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Shark Fishing

Naples Shark Fishing

If you’re an avid saltwater angler, you’re probably familiar with Naples fishing. If you’ve never experienced it for yourself, you’ve probably heard about how great the fishing grounds are around Southwest Florida. While most fishermen come to test their skills against tarpon, snook, or king mackerel, there’s another fish that’s abundant in the Naples waters, and it’s just as much fun to catch. I am talking about Naples Shark Fishing!

Most Common Naples Shark species

Naples shark fishing is some of the best in Florida. Local species include lemon sharks, blacktip sharks, Atlantic sharpnose sharks, hammerheads, nurse sharks, spinners and tough bull sharks. I probably don’t have to tell you that some of these species can get monstrous in size. And keep in mind that sharks are the ultimate predator of the sea, capable of killing and consuming everything else that swims in the ocean. Pitting yourself against such an adversary isn’t for the weak of heart…or for the weak of arm muscles.

And not only is there an abundance of sharks here, they can also be found practically everywhere – in the shallows, just off the beach, and over deep reefs and wrecks. Because of the number of sharks available and due to their voracious appetites, the species is usually pretty easy to entice with bait. Teasing their taste buds isn’t a problem. The problem is hooking the sharks and bringing them in. That’s where a professional Naples fishing guide comes in handy!

Fishing for Shark

Sharks have very tough mouths, which make them difficult to hook. If you don’t set the hook at just the right moment, your hook will come up empty. Even when you do make a good hook-up, there’s still the problem of bringing in a big shark. It’s tough to know just how a hooked shark will react. Some swim slowly away, some zip through the water, and some play sort of a tug-of-war with the angling opponent. Others, will make amazing leaps above the surface of the water in an effort to get free.
When you have a shark on your line, you have to make quick decisions. Do you keep the line tight? Do you let the fish run? What if it starts to swim right toward you? If you’re out with a reputable Naples charter fishing boat, you’ll have experts to help you every step of the way. When you successfully land a shark, you’ll most likely release it. That’s not always easy to do correctly, either. A shark’s gills need to be mildly stimulated after being landed, if the shark is to survive. Your Naples charter fishing crew will help with that, too.

Preparing the shark for your dinner table

On the other hand, some captains allow their clients to keep blacktip sharks and sharpnose sharks for the table. If you’ve never eaten shark meat prepared and cooked by someone who knows what he or she is doing, you’ve missed out on a real treat! Shark has a wonderful flavor. It’s mild, lean, and not at all “fishy.” Some diners think the flesh tastes like pork chops, while others compare it to chicken breast. Either way, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, and even if you don’t plan on eating your quarry, landing it will be a huge adrenalin rush!