South Texas Sharks
South Padre Island is one of the best known beaches in the nation. Thousands of spring breakers, surfers, swimmers, divers and summer beachgoers flock to this stretch of South Texas sand every year. Although South Padre is known as a wonderland for water lovers, it is also home to the beachgoer's greatest fear - sharks.
In fact, South Padre Island lies smack dab in the middle of what is known as the `Devil's Elbow,' which is one of the Gulf Coast's most shark laden regions. From Corpus Christi to the north, clear down to Tampico, Mexico to the south, the western shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico offers plenty of angling opportunities for a wide variety of shark species. In fact, no fewer than a dozen species are regularly caught along this stretch of coast, with blacktip, bull, tiger, hammerhead, Atlantic sharpnose and lemon sharks being the most common.
Not only does South Texas (and Northern Mexico) afford anglers an ample variety of shark, it also provides several diverse settings in which to pursue Senor Tiburon. In fact, at times it can be tough for fishermen to choose just how they want to pursue shark along the southern half of the Texas coastal curve. Luckily for anglers hoping to tangle with South Texas sharks, four of the region's most successful shark captains have agreed to share a sampling of their hard-earned wisdom.
BAY KING
“I do quite a bit of shark fishing in Aransas Bay during the summer and fall months,” said Rockport guide Capt. Richard Stroud, referring to the South Texas body of water which yielded the state record bull shark in early 2007. That fish, which tipped the scales at 515 pounds, was the largest specimen to come out of this well-known fishery, but was hardly the only “big one.”
“We catch a number of different sharks in the bay, but I'm mostly fishing for bulls and blacktips. These are pretty good fish - most of `em are over 100 pounds. And, we can get as many as five or six hits a day.”
According to Stroud, the key component to successful shark fishing in South Texas bays is determining the sharks' likely menu selection before hand.
“Depending on the current and the wind, I'll either anchor or drift. But, the main thing, is I try to use whatever is the primary food source at that time of year. During the summer that's usually ladyfish. In the fall, it's horse mullet - I'm talking about mullet that weigh 2 to 3 pounds.”
Location, Stroud says, is the other key.
“Usually, I like to make a drift across the deeper part of the bay - where the water comes into the bay - when we've got a pretty good current flow. If we've got a good current and if you've got good bait, it usually doesn't take long to find out whether those fish are ready to eat.”
PASS CATCHER
Port Isabel guide Capt. Eddie Curry has a summer ritual of fishing Gulf passes for big blacktips. According to Curry, water is the key to good catches of summer shark in South Texas. Or, more accurately, moving water is the key.
“I really like to have good water movement,” said Curry. “Really, any movement is good, but I prefer a strong outgoing tide. It seems like an outgoing tide serves to stack the fish up at the mouth of the pass, whereas an incoming tide pushes them into the bay.”
Although he typically sees sharks feeding on ladyfish along the current rip, Curry says he prefers horse mullet for bait.
“Usually, I anchor up and use a balloon to drift the baits back,” Curry commented. “My favorite bait is a live horse mullet. I just hook them right below the dorsal fin and let them swim around under the balloon. Sharks obviously like ladyfish, too. But, I find ladyfish attracts more junk - catfish, stingrays and that kind of stuff. Live horse mullet usually results in more shark and less junk.”
FLY GUY
“I usually fish for sharks around the jetties and up and down the beachfront,” said Port Mansfield fly fishing guide Capt. Brandon Shuler. “But, I'll also fish for them inside the bay, near the cut, in the channel and up to several miles offshore. It really just depends on the time of year and where I'm finding fish.
 “But, regardless of where I'm fishing for them, I think it's absolutely critical to get a good chum slick going. This is always important for shark fishing, but when you're trying to hook up on a fly rod, you really need to get the fish to come in as close as possible.
However, before picking a spot to begin his chum slick, Shuler says he likes to look for a couple of obvious signs.
“When I'm running the beach, I am basically looking for one of two things,” Shuler explained. “First - and most obviously - I am looking for busting baitfish on the surface.
“The other thing I'm looking for is a color changes. Most times, there is a color change just outside the jetties from the outflow from the bay. Not only will there be a clarity difference along the color change, but there is usually a pretty dramatic temperature change as well. For instance, it may be 84 degrees (surface temperature) near the surf, but 79 degrees on the color change.”
Once a likely spot is located, Shuler says it's a matter of setting the trap so that a fly caster has a legitimate shot.
“I'll usually chum heavy the first 15 minutes I'm on a spot,” said Shuler. “But, once I see activity in the slick, I'll stop chumming for a few minutes to let them get close to the boat. Once they are within 20 feet of the boat, I start chunking small bits of chum - maybe four or five pieces at a time every three or four minutes. This brings them to the surface and allows sight casting opportunities.”
When it comes to fly selection, Shuler says it's best to keep things as simple as possible.
“Any fly that's bulky and bright will do the trick if you chum them in properly.”
BEACH BUM
Of course, no story on Texas shark fishing would be complete without the inclusion of South Texas shark fishing legend Capt. Billy Sandifer. Although he holds a US Coast Guard captain's license and runs charters on his customized Panga, Sandifer is best known for his shark fishing safaris along the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS).
Although a great many anglers seek sharks in the 3-foot range along the surf, Sandifer is out for “the real thing” - fish 5-feet or longer. Since he's looking for “full grown fish,” he says he rigs a little differently than the average surf caster.
“A lot of times on the beach you have to use longer leaders because of the abrasion of the sand,” said Sandifer, who utilizes a four-wheel drive Surburban to ply the entire length of Padre Island from Corpus Christi to the Mansfield Cut. “I typically use 30-foot leaders. I'll use 178 pound (#12) single wire to the hook and put some multi-strand cable above that. I consider 65-pound test the smallest you should use for shark.
“And, always make sure you have at least 300 yards left on the spool after you run the baits out. You never know what will hit and it's an injustice to the shark to leave him dragging all that line and rigging around (if he spools you). If the reel doesn't hold enough line to catch the fish, don't cast it.”
Sandifer also believes in “matching the hatch” along the beachfront.
“There are lots of seasonal baits,” Sandifer said. “Believe it or not, sheepshead is the best winter bait. You've got to cut off those hard spines of theirs, but the sharks sure do like them. In spring, it's sting ray. But later, a cownose ray is twice the bait as a sting ray. Of course, they all eat whiting. And, when the ladyfish show up (in the summer), that's all they want.”
However, Sandifer, who is admittedly fascinated by sharks, believes the most important thing anglers along the beachfront can do is make careful observations and learn from what they observe.
“I never thought I'd make any money (at guiding),” stated Sandifer. “I just wanted to stay out there (on the beach). The ocean is my classroom. I go to school every day. And, I learn something new everyday. I really believe the more diverse your fishing is, the better fishermen you are overall. That applies to shark fishing as well as any other type of fishing.”
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