Thread: fishing for Leapard Sharks???

I know this is a long shot, 1 because this isn't flyfishing, and 2 because who fishes for these?

I hear there are lots of Leapard sharks in humboldt bay so today I went out with some squid and spin setup like the mad river tackle shop suguested. I went out as tide was coming in (best time after some research) and fished untill tide receded.

I didn't have any luck, but the crabs and small fish continuosly ate my bait.

suguested set up is 20-25lb mono with slip sinker, to heavier leader, to 4 hook.
Am I just doing it wrong?

ps I know salmon are starting, but this just seemed like an interesting thing that I can do really close to home.

I never tried it, but I understand that they are fun. One of my friends fly fishes for them, but the only way he hooks up is if he "juices" his fly pattern with some chum mix.

If you have a lure that has good movement and juice it, you may have a chance.

Dennis

Foul hook one of those bitches on a 12 weight and hang on.

try fishing at night, that's how a lot of guys target sharks off the beaches here on the cape. another thing they do is fish the slack at night. otherwise the general rule around here for beach/surf fishing is that the incoming is a better tide than the outgoing.

Maybe use a balloon or another type of float to keep your bait off the bottom and the crabs from eating your squid.

Originally Posted by idiot

I know this is a long shot, 1 because this isn't flyfishing, and 2 because who fishes for these?

I hear there are lots of Leapard sharks in humboldt bay so today I went out with some squid and spin setup like the mad river tackle shop suguested. I went out as tide was coming in (best time after some research) and fished untill tide receded.

I didn't have any luck, but the crabs and small fish continuosly ate my bait.

suguested set up is 20-25lb mono with slip sinker, to heavier leader, to 4 hook.
Am I just doing it wrong?

ps I know salmon are starting, but this just seemed like an interesting thing that I can do really close to home.

I have had success in Newport Bay on high tides on mudflats 3-4 feet deep using live ghost shrimp and anchovies on 10-12lb test - use a small live bait or circle hook and let is slide into the corner or the mouth. A lot of smoothound sharks too. With the lunar tides the next couple of days, you should be lucky.

Guys do catch em on flies. High tide at Trestles and San Onofre (both cobblestone/sand points) offers good fishing close in. Guys have success on frozen chovies. You can see them at high tide on sand bars at the santa ana river mouth just cruising.

This time of year big Leopards (6' 100lbs+) congregate by the beach in shallow water at the La Jolla shores which is a marine reserve.

thanks for the feedback, I am going to continue to go out and fish for these guys as it is super close to my house and a good way to spend some time.

hopefully I can post some pics in the near future.

Oh ya, to those who have caught them. what is the bite like? Is it a hit or do they more nibble. I had lots of bites just not anything that I would have thought of as a shark. Now I got to thinking that maybe these guys don't just grab and dash.

It has been a few years, but with ghost shimp and dead baits the takes can be subtle until the fish swims off. Live chovies - off to the races. My suggestion is to just let the rod load up and the hook will end up in the corner. Just let it load and start reeling while slowly lifting the tip so you don't get cut off. Light circle hooks. They are pretty tame sharks with tiny teeth compared to some varieties - hard to find a prettier fish. They range from light grey to very dark green almost black color phases. Buena Suerte.

Go get some of the Humboldt Bay Green!