“Monsters In The Surf” © Guts & Nuts Productions

=====================================================
SECTION 1: INTRO: ‘HISTORY OF THE SPORT’
=====================================================

Like a lot of us, some of my earliest memories are of those in the outdoors, more often than not, fishing. My first catch was landed with my grandfather’s help on a stream in Pennsylvania. That trophy was a brook trout, which I returned to the water where it melted into the rocky shadows. That experience made fishing an important and permanent part of my life and began a quest for bigger and bigger game.

In 1975, I read a book then saw a movie of the same name called, called 'JAWS'. After that, I read and watched everything I could get my eyes on about real-life explorers and monster hunting super heroes like Frank Mundus, Zane Grey, Ernest Hemingway and Jacques Cousteau. Of all the fish they chased, the shark caught every ounce of my imagination and interest. As far as I’m concerned, they are the most impressive of all those things with fins. The term, ‘Apex Predator’ isn’t just a scientific designation. As a game fish, they are unmatched; affording their pursuers challenge, excitement, danger and plenty of adrenalin pumping, tackle busting, muscle burning fight. Like the song says, “If you’re looking for trouble – you came to the right place.”

I went looking for trouble and caught my fair share of sharks from the typical platform of a boat deck, But I’ve always enjoyed the solitude of the beach and surf fishing where I would occasionally catch small sharks. I started thinking then asking questions, and soon discovered others were capturing big, trophy-sized sharks from the beach and other attached structures. Seeing them with fish exceeding 10' in length, and in some cases, 1,000 pounds right there on the sand hit me hard. It was like a powerful cocktail of adventure, the beach environment and big game fishing. And it had a name, 'Land-Based Shark Fishing'. It was obvious, the dedicated individuals involved took their sport to heart in places like Texas, Australia, South Africa and the eastern seaboard of the US. If you’re like me, and have a thing for sharks, there is simply no other way to target, capture, and interact so directly with these incredible animals.

More recently, the sport has experienced a spike in worldwide popularity, largely due to the internet. This notoriety also reveals that, just as in any style of fishing, countless methods and combinations of technique exist. What’s different, however, is the variety of species willing to do business. Because, it’s right there in the surf zone, where, for millions of years, the tiger, hammerhead, bull, dusky, lemon and even the notorious great white are just some of the sharks making their living swimming, eating and making babies. It’s what puts these fish within reach of any angler willing to put in the preparation, some money, and most importantly, the time.

=====================================================
SECTION 2: ‘THE ALL-STAR ROD & GUN CLUB GETS IN THE RING’
=====================================================

Fortunately, my brothers have shared my outdoor passions since we started the All-Star Rod & Gun Club as kids. Using some of the huge catches I saw as proof, convincing them to climb the food chain with me was an easy sell. Finally, armed with some basic gear and knowledge, we decided it was time to go. Starting with the common technique of casting baits, success didn’t come immediately. But we focused on what the anglers we admired in other places were doing, and continued pounding the sand, researching techniques and studying the history of the sport. Ultimately, the sharks started coming ashore. They were small at first, but finally, they started testing us, and our gear.

Nowadays, we spend more time with the big guy in the gray suit. Our entire operation from gear to preparation to execution is entirely focused on monster hunting in the 120” + Club. But fishing here, at the top of the marine food chain, requires a unique commitment and an elevated attention to detail and safety. Everything is bigger and there’s more of it.

=====================================================
SECTION 3: ‘TOOLS OF THE TRADE’
=====================================================

Since common elements of tackle and tactics are so widely shared, a perfect mousetrap doesn’t exist. Some wrap leaders and hooks in electrical tape to reduce electromagnetic signals. And equipment and techniques like spider, breakaway or sliding weights, braided or single strand leaders, circle or J hooks, top floats, bait needling and bridling, top shots and shock leaders are just some of the means used in combination to the same end of baiting and landing sharks.

Fortunately, the sharing of information among anglers in this sport is a never-ending process and a big part of how we got to where we are now.

Here’s a rundown.

GEAR ESSENTIALS:
Rods: Customs by: Team Old School & Blackfin Rods, Jim Adam, Shakespeare
Reels: Penn Senators ranging in size from 9/0 – 14/0
Line: Berkley Big Game up to130#
Leader: 600# stainless cable with matched sleeves, swivels and snaps
Hooks: Mustard 12/0 J & 20/0 circle
Kayak: ‘Malibu Kayak’s X-Factor and Mini-X
Bait: Fresh is best, but also frozen backup of: stingrays, bonito, jacks, mackerel, kingfish, mullet, ladyfish, etc.

