Shark Season
Shark are some of the most beautiful creatures in the water. They seem to effortlessly glide through the water. There are some species that are excellent table fare. Among ones that appear locally are Blacktip, Bull, Blacknose, Spinner, Maco, and Great Hammerhead. Maco are usually caught in deep water. However, the rest are found during about April thru July in our passes, on inshore reefs, and in the bay. After mid July, the numbers thin out considerably.
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Tampa Bay is one of the best known pupping grounds. Many Shark during the late Spring swim into our shallow estuaries to have their live pups and mate. With most of them it takes two years to conceive and have their pups. One year they mate, and the next year they deliver their pups. Some only have two or three pups, others may deliver many. When fishing these Shark we take close note of a female with pups, and release her unharmed.
Although they may be good eating, when catching the large ones over six foot long, we take pictures and release them. There are not enough large Shark because in the past many have thought of them as a menace to humans and just killed them out of spite, and some have butchered them for their fins. We highly recommend you do not do this, they are very useful to our marine ecology. The law allows only one per person and two per boat, whichever is less. If you had 50 persons on a boat, you could only keep two.
TIP-When bringing one along side the boat use extreme caution, it is best if you have someone along who is experienced in handeling them, you can get yourself into a very dangerous situation easily. A Great Hammerhead with pups can send you running for a dock. When they get angry they will butt your boat among other things. So don't take these fish lightly.
Bent Rods & Screaming Reels, Captain RW
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