pier shark fishing

Best spots aren't on piers.. If it's piers only, try ocean beach or Imperial/Crystal.. Good luck

 

do it from the bay or the surf. Pier shark fishing is gear intensive and more prone to getting your catch killed during the release

 

I agree, if you're looking for sharks, I'd fish from a beach. It's much easier and you won't have guys using a gaffe on the shark. What shark species are you looking for?

 

i think people are pretty hush hush on their good spots. There is another thread with shark fishing locations going right now

 

The hardcore and best shark guys are CPR only and keep it close to the vest.

No meat hunters allowed into the fold.

Jim

 

Bay is loaded with bat rays and leopard sharks. They also tend to congregate in the same areas, so hooking into both is likely. Look for areas with drop offs and try to hit those deeper areas with larger baits. I prefer a double pinned squid or
4-6" mackerel or bonito chunks.

I prefer to catch and release both. Let 'em, let 'em grow, but you're allowed to keep skme for consumption if caught legally. It's your right. Since I practice CPR, I'll never target them from a pier. Safer to release from shore.

I only target bat rays once a year, but get them on occassions as bycatch. Super tough buggers once they get over 50". Best fighting fish from shore in my opinion. Leopards are cool and can be pretty spunky, but I prefer to target soupfins and 7gills. Much bigger and better fighters. Cool factor is exponentially higher to. You go about targeting them in a whole different way.

Hope this helps.

 

Look for current rips on the beach with structure immediately offshore. Use wire with care, really heavy mono/weed whip line is less likely to end up with your body parts chopped off or a shark turned too bloody to return to the water with any real chance (unless you enjoy a couple hours or more of work, soaking, bleeding, chopping, hanging, etc) to survive. Use fresh bait instead of bought bait whenever possible when you target bigger rays or sharks. Know what species you are catching is critical if you intend to keep anything as well.

 

Threshers are definitely accessible off of piers, particularly IB pier. Leopards can easily be had from most piers including the piers within the big bay.

Sliding live baits out is the best way to get a thresher from a pier.