Fox Goes Shark Fishing!

The winds have finally died out. But of course this was the day I was going to fly a fishing kite to attract and catch Sharks. Oh well, Not a problem.

Today I had Cliff and Cathy Fox and their best friend Freddy DuPreez aboard Cliff's boat Foxy Lady. Having cast netted live pilchards early on we headed out past Sprigger Bank to the Spanish Mackerel grounds. We caught enough Mangrove and Lane Snapper for dinner and released many more. We also caught over 20 mackerel and bluefish.

Around mid day since I did not have any wind to fly the kite I decided on a different tactic for the sharks. I butterflied a couple of the larger mackerel and tied them off the stern of the boat. We continued fishing for another half hour. It was hard to stop as the bite was on. Ladyfish, Jacks, Macs and Bluefish. We had used Bonefish Trek travel rods fitted with Diablo 350 spinning reels all morning.

Now I rigged 2 rods. A Fox Trek Tarpon Spincast fitted with an EOS 30 Trolling Reel and a Fox Trek Boat rod fitted with an EOS 50. Rigged with a double line tied to 20 feet of 100lb mono then a swivel and 3 feet of #9 stainless wire.

The sharks we would be fishing for are Blacktips and Spinners. Both species are known for their jumping ability. As soon as we casted back into the chum line it was an instant bite. 40 to 100 lb sharks. We were thrilled watching the sharks jump twist and spin. Many came unglued but my crew managed to bring 7 alongside for release. Cathy Fox ended the day fighting a different sort of beast. We finally had to  putt anchor and give chase. Last fish of the day was an estimated 250lb Nurse Shark.

Way to go Cathy.

Captain Skip Nielsen

another jump

pay attention when wiring one of these critters

Some serious big Spanish Mackerel
were caught this morning

The Blacktip slash Spinner Shark is probably the
strongest fighter and best jumper of the shark species

this Blacktip weighed an estimated 90lbs and is all muscle

Cathy Fox uses the Trek Tarpon Spincast
rod to tame a wildly jumping Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark getting serious air

Blacktip Shark smile

Cathy Fox uses the Trek Tarpon Spincast
rod to tame a wildly jumping Blacktip Shark

Cathy scores a nice Spanish using the
Bonefish Trek Diablo 350 combo

Cliff watches over Cathy and Freddy
fighting a double of Blacktip Sharks

Freddy uses a Fox Trek Boatrod fitted with an
EOS 50 Trolling Reel to bring his Blacktip Shark
boatside after a 20 minute battle

juvenile Mutton Snapper, note wet towel
used for proper release