Talk about an adrenalin rush! These hard fighters can be caught all year long, and they're one of the most-requested species from eager anglers visiting Islamorada, the Sport Fishing Capital of the World. And why not? It's possible to catch more than 20 sharks a day--including lemons, bulls, sandbars, hammerheads, blacktips, tiger sharks, nurse sharks, bonnetheads, and more--with the larger sharks ranging from 150 to 200 lbs.
Fishing for Shark in Islamorada
How do you fish for sharks? Any way you want! The shallow waters of Islamorada and the Florida Keys make it easy to target them with live or dead bait, artificial lures, and even flies.
With their keen sense of smell, shark are someimes called the blood hound of the water. If you supply a source, they'll come and gladly get dinner. Their sense of smell is so fine tuned that they can detect the scent of 1 drop of blood in 1 million drops of seawater. [Source] That's why if you're scuba-diving and nick yourself on a coral reef, you're a target for a shark attack...
A shark's skin feels smooth when you run your hand in one direction and rough when going the other way. It's been said that when you rub a live shark, you are giving it a chance to taste you. It is believed that sharks can taste you through their skin. That must be why they rub up against you before they attack! [Source]
But back to chasing them...
Shallow-water sightfishing is best March through November, but deep-water shark fishing happens year round. The backcountry is also home to a variety of different sharks. In the winter months you can catch your fill of spinner sharks, blacktip sharks, bull sharks, bonnetheads, and more. In the spring and summer months, the lemon sharks are extremely active, as well as many of the other species.
Heavy tackle shark fishing is best from March through May. The amberjack spawn this time of year offshore on the Islamorada Humps, which creates a feeding frenzy with giant sharks--massive tiger sharks up to 1000 lbs, hammerheads up to 500 lbs, bull sharks up to 400 lbs, and a variety of others.
Shark Fishing at Night
Sharks love to feed at night. So if you're looking to catch a lot of them and aren't interested in getting a suntan, night fishing might be for you. Shark fishing typically begins late afternoon and finishes at night, taking you through dusk and beyond. The effect is haunting, exciting, and unforgettable.
Shark Fishing with a Charter Guide
Whatever your skill level, shark fishing is a sport you will enjoy. Our patient and friendly fishing guides will take you to the fish and show you how to catch them. Fishing licenses, gear, bait, and tackle are typically provided, but check with your selected guide in advance for details.
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