Sharking The Bay

Now then, this has come up a few times before but after my Big Fish day last Friday I really want to do some more reel-screaming wrasslin, this time with big sharks.

This would have to be a team effort; a couple of sturgeon snares would be required for landing and unhooking.

Is anyone else interested in this? I was thinking of giving it a shot this weekend if the weather is co-operative. Launching at Redwood City and paddling out to deepish water.

I need to check my sched but if Sat I may be in. Squid is the bait of choice. I have noticed they really bite on a real low tide.

Count me in if the weather permits of course.
Jedmo

hey phil, sharkin' is way better april through october.  i think most of the sharks and certainly the big ones leave the bay in the winter. 

hey phil, sharkin' is way better april through october.  i think most of the sharks and certainly the big ones leave the bay in the winter. 

Okay, I'll bite. How big are the big ones?

Not sure I can make it to this one. I promissed my son to take him fishing for trout.

for me a 5' leopard or 7 gill is big.  i have seen pictures of bigger ones, but like all fishing there are more small ones than big ones.

Okay, I'll bite. How big are the big ones?

On the cover of WON this summer there was a picture of Matty Murakami holding up the head of his 8 1/2 foot sevengill that was caught out in about 50 ft of water out off of oyster point I believe. I've never met the guy but he's a shark fishing fanatic and has several pics online of 6-8 ft sharks sevengills and soup fins. (all inside the bay)

I'll see if I can dig up some of the pics to answer your question.


I, like Phil, have thought about a big shark trip in the bay, but I'm not planning on doing it any time soon.  Also I'm thinking wire cutters would be a better end to the fight than a snare on a huge sevengill.  

BTW sevengills have wicked teeth, not like a leopard.

from the cover of WON, the quality is crappy but you get the idea it was 8 1/2 feet.

Don't think I want to mess with one that big on my SIK. 

But just to let you guys know. my biggest last weekend was barely a 3'. But lots of fun. I don't intend to snare one unless I really have to. I will be using brabless hooks for easy release instead.

Just inside the Gate, north side, on the first point is a hole full of big sharks in the summer. Beware of big 7 gills on a yak, they can take it to the bone in a milli-second. Big-wire leader, big hooks and a big bait. People brine whole macks or other fish. 10 inch plus baits. Get ready to cut the leader-keep a wire cutter within reach- if you can touch the leader, consider it landed and cut it. My 2 cents.
Oh, and dont forget to get a pic!

Aren't there some spots in San Pablo Bay known for fairly big 7 gills also?
Also wasn't someone just talking about some deep areas off Hunter's Point - maybe it's only good later in the year?

Anyway, I'm interested. And yea, way smaller than that one is just fine.

On the cover of WON this summer there was a picture of Matty Murakami holding up the head of his 8 1/2 foot sevengill that was caught out in about 50 ft of water out off of oyster point I believe. I've never met the guy but he's a shark fishing fanatic and has several pics online of 6-8 ft sharks sevengills and soup fins. (all inside the bay)

Also I'm thinking wire cutters would be a better end to the fight than a snare on a huge sevengill. 

Ha ha, it was Mattys old posts on PFIC that inspired my sharking idea. I emailed him for some tips. You're absolutely right about the wire cutters for the sevengills. I figured I was unlikely to hook into one but I'll have to cutters to hand just in case.

hey phil, sharkin' is way better april through october.  i think most of the sharks and certainly the big ones leave the bay in the winter. 

Yeah, this is what I'm told, but truth is April thru October I'll be fishing for other quarry. I have seen Matty and others catching some decent-sized sharks in the winter, tho' like everyone they're more interested in Sturgeon at this time of year. I have a freezer full of Acipenser now so I figure I can try to scratch my big fish itch with sharks.

Just inside the Gate, north side, on the first point is a hole full of big sharks in the summer. Beware of big 7 gills on a yak, they can take it to the bone in a milli-second. Big-wire leader, big hooks and a big bait. People brine whole macks or other fish. 10 inch plus baits. Get ready to cut the leader-keep a wire cutter within reach- if you can touch the leader, consider it landed and cut it. My 2 cents.
Oh, and dont forget to get a pic!

I've seen the "Fury" reports from there. I figure the shipping channels nr Redwood City are probably safer and a bit shallower, but I'm game for anywhere.


I can do Saturday afternoon this week; the wx looks really good. What do you reckon chaps?

Keep us posted,

ya'll still going? What time and were ya launching?

I don't think I would be messin' around with my hand anywhere near a shark's mouth filled with teeth. I wouldn't need wire cutters. I would cut my line WAY before it got to that point. Believe it or not I kind of like my hands.
On the Islander '07 Rocketman got nipped by a dink of a shark and it seemed to bleed forever.