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Gotta be sharp to catch some sharks: Sizable challenge can be conquered by following these steps
Some happy anglers display one of many sharks landed with Captain Mike Williams a mile off the Galveston beachfront. Photo courtesy Captain Mike Williams
By Luke Clayton
A potential client once asked Captain Mike Williams to describe hooking and landing a big shark.
Williams, who has spent a lifetime fishing and guiding anglers in the bays and gulf around Galveston, replied, "It's like standing on a street corner with a rod and reel and hooking a passing Harley Davidson going 80 miles an hour. I tell my new clients to anticipate the fish fight of their lives, then multiply their expectations by 10 and they will come close to understanding the sheer power of a big shark.
The only way to fully understand what shark fishing is really all about is to do it.
That day has come,
Williams keeps his big Boston Whaler heading out of the Galveston Yacht Basin, en route to the close-in waters off Galveston Island, on a daily basis. During the summer, he is taking his clients out to do battle with Blacktip, Spinner, Bull and occasionally Hammerhead and Tiger sharks. A client once landed a 400-pounder and sharks in the 50- to 120-pound range are common. The hotter the weather gets, the better the shark fishing. Most of this action takes place within a few miles of the Galveston beach front.
A boat ride of 3-10 miles out from the Galveston Jetties puts one smack dab in the middle of some of the best shark fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Williams employs several techniques to attract and catch sharks.
Floating big pieces of cut bait or whole gizzard shad under balloons is probably the most common, but he also uses down lines with heavy weights when the sharks are feeding closer to bottom. Just about any large, natural bait will entice a strike from a passing shark. Big, 16-ought circle hooks are used and reels are spooled with 50-80 pounds of monofilament line with 200-pound mono leaders.
"Some shark fishermen prefer wire or cable leaders, but I stick with monofilament," Williams said. "The circle hook almost always hooks the shark's lips and seldom comes in contact with the sets of razor sharp teeth, thus eliminating the need for wire leaders. I like the idea of being able to cut the line if something goes wrong when the shark finally comes boat side.
Bull sharks are particularly well known for being aggressive.
"I instruct my clients to stay well clear of their mouths when we pull them up boat side for pictures," Williams said. "We release the majority of sharks we catch. The daily limit is one per person and many of my clients like to take home a Blacktip in the 30- to 60-pound range for grilling. An average trip produces catch and release action on upwards of 15 or 20 sharks, sometimes twice that many."
Butchered properly, sharks are excellent eating, especially when cooked quickly over hot coals and marinated with lemon juice.
Blacktip sharks are the most common species landed.
They can easily be identified by the distinctively dark black tip to their fins. Spinner sharks are sometimes confused with the Blacktip, but their fins are grayer and their body is not quiet as streamline.
I've caught many sharks while fishing with Williams through the years and highly recommend a trip for folks that have never caught a truly big, strong fish.
Once Williams reaches the most productive waters, the baits are put out, usually four or five. Some are floated near the surface under balloons and some go straight down with heavy weights. Rods are placed in holders and fishermen usually don't have to wait long for the action to begin. A reel will begin singing when a passing shark picks up one of the baits and line quickly strips off.
Once the rod is winched out of its holder, it's a matter of simply holding on and letting the rod and reel's drag begin the job of slowly tiring the shark.
Sharks don't tire easily.
I've timed the battles and a 50- to 80-pound shark will keep the angler busy for about 15-25 minutes, maybe a bit longer. Fifteen minutes might not seem like a great expanse of time, but when hooked to a hard-pulling shark, it's 15 or 20 minutes of adrenaline pumping, time-suspending sheer excitement.
Williams will instruct you to, "hang on and take up slack when you can."
In the beginning of the fight, there will be no slack given by your shark. Just hold on to the sharply bent rod and watch the shark attempt to strip your reel. You'll circle the perimeter of the boat 10 or 15 times as your shark swims in a circle, 50 or more yards out from the boat. Williams will relax and watch the show; he instinctively knows when to go into action. The shark's runs will get shorter and shorter as it succumbs to the steady pressure applied.
Then, Williams will stand up and say something like, "one more time around the boat and he will be ready to land."
His prediction, tempered by years of experience, is usually on target.
Unless it's a smaller Blacktip you plan to eat, the shark will be pulled up next to the boat for a photo and released.
Make sure and bring along a large ice cooler to keep the fresh shark meat chilled. Shark is excellent when grilled quickly over red hot coals, dashed with dry seasonings and marinated a few hours in lemon juice.
Outdoors Tip of the Week
Lake Lavon crappie guide Billy Kilpatrick says limits of crappie have been coming after a couple hours of fishing.
Live minnows are working best around standing timber and submerged brush piles at 12-15 feet. The bite has been consistent throughout the day, so the only reason to get on the water early is to beat the heat. Thanks to all the fresh water early in the spring, Kilpatrick (214-232-7847) is predicting this to be a banner summer of crappie catching.
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