In the event that you're heading out there to the surf or onto the pier this weekend break, picking the correct leopard shark bait is effortlessly the most important decision you'll create for an effective time of fishing. These sharks are stunning to look from with those iconic dark spots, yet moreover, they are usually a blast to catch. They aren't exactly the "monsters of the deep" that will you see in movies, but they're strong, scrappy, and surprisingly picky based on the day.
I've invested plenty of time sitting upon the sand waiting for that tell-tale tug on the particular line, and I may tell you that your choice of bait could make or break the outing. A person can have the priciest reel and the particular sturdiest rod, yet if what's upon the end associated with your hook doesn't smell or appear like dinner, individuals leopard sharks are just going to go swimming right past a person.
Understanding the particular Leopard Shark's Menus
Before you simply grab whatever is definitely in the freezer, it helps in order to know what these types of guys actually eat in the wild. Leopard sharks are bottom-feeders for the most part. They invest their time cruising along the muddy or even sandy floors associated with bays and estuaries, looking for anything that moves (or doesn't move too fast). Their diet is usually pretty varied—they'll go for crabs, shrimp, clams, fish eggs, plus small bony seafood.
Because they have such the wide-ranging palate, a person have a great deal of options whenever choosing your leopard shark bait . However, they have a very keen feeling of smell. They're basically swimming noses. If your bait is old, freezer-burnt, or just simple bland, they most likely won't give this a second look. You want some thing that puts away from a lot of scent in the water, creating a "trail" that leads all of them straight to your hook.
The particular Old Reliable: Squid
In case you request ten different fishermen what they use for leopard shark bait , at minimum eight of all of them are going to say squid. It's the "pizza" associated with the ocean—pretty much everything likes it, and it's easy to find. A person can get a box of iced squid at almost any bait store or even your local grocery store.
The great thing about squid is definitely its durability. It's tough and rubbery, that is a huge in addition when you're dealing with "bait thieves" like small surfperch or crabs that will try to chew your hook clean. To rig up, I usually including to use the whole mantle (the body) or cut it into thick pieces. If I'm using a whole squid, I'll thread the particular hook through the particular body a couple of times in order to make sure this stays put during a long cast.
Another little professional tip: if the particular bite is slow, try "tenderizing" the particular squid. Give this a few light whacks with a heavy object in order to break in the tissue. This helps release more of individuals juices and scents into the water, which usually can sometimes be the "dinner bell" a leopard shark needs.
Greasy Fish and Lower Bait
Whilst squid is great, sometimes you require something having a bit more "stink" to obtain their attention. That's where oily fish come in. Mackerel, sardines, and anchovies are fantastic choices for leopard shark bait . Because fish have a high oil content, they make a massive scent plume as the particular water washes over them.
Mackerel is probably my personal favorite in this class. It's a bit firmer than a sardine, so it stays on the fishing hook better. I generally cut the mackerel into "steaks" or chunks about 2 inches wide. When you're fishing within an area using a lot of present, you might like to wrap some bait elastic (that stretchy thread) around the fish portion to keep this from flying off when you cast.
The only real downside in order to using oily fish is that this doesn't last simply because long as squid. Once the oils are beaten up, the bait becomes a lot much less effective. If a person haven't a new attack in 20 or 30 minutes, it's usually worth reeling in and wearing a fresh, oily piece.
The particular Crunchy Alternative: Crabs and Shrimp
Don't forget that will leopard sharks have got specialized teeth created for crushing. They will love crustaceans. Within fact, in several California bays, their stomachs are often full of nothing but "innkeeper worms" and small crabs.
Using a whole sand crab or a piece of a bigger crab could be a monster leopard shark bait , especially if you're fishing near rocky areas or jetties. If you're using shrimp, try to find the "head-on" variety. The heads are full of guts and liquids that attract sharks like crazy. Just peel off a little bit of the layer off to let the scent escape, and you're great to go.
Lots of guys ignore crabs because they will can be a slight pain to rig, but honestly, if the sharks aren't striking the usual squid or mackerel, a crab can be the secret weapon that will saves your day.
Freshness Is Everything
I can't stress this enough: fresh is nearly always better than freezing. If you can catch your bait right there at the beach—like catching several fresh surfperch or digging up fine sand crabs—you're going to have much much better luck.
When bait is frozen then thawed, the cells break down, and it loses lots of that organic "blood and guts" appeal. It also gets softer, producing it easier with regard to smaller fish to peck away from it before the shark even finds it. If you have to buy iced leopard shark bait , try to keep it on snow until the very moment you're prepared to hook it. Maintaining it firm and cold as lengthy as possible can make a huge difference.
Rigging Upward for Success
You've got your bait, but exactly how you present it matters too. Regarding leopard sharks, I actually almost always recommend a circle lift. These sharks are likely to "inhale" the particular bait and keep relocating. A circle catch is designed to slide to the corner from the mouth and set alone, which is significantly safer for the particular fish if you're planning on getting and releasing (which I highly recommend for these beauties).
A "sliding sinker rig" (also recognized as a Carolina rig) is the particular standard go-to. It allows the shark to get the leopard shark bait and run with it without experiencing the immediate excess weight of your sinker. If they sense resistance too shortly, they might get spooked and throw the hook. Provide them with a few seconds to really get it, then let the particular line tighten upward.
Conclusions upon the Hunt
Fishing for leopard sharks is as much about persistence as it is about equipment. Sometimes you'll discover them in three feet of water right behind the first breaking wave, and other periods they're hanging out in the deeper stations of the bay.
The best advice I can give is to experiment. If you possess two rods out there, put squid upon one and mackerel on the additional. See what the particular "flavor from the day" is. The ocean is always changing, and what worked well yesterday might not work today.
At the end of the day, making use of the right leopard shark bait is about giving yourself the greatest odds. Whether it's a piece of stinky mackerel or a tough strip of squid, as long as it's fresh and shown well, you're in for an excellent fight. Just remember to deal with them with care, take a quick picture of these beautiful areas, and get them back into water therefore they can keep cruising the apartments. Tight lines!