BigBendFishing.Net

Best bait for shark...Mullet vs. Ladyfish vs. Stingray.....and how to use. Whole? Cut? Stingray wing 6"piece? Thanks for any advice!!

DOC23 wrote:Best bait for shark...Mullet vs. Ladyfish vs. Stingray.....and how to use. Whole? Cut? Stingray wing 6"piece? Thanks for any advice!!

My favorite is stingray. I've used it all over Florida. Stays on the hook better than fish.

Mud-ducker how do you go about hooking them up? What sized hook?

It all depends on how you are fishing and what you are trying to target. For smaller sharks, a live pinfish is a great bait and you will also catch some other species. Cut mullet or ladyfish are good baits, but you will also catch sailcats, stingrays, and an occasional redfish on them. For bigger sharks, whole mullet, whole ladyfish, bonita, or jack crevalle will work. Put out different rods with different baits and see what gets bit. If you only have one type of bait, put one on the bottom and one under a balloon and see what the fish prefer. I am a big fan of circle hooks for this kind of fishing and I usually sacrifice the hook to speed up the release process and protect my fingers. I use 3-6 feet of 135 lb wire and 14/0 circle hook attached to 10-15 of 100# monofilament leader so I can handle the fish up close. I have a 150# quick connect on the end of the mono so I can change out my terminal tackle quickly. As for rigging, google Texas Shark fishing handbook for a bunch of different ideas or check out extremecoast.com and look at some of their reports as they often show their rigs. Hope this helps.

Another vote for stingray wings, but any oily fish (jacks, 'cudas, bonita, mackerel, etc.) will work well.

DOC23 wrote:Mud-ducker how do you go about hooking them up? What sized hook?

I don't use whole stingray. Depending upon size, I half or quarter at least. I hook them in the middle of the bait. Don't remember hook size. Big though. At least 2 inch gap between the barb and the shaft of the hook. Sharks aren't fussy about presentation.

[.

So it sounds like a 4" - 8" piece of stingray wing.

DOC23 wrote:So it sounds like a 4" - 8" piece of stingray wing.

Closer to 8 than 4.

Put 1 single hook thru bait or hook bait up thru 2-3 points thru bait?

DOC23 wrote:Put 1 single hook thru bait or hook bait up thru 2-3 points thru bait?

If you are using the thin part of the end of the ray wing, then hook more than once. If using the thicker part, hook once. Usually your bait will dictate how you hook it.

Good deal man. Thank you!!