Skip to main content

Hunting the Hunters: How to Prepare for a Florida Shark Fishing Excursion

Many Floridian anglers consider it the ultimate test of angler against fish. A contest of strength and will between one person and the deadliest animal in the ocean. Whether or not it is, there’s no question that there’s nothing like it. The line begins playing out as a monster takes the bait, a couple of solid pumps set the hook, the rod bends double, line whines out of the reel, and you’re in for a fight you will never forget. Even after landing a shark, their teeth and tail can still prove dangerous. Shark fishing is not for the faint of heart. However, with a bit of preparation, the right gear such as performance fishing shirts, stalking sharks in the Sunshine State can be the experience of a lifetime.

Shirts For Fishing

 Know the Shark Fishing Regs

Before any shark hunt begins, becoming familiar with the regs is a must. Florida is an angler’s paradise because its coastal waters are packed with a diversity of life. Nearly 50 species of sharks silently patrol the Atlantic coast, and many of them cannot be harvested. Additionally, the regulations for fishing from the shore and from a boat differ. Know your regs and know your sharks (the difference between a blacktip and a spinner, for instance).

 Get the Right Pro Gear

There are few undertakings more intense than wrestling a marine killing machine under the unrelenting Florida sun. When fighting a shark, chafing in uncomfortable gear or baking in the sun’s rays is not going to be pleasant. If you have yet to experience professional-grade performance fishing shirts, rectify that oversight. A high-performance brand like Gillz®, for instance, offers advanced, vented polyester fishing shirts that become like a second skin on the boat. They’re lightweight, they’re breathable, they are moisture-wicking and quick-drying—an absolute must for the committed angler. Additionally, consider a fishing mask, a hat, a quality pair of polarized shades, and a solid pair of gloves.

 Prepare Your Rig and Bait

The rig and bait combination of choice is shark-dependent. There’s no one-size-fits-all setup. However, basics include a rod and reel heavy enough to accommodate a slab of tooth and muscle that may weigh more than you, braided line, and a chunk of (preferably bloody) fish. Research harvestable, or releasable, local shark species, their diet, and their habitat, and fish accordingly.

 Boat or Charter Fishing for Sharks

If you’re unfamiliar with taking shark, consider hooking up with a reputable shark fishing charter for your first hunt. Should you decide to seek some shark on your boat, fish around structures and or keep an eye out for shark signs. Look for slick lines from recent or deeper water feeding frenzies, rip lines, boiling water, or other surface disturbances. Spotting schools of baitfish or squid, or flocks of birds above them, can certainly be a good indication. When you find your spot, drop a chum slick and start fishing. Don’t forget to hold on tight.

 About Gillz®

 As long as he can remember, Kent Hickman has been an angler. He discovered his love for fishing at a young age and took every opportunity to do so. And growing up in his native Florida, there was no shortage of opportunities. That love inspired him to try his hand at going professional, and he joined the tournament circuit. However, Kent encountered an issue: the conditions professional anglers faced were often unforgiving, and he couldn’t find fishing apparel that rose to the challenge. He needed gear that kept him cool, dry, and comfortable while protecting him from exposure to the elements and the harmful rays of the unrelenting Florida sun. Kent decided to meet the challenge himself, and in 2009 he founded Gillz® to provide his fellow anglers stylish high-performance fishing gear, shirts for fishing, fishing masks, accessories, and additional high-quality fishing apparel.

 Join the Gillz® fishing community and experience exactly what Gillz® gear can do for you on the water, at Gillz-gear.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Small Details That Can Make the Difference Between Getting Skunked and Landing a Trophy on the Water

It’s easy to forget the little details. Even experienced, professional anglers forget to bring everything they need or update their clothing every once in a while. It certainly makes sense to do research on your fishing territory, study seasonal feeding and spawning habits, and invest in specialized gear. As often as not, however, it’s the little details determining whether or not you’re getting fish in the boat. Never forget the basics. Sometimes that process is as simple as picking up a hook file and some performance fishing shirts . Performance Fishing Shirts Trade Out Your Line Many anglers put a lot of thought into the line they use. A lot of thought and time goes into deciding what pound test you should be using, whether to go with mono or braided, and whether to use a blue, green, or clear line. Switching out your line when it’s getting old is a step that’s easy to forget and overlook. That’s particularly true for anglers with a dozen different rigs in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tips for Keeping Warm and Staying Cool While Fall Fishing

Despite the likelihood of more moderate temperatures, achieving and maintaining comfort when fall fishing can actually be tougher than it is at other times of the year. It’s easy to prepare for the extreme but reliable heat and cold of summer and winter. In the fall, however, you could be watching your breath and shivering in the morning, pouring sweat by noon, and soaked by a downpour (or even a snowstorm, depending on where you live) by the afternoon. While the conditions can be tricky, successfully gearing up for fall fishing is no problem with a little foresight. Access to a reliable thermos and quality fishing shirts doesn’t hurt either. Fishing Shirts Pack Temperature-Appropriate Clothing, Food, and Drink Wearing a breathable long sleeve fishing shirt and a performance hat or fishing mask is a vital step. Make sure the gear you choose is breathable and moisture wicking with sun protection. Antimicrobial and cooling technology are signs of a superior, quality...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tips for Catching the Big One This Fall

As summer slides into fall, many anglers stop going out, putting away their rods and winterizing their boats. However, they miss out on fantastic fishing opportunities. While bass is still the main fish, you can also find perch, pike, crappies, walleyes, and catfish, depending on where you are fishing. Here are some tips, from wearing the right fishing apparel to what type of bait to use, that will help you keep fishing into fall. Fishing Apparel Use Lipless Crankbaits Fall is when bass start eating more shad to prepare for winter. To mimic the small fish, use lipless crankbaits with a tight wobble. Bass often wait in shallow grass until there are shad nearby. Target the grass with the crankbait and get ready to land a bass. You can also use crankbait on the open water, where larger bass are likely to be found in the fall. The baitfish school up hundreds of yards from structures. You can go the simple route and use your radar, or just look for fish skimming the surface as the bass cha...
Post a Comment
Read more