Shark Fishing From The Beach: Surf Fishing For Sharks How-To
Ever thought about trying to catch a shark in the same waters that beachgoers swim in? Well, that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about today. Shark fishing from the beach is one of the most underrated and under-participated in forms of sportfishing in the world (especially in California).
In this article, we’ll talk about how to catch sharks from the beach by answering all the questions you might have when starting to learn about shark fishing from shore. We’ll break down the best bait for shark fishing, the best rod and reel for shark fishing, the best rigs for shark fishing, best time of day, seasons, casting and much more.
How Do You Fish for Sharks from the Beach?
Like any form of surf fishing, shark fishing from the beach is just the act of fishing for sharks while standing on the shoreline. Most anglers will “set up camp” in one spot as opposed to staying mobile. This is because the most important part about shark fishing is keeping your bait in the water as long as you can.
For that reason, a rod holder is most commonly used. Typically, you’ll have your gear (rod, reel, line, rigging) and bait ready, bait up your hook, cast out, and put your rod in a rod holder (or sand spike) as you await a shark to take your bait.
What is said above is shark fishing from the beach in its simplest terms. You likely have a handful of questions about each one of those steps, so that’s what we’ll be talking about later in this article.
What Types of Sharks Can You Catch from the Beach?
In Southern California, the most common species of sharks to catch from the beach include the following species.
Leopard Shark
Leopard sharks are the most common species of sharks caught in So Cal and they put up an awesome fight! They’re typically in the 4 to 5-ft range and absolutely gorgeous. Learn more about leopard shark fishing here…
My Shark Fishing Set-Up
- Rod: Fiblink Moonsniper (12 or 13 feet)
- Reel: Penn Battle 8000 (II or III)
- Main Line: 50-pound braid
- Topshot: 100-pound nylon coated mono
- Leaders: Shark Leaders
- Weights: 8-ounce pyramid or 6-ounce sputnik
Soupfin Shark
The soupfin shark is a slightly less common species of shark caught in So Cal. It’s more along the lines of what most people think of when they think of what a shark would look like. They can go on some insane runs and often times, they go airborne mid-fight! Learn more about soupfin shark fishing here.
Sevengill Shark
The Sevengill is the largest species of shark that can be legally caught when shark fishing from the beach. It can grow upwards of 9 feet and they complete the trio of commonly target sharks from the beach in So Cal.
Other Common Species: Shark Fishing Around the World
- Black Tip Reef Shark
- Dusky Shark
- Mako Sharks
- Thresher Sharks
- And many other species
What’s the Best Bait for Catching Sharks from the Beach?
The best bait for shark fishing from the beach depends on your target and your location. Try to catch or buy a natural bait that your target species will normally feed on.
For instance, the best bait for shark fishing in So Cal is freshly caught, cut yellowfin croaker, barred surfperch, or mackerel. Similar baits like grunion, stingray and other species also work.
How Big Should My Bait Be?
Again, size depends on your target. In So Cal, leopard sharks will take on a 1-inch segment of cutbait. If you want to increase the odds of catching a soupfin or sevengill, up the size of your bait to 2 inches or slightly more.
I typically use only a 1 to 2-inch segment of fresh or frozen yellowfin croaker or barred surfperch. And I prefer the whole baitfish to be no more than 10 inches for a surfperch and 12 inches for a yellowfin croaker.
Best Time of Year for Surf Fishing For Sharks
For most of our land-based shark fishing species, Spring through summer is best, but there’s a chance to catch sharks from shore year-round.
| Species | Peak Season | General Season |
| Leopard Shark | May-Aug | Apr-Oct |
| Soupfin Shark | Mar-Jul | Year Round |
| Sevengill Shark | Feb-Jun | Year Round |
Best Time of Day to Surf Fish for Sharks
Many shark fishermen have different opinions and theories about this. It seems that most anglers thing from sunset into the night is the best time of day for shark fishing.
I personally, have had success during every hour of the day. I’ve also had bad days during every hour of the day too though. Generally though, from sunset to the early am is the consensus. Additionally, you’ll be fighting fewer crowds that time of day.
How Far Should I Cast When Shark Fishing from the Beach?
For most species of shark, casting as far as you can is typically best. While further is better, I know from personal experience that you can catch sharks from shore with casts no more than 50 yards at times.
Best Rig for Shark Fishing from Shore
The image above shows the best rig for shark fishing. A simple 3-way shark rig with 90lb wire leader and a 6 oz sputnik weight should do just fine. See below for more information on the shark rig I like to use for catching sharks from the beach. Learn more about the best rigs for surf fishing.
- Rod: Fiblink Moonsniper (12 or 13 feet)
- Reel: Penn Battle 8000 (II or III)
- Main Line: 50-pound braid
- Topshot: 100-pound nylon coated mono
- Leaders: Shark Leaders
- Weights: 8-ounce pyramid or 6-ounce sputnik
Should My Bait Be on the Bottom or Floating?
Most sharks feed on the bottom so it’s best to use a rig with a weight or sinker that will hold your bait near the bottom. But, some sharks like Mako and Thresher sharks feed near the middle/upper water column – float rigs are best for these species.
Best Rod for Shark Fishing
Your rod for shark fishing should be matched to your target species. For most sharks in So Cal, a 13 foot rod rated for between 20-40 pounds and 4-8 ounces is perfect.
I use a 13-foot Fiblink Moonsniper. Head on over to this page for more recommendations on the best rods for surf fishing.
Best Reel for Shark Fishing
Again, your reel should also match your rod and match your target species. In So Cal, a recommded set-up would be pairing your 13 foot rod with an 8000 series Penn Battle or Spinfisher.
Learn more about the best reels for surf fishing here.
What Type/Strength Line for Shark Fishing from Shore?
Shark fishing from the beach requires a lot of line and a couple different types of line. Your main line should be braided line. The main reason for this is to fit the most line possible as you should be expecting some pretty long and powerful runs.
After filling your spool with 75% braid, finish with a topshot of heavy-duty monofilament. Then tie your wire leader. For example, I use 50lb braided line, tied to 100lb mono, and then to my 90lb shark leader.
I use such heavy-duty mono because of a couple reasons.
- Shark skin is rough and they often shred right through thinner line.
- When fishing reef or other hard structure, it’s good to have line that can handle abrasion against these things.
