Running into sharks while fishing in the Gulf? Try these 10 tips, angler says

With the ongoing shark depredation problem in the Gulf, anglers have been scratching their heads in search of solutions to deal with losing hooked fish constantly to the aggressive predators.

I’ve seen it, experienced it, and often get frustrated as well. Sometimes you can’t do anything when there are seemingly dozens swarming every hooked fish.

However, I’ve got a few techniques that may help during the inevitable time when you find yourself with sharks below the boat, eating every desired fish you attempt to reel up.

Here are 10 things to do that may help in dealing with this problem.

First, where are you fishing? It may sound weird, but I find fishing in areas with other boats nearby helps keep sharks away from me. They seem to be keying in on the sound of engines and trolling motors, so others in the area could be drawing them in. That said, don’t pull right up on people.

On a side note, a smaller bottom used to be a solution to getting away from sharks, but that is no longer the case. It’s more like bigger bottom always has sharks, smaller bottom probably has sharks.

Second, don’t chum immediately. I love to chum, it helps raise fish like snapper and bring in pelagics like tuna. But it also uses one of the strongest senses a shark has, smell, to key them into your location.

Third, what type of bait are you using? Like chumming, dead baits probably bring in sharks faster than live bait or artificial. But dead baits are great at catching fish as well, so its a catch-22.

Fourth, if sharks show up and you hook one, keep it hooked while other anglers are fishing but be weary. This can lead to problems like tangles if you are fighting the shark up and down, but if the shark is swimming away it can often drag other sharks with it.

Fifth, if another angler has a shark hooked and you can drop, do it. Sometimes it raises fish as the shark’s predatory action can be an attractant with fish bits shredding in the water. If you hook up, there’s one less shark that can attack your hooked fish.

Sixth, use heavier tackle. This includes your hooks and line. I’m a big proponent of light tackle fishing offshore, but the shark problem has made me rethink what I’m fishing with. Stronger hooks are often necessary to pull fish away by using…

Seventh, the reel-like crazy method. Don’t. Stop. Reeling. With heavier tackle, you should hopefully be able to crank them straight up. Sharks have an easier time when a fish is stationary or moving down in the water column which is made easier by…

Eighth, the rod holder method. I love to use a conventional rod holder and just focus my effort on reeling. If I can use all my energy in cranking it will make getting it through sharks easier and the fish doesn’t have a chance to turn.

Ninth, drifting. I’m not a fan of drifting, but sometimes on hard bottom areas, the silence provided by engines being off and covering an area can help to keep sharks slightly off your scent. If you drift away from your main spot, sharks may follow, allowing you to go back for a drop.

Tenth, when all other hope is lost, leave. Sometimes it’s the last resort, but when sharks are preventing almost all of your fish from coming up, it’s time to move.