ray. As with any shark, never ever ever ever underestimate them! Even nurse sharks, which can do a death roll like no other. The mouth on them is like a powerful vacuum, can latch on to you and have to kill it to get it off! PS: Land based shark fishing in Florida requires a shark fishing license as well as passing a shark fishing course, which I helped implement for the FWC. It's pretty strait forward. Good luck and be safe! Nurse shark on spinning gear A rare tiger shark on spinning gear caught near Tarpon Springs And a nice lemon shark same place, near Tarpon Springs Thanks, I did the shark course before when I shark fished last time. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful and I'm still looking to tag my first shark. Quote
Zcoker Posted May 3, 2023 Posted May 3, 2023 50 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said: Thanks, I did the shark course before when I shark fished last time. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful and I'm still looking to tag my first shark. If you really want some sharky action, plan an east coast trip during our annual shark migration, mullet run, or minnow run. It's only about 3-4 hour drive from Tampa. Unreal action just off the sand on most any beach! Sharks and just about everything else that swims in the ocean lol Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted May 3, 2023 Author Global Moderator Posted May 3, 2023 3 hours ago, Zcoker said: If you really want some sharky action, plan an east coast trip during our annual shark migration, mullet run, or minnow run. It's only about 3-4 hour drive from Tampa. Unreal action just off the sand on most any beach! Sharks and just about everything else that swims in the ocean lol Last time we went from the shore at New Smyrna Beach. I looked and it's just over 2 hours drive time so we may end up trying that again. Quote
Super User ATA Posted May 4, 2023 Super User Posted May 4, 2023 Thats the great plan, There is couple of good guides for land base shark fishing, they have YouTube channel as well. youll have lots of fun and they are really good at it, Just be ready to stay at night. Quote
HudsonAngler Posted May 6, 2023 Posted May 6, 2023 Just got back from a trip with Florida Reels Fishing Charters in St Petersburg and had an amzing time! I found them through https://super-fishing-charters.com/fishing-charters/united-states/florida/st-petersburg/, and they really helped me with my choice. The captain was very knowledgable and friendly, made our shark fishing experience unforgettable. I highly recomend 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.