By Andrew McLoon
Admit it, you’ve thought about catching one. Right after Jaws, halfway through Shark Week—sitting around with some friends and somebody says, “Hey, we should catch a shark.” Excited nods of agreement, predictions about how big the catch will be, arguments over how to marinate and cook the steaks. But it’s all talk… so far. Lucky for you, Au- gust signals the advent of peak shark season in the waters around Boston, and there are plenty of opportunities to make good on those shark catching fantasies.
Before you hit the water, you should have some idea of what kind of sharks you’ll be dealing with. Local shark fishing targets four main species: blue, mako, porbeagle, and thresher. Familiarizing yourself with these species will help you navigate your catch; while blue sharks and porbeagles are rarely aggressive against humans, the thresher’s scythe-shaped tail and the mako’s tendency to jump typically make for a more perilous battle. Of course, all sharks pose potential threats, and with an average weight between 100 and 400 pounds, you should be careful no matter what species you have hooked.
Setting a good chum slick is the principle tactic used to attract sharks. To create the oily, pungent slick—typically comprised of mackerel, bluefish, or bunker—trail a chum bag or bucket off the boat. Once the slick has drawn the sharks to the water around your vessel, fillet or butterfly some macks and bluefish for bait. As usual, conditions determine the effectiveness of your bait, so bring a few different options, take note of the varieties fish that surround your chum slick, and adjust accordingly. Remember to release sharks not intended for consumption.
For those with little or no experience: you don’t have to master the chum slick in order to catch a shark! Considering the danger presented by the apex predators, teaming up with a qualified crew is a great way to experience a day on the water, and there are a number of charters that can accommodate your shark catching dreams. Local charters will provide the gear, chum, and expertise necessary for safe handling of the sharks, and all you’ll need to bring is proper attire, food, drink, and a cooler to transport your catch home. Battling a shark can be an exhausting hour-long ordeal (or more), so rest up and invite all your friends to spread the work around. Check out On Time Sport Fishing Charters, and Captain Jimmy Koutalakis for more information on shark and big game fishing.
Of course, a successful day of shark fishing isn’t complete without a good meal. Meat from porbeagle, thresher, and mako sharks makes for mouthwatering steaks. Once you get home, throw together a marinade (citrus, soy, and fresh herbs are popular seasoning ingredients) and fire up the grill. Sear each side for two minutes to achieve a crisp skin and cook for an additional three to five minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the steaks. It’s the perfect meal to wind down a shark-filled summer day. And the next time somebody says, “Hey, let’s catch a shark,” you can proudly say, “I already did.”
Angler Kil Song aboard FV OnTime with a monster Porbeagle.
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