My stance is that I would never target sharks because I'm not going to eat them, nor should anyone else because of the great health risks. I don't really think that those who target them are degenerates, but I think there are more worthwhile fish out there. On the other hand if I caught one while fishing for something else I wouldn't feel bad about it. I've just seen too many people kill animals for bs reasons to not speak up.

But hey would you rather read this or a bragging post about keeping 20 specks and double digit reds?

Devildog,
My personal opinion is that bass fishing is a waste of time. Using your logic, if it were up to me we'd outlaw bass fishing.

If people are doing what they did in the old days when they targeted sharks to catch, kill and then hang at the docks for the gawkers then I'd agree with you. I know plenty of folks that target sharks, catch them and then release them alive.

I'm not condemning you or your thoughts but maybe you ought to try to see another perspective. Yours is not the only one out there and it's necessarily correct.

And by the way, shark meat is very good to eat.

Just curious with this question: Anybody run into sharks (& what kind/size) fishing flats for reds & specs? How about local surf fishing around Port Aransas, Rockport, etc.?

I just got back from Florida (Sanibel Island) where I was surf fishing (NOT in flats) with dead shrimp, which were attached to my waist, which stayed underwater (what a moron). I was a walking chum bucket, but didn't think about it. My 8-yr-old son was about 12' away from me. When I was done fishing, I started walking toward him. When I got to about 6' from him, something spooked and took off away from us. I could see just a couple of feet past my son was a dorsal fin, a rubbery-looking back (maybe 2 1/2 feet of it was exposed) and such a huge body size that it made that deep thrashing sound, making a rather large wake as it took off. Creeped me out. Just thought I'd ask about local Texas experiences.

Thanks.

Jeffrito,
Like I tell the average tourist that acts surprised when I reel a shark onto the beach, only feet from where there kids are swimming...The gulf is part of the ocean. It's saltwater. That's where sharks live. It begins where the sand ends.

I've had sharks come up in less than 1 foot of water on the beach. The largest bull shark caught in Texas waters (close to 600 lbs) was about 2 years ago in the Lydia Ann Channel, which is considered the bay.

There are sharks in the bay systems. They take stringers and bait off of wade fishermen all of the time, in the surf and bays.

On another note you have a greater chance of being hit by a stingray than bit by a shark. But don't invite them to dinner by wearing it around your waist. That's asking for trouble.

What a thorough (and sobering) answer- and rocket fast! Thanks so much for all of that. Living and learning. (And there's so much to learn).

1. Please point out where I said it should be outlawed
2. I posted that I find no fault with someone who does target them. Just not my style. That debunks your perception that I'm narrow minded. I even said I wouldn't feel bad if somehow I hooked one. It's gonna happen someday anyways.
3. Shark meat is very high in mercury especially the bigger ones this prompting health
advisories.

I'm not mad, just take a sec to read an entire post before drawing conclusions.

You said that you don't target sharks and nor should anyone else.....That's where I was coming from. I'm not mad either. I'm just pointing out that there are different strokes for different folks.

As for Mercury levels in fish...Kings and many other species are loaded with it. That's why an experienced angler keeps smaller fish for table fare. Less age means less mercury. I don't keep large kings, sharks, reds, blacks or anything else for that matter.

I don't know of anyone that keeps large sharks for food. There are plenty of them that keep 'em for trophy status, though. And I whole heartedly disagree with this practice. As with any caught fish, if you're not going to eat it, don't kill it.

However, I do not see a problem in a sport fisherman targeting a particular big game fish like tiger sharks, blue marlin, tarpon as long as they do their best to preserve the animal after the fight.

Hell, lets all calm down and go to Costa Rica and catch a
Sailfish.
God-Bless; from -No Limits- Guide Service.

I'm down with that. I'll bring the beer.

wow

GOOD GOD !!!! always turns to this!!!!

Sharks loose more teeth than that when the attack and eat prey!!!! why do ya think they keep regrowing them!!

Devildog, if it ain't your style or ruffles your feathers don't post. If the man wants to catch shark that tastes like [censored], then that is his right last time I checked. The way I understood his post he just wanted ONE freakin tooth and then to release the shark. I might question his sanity for reaching in its mouth to pull one out, but that is hardly comparable to an Asian cutting the fins off a shark and throwing it up on the rocks. That would be an illegal act.

Thank you sir.