Has anyone ever fished for Salmon Sharks?
aYup! I have a good Buddy who is completely addicted to chasing salmon sharks. Used to come over to
The Rock each and every summer just for that (although he also went after salmon and hali's on the West Side). Went with him a few times, and gotta admit it was damn exciting!
He runs halibut or sturgeon style rods, loaded with 180 pound braid, 250 pound braided stainless wire leader attached to two over-sized single hooks. Bait of choice was fresh whole pink salmon, purchased directly from a commercial fishing boat. We targeted the area on the inside around Malcolm Island, good spot. There is an annual pilgrimage of these sharks that wander in there, chasing the schools of sockeye and pinks that are funneling through.
Like salmon, they like a slow roll to the bait - tricky to do. Drug the offering off the wire (double release clips) at near 3.5 knots, and when the hit comes, there is NO doubt you are hooked up!
And, they fight like a
Machine on Steroids often airborne, blistering runs, and sounding like some super-sized spring! average battle was about 3
HOURS! Man, you want to talk
ACHING arms!!
Boatside, they look very much like a smaller version of a Great White, and you'd best not get your fingers anywhere near their business end!
I am uncertain of the regs governing retention. My Buddy always releases them. He does have a tagging stick, much like the one used to tag swordfish in warmer climes, and he does tag each one he battles. I was there when we landed one he had tagged two years previously, simply recorded the number and let it go.
Some
VERY serious action!
Hardcore to the max! I am hoping he makes the run out again this year, and if he does, you can bet where I'll be when he sets out after them again!
Cheers,
Nog
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Topic: Salmon Sharks (Read 6526 times)