OTHER KEY INGREDIENTS:
At least one other reliable person
7’ PVC sand-spikes for rods and reels
Small arms tackle for the surf
Walkie-Talkies with waterproof cases
Life jacket with safety lights
Spotlight
Headlamps
Rigging table
30’ tail rope
Hook removal tools including bolt cutters
Fiberglass 20’ measuring tape
Cameras
Extra batteries
Fresh water spray bottle
First-aid kit
‘Safe Sea’ 50 SPF sun block with stinging marine animal protection
Cell phone, or better yet, a VHF radio

=====================================================
SECTION 4: ‘BAR HOPPING & MONSTER HUNTING’
=====================================================

Whatever means of bait delivery you’re using, take some time and look for key features like sandbars and the troughs (or ‘guts’) in between them. The first one, also referred to as the wade gut, is located just off the beach, depending on location. After that, the bottom comes up then slopes down then comes back up again to your first sandbar. Every location is different, but take time to locate this structure. During lower tides, it may be exposed with breaking surf. In deeper water or during higher tides, it may appear as a smooth patch of water running parallel to the beach. Depending on the depth, the area between the wade gut and the first bar is an option. If the first bar isn’t too steep or distant, you can also aim for the outside of it and between that and the second or even the third bar. These can be harder to spot, especially in low light, but take everything in. Sandbars constantly change and are different everywhere. Avoid placing your offering on top of one. It’s in between and along the bars, in the guts, that baitfish congregate and sharks do their hunting. Breaks in the bars where water flows through, schools of bait or birds working are also good signs. Avoid wading or swimming in any of these areas.

Depending upon conditions, we rely upon ‘Malibu Kayak’s’ X-Factor or Mini-X yaks when delivering larger baits to these drop zones for potentially larger species. My brother Brooks and I have developed a procedure that works well with one of us acting as paddler and the other as rod man. First, 25’ of leader system with a sliding, biodegradable breakaway 3-pound weight and a double-rigged bait is attached to the kayak. The leader stays outside while the bait and weight ride in the cockpit. Once the paddler maneuvers through and past the breaking surf, it’s the rod man’s job to control the line and tension. Using walkie-talkies to communicate direction changes to the paddler, as he moves toward the pre-determined drop zone, eliminates the need for him to monitor his course. Once on site, the kayak is turned parallel to the shore, and after some brief communication to remove slack or belly from the line, the paddler feeds out the leader, the weight, and finally the bait. We have an alternate signal method using whistles, in the event we lose electronic communication.

After a successful hookup and fight, and with the fish coming to the beach we prepare for ‘The Pit Stop’, another carefully planned procedure designed to last a matter of minutes. Our primary goal is to enjoy a brief, safe and documented interaction with one of nature’s most awesome predators. The words planning and safety can’t be stressed enough. Both ends of a shark are more than dangerous, and even after years of experience, we never forget the only predictable thing about sharks is that they are completely unpredictable.

After leadering the fish and bringing it just high enough where its body weight is still supported by some water, a tail rope is applied and we allow it to calm down while the hookset is assessed. If the hardware can be removed quickly using a long hook remover, channel locks or a bolt cutter, then it is. If not, the leader is cut down to the hook. I then apply a National Marine Fisheries Service tag next to the dorsal fin before fork, total and girth measurements are taken to formulate an estimated weight. General notes are made about the species’ sex and overall condition before it is photographed and prepared for release. Bringing fish to the beach as quickly as possible and the brief pit stop are critical in our efforts to release fish in a good condition and without the need for resuscitation.
.
=====================================================
SIDEBAR: ‘RUNNING OUT OF SHARKS? TRY TO LOVE ‘EM & LEAVE ‘EM’
=====================================================
Robert Hueter, Ph.D., of Mote Marine Laboratory and the world’s largest research center dedicated to sharks, recently shared the following information with me.
“Coastal sharks have been depleted by 75% or more in many areas around the world, and even fisheries management has not been able to reverse declines in some areas. Some sharks are even being looked at now for listing as endangered species. Overfishing of sharks, either in directed fisheries or as bycatch, is the largest source of the problem. Catch-and-release is THE conservation alternative in today's world of declining populations of marine species, including sharks.”

“Recreational anglers contribute greatly to the advancement of scientific research on sport fishes by providing logbook data, returning recaptured tags, and tagging released fishes. Tagging helps us understand the migratory patterns of fish species, and there are many more recreational anglers on the water than scientists, so anglers' information is vital in making these tagging programs successful.”

=====================================================
SECTION 5: OUTRO: ‘FUTURE OF THE SPORT’
=====================================================

As the sport continues to grow, we’ve been fortunate to form friendships with some of its pioneers, and the many new generation anglers. In 2006, with their support and input, The International Land-Based Shark Fishing Association was launched. Its mission is to unify the sport’s anglers by establishing standards for the compilation and recognition of world records for released fish, while also promoting -- though research, education and practice -- responsible management of marine and coastal resources. We’re not alone in this cause. Several land-based catch & release tournaments have been enjoying success in different areas. And the legendary founding father of shark fishing, and good friend, Frank Mundus, recently teamed up with Mustad Hooks to design a line of catch and release leaders featuring circle hooks. It will be called ‘Monster Tackle - Conservation by Frank Mundus’, and will be made available at retail outlets in the near future. Frank popularized the use of this innovation in recreational shark fishing many years ago, and was also responsible for helping to start the same tagging program we use today. All these efforts are welcome signs that a shared and growing dedication exists to ensure the sport and the fish we love will be around for generations to come.

The End …

Bio / Contact Info:
Sean Paxton is founder and President of the International Land-Based Shark Fishing Association, and a member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. He and his brother, Brooks Paxton II, are founders of the All-Star Rod & Gun Club and Guts & Nuts Productions, LLC, a production company specializing in outdoor adventure programming. Current projects include a new reality and documentary series co-written and produced with Frank & Jenny Mundus. The Paxton Brothers are also proud members of the ‘Malibu Kayaks’ Pro Staff. For more information including contact info, please visit: FishingGoneWild.com or LandBasedSharkFishing.com.