I caught a 45 inch - 16 lbs Bonnet Head Shark ... my guide didn't bleed it nor did he gut it .. It stayed in the icechest maybe 3-4 hours before we got back to dock and it was filleted. the fillets look nice and thick .. but after everything i have read on the internet about how bad the taste will be because of not bleeding it or taking out its guts ... What are my chances that this will be edible? I wanted to have a little dinner party with a few friends and grill the shark I caught .. BUt like I said .. after all the info I have read on here .. what are my options ..as far as marinating .. or useing spices to "hide" the bad taste?

If I were you, I'd cut a very small slice off, cook it, and see if the bad taste is there. Personally, I've had shark that wasn't immediately bled or gutted, and it tasted fine to me. But that was a while ago. If you can test it before you marinade, that'd be your best bet.

I agree. I don't recall the "party boats" ever bleeding or immediately gutting any of the sharks (Atlantic sharpnose or blacktip) we caught over the years and they all tasted just fine to us. But, as mentioned above, it wouldn't be a bad idea to cook yourself up a test piece before inviting anyone over.

Thx for the tips guys .. I gave half to my step-mom to see if she could come up with something .. she cut a small piece off and cooked it like she would any other fish .. it was very good ... then she cooked the rest of the shark I gave her .. salt pepper .. a little batter .. pan fry .. was delicious. and it was filling .. I ate two good size pieces and was full before i could take the last bite .. even my dad and sister commented on how filling it was .. not like regular "flaky" fish .. no bad after taste or anything ... thx again for the responses! :-)

Bonnet Head Shark- Easy to catch, great tasting sharks!

I don't know how you're going to target bonnetheads, if they are there, you may catch some. Most I've caught have been small, 5 lb. and less and I've caught by accident while fishing for other species. I don't think you need wire, 15# mono with a 20# fluorocarbon leader should do. I'd use a circle hook, 2/0 should be OK and cut bait, ladyfish, catfish and such. I've caught them on shrimp before. They don't get that big, world record is only 23lb.

the party boats cut a slice on their head to bleed them. at least the ones ive been on

As long as the fish is kept iced down, I`ve been bringing fish home from the coast from PortA gut,gilled and scaled for years keep saying i`m gonna filet them also ,but never get it done till I get back no problems...Bill

It should taste fine, bleeding out does give you a nicer cleaner flavor but like everyone said as long as it was iced you should be good to go.