Hey guys, so basically I'm going down to Port Aransas three times this summer and I am looking forward to going shark fishing in the surf. I've been researching it for a little while now, but I was just wondering if any of you guys out there could give some tips of information on any of the following things:

* Specific Spots @ Port Aransas
* Type of Rod (Length, #, etc),
* Type of Reel, mostly suggestions on yards and line strength
* How you rig the bait, and maybe types of bait too? (I plan on fishing early morning for whiting to use.)

Those are just the small things, but please feel free to post anything here that you think that I may need to know. Thanks guys!

Spots... Pins is probably best. Make sure you are prepared and don't go past the 4 wheel drive only sign if you don't have 4 wheel drive.

Type of Rod... I just use a 6-8 foot stand-up rod with a Penn 9/0, 80 to 100 lb Braid with a 15 foot section of weedeater line to a double cable trace electrical taped down to the barb on the hook. Leader is fairly complicated but consists of a barrel swivel, three large beads, a snap swivel, three more large beads, and a coupling for the traces. So mainline, weedeater line, trace. I tie two different length sections of 20 lb mono to a half cinder block for a weight. That way if a shark picks up the bait and drops it, the weight is still attached and you get another shot. When the shark takes the bait, he will usually break the 40 lb mono helping to sink the hook in the fish. Everyone has their own way of rigging though, not saying mines the best but I know it works.

Rigging Baits: Stingrays and Jacks are really good bait, the fresher the better. Cut the jacks in half and use the stingrays whole. Whiting are good too, but get crabbed out fast. Use 20/0 J or circle hooks. I usually rig each bait with two hooks secured by zip ties. Run a sharpened screwdriver through the bait, tape your trace to the screwdriver and pull the trace back through the bait so that your hooks are flush with the bait but the points stick straight up. I usually zip tie the hooks so they stand up correctly which will increase your hook-up ratio.

Kayak the bait out a few hundred yards and wait. Usually right before dark, during dark, and early in the morning are best. Try to pick an area with minimal seaweed, although there has been quite a bit this year. This time of year you can catch blacktips, bulls, tigers, and hammerheads.

I use the holes in my truck bed for rod holders.

Make sure you have pliers, cable cutters, and a dehooking tool. Snap a few photos in shallow water, and release the shark as quickly as possible. If he takes the hook deep, cut the cable as close as possible to the hook and walk the shark back out to at least the second gut.

You can use standard casting rods with a smaller weight and a smaller bait to catch sharks in the second and third gut. 8-11 foot rod with a smaller reel will suffice. You want to make your leader as long as possible but still be able to cast it.

Good luck. It's alot to learn. Stop by Roy's and they will have everything you need and can show you how to rig a leader.

Oh yeah, bring a pair of gloves and a fighting harness. If you do hook into a big one, you won't want to be caught off guard.

Ive been fishing most of my life..And I have no idea what you just said...Glad I fish for flounder and specs and reds.

It sounds complicated but really isn't. Just see if you can find a video on you-tube. There are alot of steps and they all need to be correct in order to work.

Not gonna lie... Fishing for sharks in the surf is quite a bit different...

Sounds like a blast to do though.. Assuming you're properly equipped...

It's easier to go with someone that has done it before for several reasons:

1. It can be dangerous as hell
2. Most people don't know what to bring
3. Most people don't know how to kayak through surf, or back through surf
4. Rigging baits properly is critical
5. Choosing a good spot in the surf is critical at times
6. Landing a large shark in the surf and releasing it can be tricky
7. Rigging baits and making leaders is easy once you learn how, but its astrophysics if you've never seen someone do it
8. Picking the right weather windows is absolutely key

Yes, you can get lucky and stop anywhere along the beach, throw out a chunk of cut mullet and catch a smaller blacktip or bullshark, but if you are targeting larger fish, it takes a system, alot of time on the sand, and a team to do.

That being said, it is extremely fun when something grabs a 4-8 lb chunk of bait that takes you a good while to stop, if at all. When they hit, that clicker will absolutely scream.

use a reel with a LOT of line. use 6' of wire leader and the neccessary weight to keep your bait in place and hook on one of those live whitings.