Expert-Guided Shark Fishing in Miami Beach

Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus Limbatus) Description

Blacktip Sharks, another species of requiem shark-like their blue cousin, are known for the little black markings on the tip of their fins. Unlike the Blue Shark, however, they’re stouter and have longer gill slits. They also don’t have a ridge near their dorsal fins. Like most sharks, they have a long snout and a single dorsal fin. However, the Blacktip Shark’s dorsal fin also has a slight slope with a pointed-edge behind the dorsal fin.

The Blacktip Shark despite being stout is actually quite robust and streamlined to handle swimming in deeper waters. It has smaller eyes which makes it more reliant on the scent. Its body is similar to that of the Spinner Shark but genetically, it’s more similar to the Blacknose Shark which may be where it inherited the black markings.
 

Blacktip Shark Diet and Size

Blacktip Sharks have a variety of food in their diet. Most of their diet involves fish. Some of these fish include sardines, herring, anchovy, mackerel, groupers, and flatfish. However, in some parts of the world particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, they seem to have a preference for Atlantic Croaker.
Blacktip Sharks grow up to an average of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). However, they have a maximum reported length of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) weighing 271 lbs.
 

Interesting Facts about the Blacktip Shark

• Blacktip Sharks are known for jumping on boats!
  • They have an excitable personality and they’re quite sociable too which makes them more prone to feeding frenzies when they smell their favorite food.
• Despite being excitable, Blacktip Sharks can be quite timid and prefer watching from afar.
  • Because of their timid nature, Blacktip Sharks can lose out to the Galapagos Sharks.
• Blacktip Sharks are known for their agonistic response especially when they confront another shark.
• Blacktip Sharks are known for jumping high up into the air. They can reach up to 21 ft per second!
• Like the Blue Shark, the Blacktip Shark’s timid nature makes it an easy target for finning.
   

Blacktip Shark – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Blacktip Shark

When fishing for a Blacktip Shark, you’re going to need a heavy braided-line. You’ll need equipment that can handle at least 20-50 pounds and some circle hooks to make sure the connections don’t snap. Using a braided line makes fishing for a Blacktip Shark more forgiving especially if they become quite excitable.

Once you have your equipment, start setting up different lines to reel them in. Blacktip Sharks are known to patrol areas where they can find their preferred fish, making them loiter around artificial reefs. After that, bring out the chum. Using mackerel, herring, and their other preferred fish, pound it to paste and begin seasoning the water. That usually means pouring down the chum into the water where they can detect it. Other anglers also suggest using live sardines since they’re oily.

Fish that are oily and strong-smelling are a preferred bait for catching a Blacktip Shark.
 

Blacktip Shark Habitat and Distribution

Blacktip Sharks can be found in the tropical waters of Massachusetts and Brazil.  However, they are also found near the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Blacktip Sharks were also spotted at the boundary of the Indian Ocean.

In the waters, however, Blacktip Sharks are often swimming in 98ft worth of water and usually stay in over continental and insular shelves. However, sometimes they can be found in 210 ft. They also prefer muddy bays and island lagoons.

Bull Shark

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas) 

The Bull Shark is a known aggressive species of sharks, native to shallow coastal waters in warm areas. They are medium-size sharks, with thick, stout bodies and long pectoral fins. They are gray on top and white below, and the fins have dark tips, particularly on young. They have very short snouts and the adults are light to dark gray on the dorsal side and white on the ventral side. Juveniles are a brownish-gray color and have black tips on their fins. Their teeth are broad and make a jagged triangle up top and along the jawline. The shark has placoid scales (overlapping, sharp, pointed triangular scales) that effectively protect them.

Size 

The common Bull Shark is 8-12 feet long. The pups are 2-3 feet long at birth. Their weight varies according to their length, from 200 to 300 pounds. The male is lighter and taller, while the females are shorter and more substantial. A healthy Bull Shark lifespan is about 12 years old, but records indicate that 16 years is possible. 

Interesting Facts 

Bull Sharks need salt in their body to survive. When excess salt accumulates in its body, a rectal gland excretes the excess. Their rectal gland is less active than that of the other shark species, which makes them able to survive in freshwater. When their body needs more salt, the liver produces ureas, which allow the fish to adapt to any changes in salinity. 

They are viviparous fish, which means they give birth to their young as mammals. The female Bull Shark carries her pups; they can have up to 13 of them, for 10 to 11 months, and then give birth. Once they are born, their mother swims away, leaving the pups to survive alone.

Habitat and Distribution

Bull Sharks are the top predator found in coastal waters around the world. They live in the Mississippi River, and they are a summer visitor to the Chesapeake Bay, which occurs from late June through September. They are known to live in freshwater lakes and rivers. They are found cruising the warm and shallow waters of all the world's oceans and are capable of moving into brackish water, where saltwater and freshwater mix. 

Bull Sharks are found in coastal waters of the oceans worldwide, and in rivers, lakes, along with deep streams. They span from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. They can also be found on the west coast the southern tip of the US to Peru.

Bull Shark Fishing 

Float angling or natural bait is more productive when hunting this species; the options include whole fish like bream herrings, mullet, or cut fish like mackerel, bonito, red mullet, and barracuda. The cut fish can be dipped in tuna oil to improve the scent. Bull Sharks will respond well to a chum. Once they are on the surface, they will easily beat topwater lures like plugs or even flies. The best secret for bait for Bull Sharks is freshwater eel. Eel is excellent bait due to its high oil content, and its firm skin makes it very resistant to pickers.

Goliath Grouper

Goliath Grouper

Fish Description

As the name implies, this is a gigantic species of Grouper. As the biggest Grouper in the western Atlantic, they are stocky in shape, have tiny eyes and broadheads. Their pectoral and tail fins are connected along the back. They can live in brackish water and tolerate low oxygen levels.

They can grow to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 800 pounds. 

Atlantic Goliath Grouper vs. Pacific Goliath Grouper

At one time, it was thought the Atlantic and Pacific Goliath Groupers were the same species, and centuries ago, they were the same species. They are now considered sister species. There are a few distinguishing marks between the two. The Pacific Goliath Grouper has primarily dark grey coloration, which is punctuated by small, white spots and blotches, and many times yellow accenting their fins. The Atlantic Goliath Grouper is mottled tan and grey. The Atlantic Grouper is also larger than the Pacific species.

Interesting Fish Facts

 Adult Goliath Groupers gather together in spawning groups as soon as they prepared to mate. The groups vary in size, number, and location. Once they are together, the females lay eggs. Once the males fertilize the eggs, they rise to the surface of the water. The eggs then drift with the ocean currents for about 40 to 60 days, reaching the nursery areas as the baby groupers hatch out. These tiny groupers swim to the bottom of the ocean and hide in sea mangroves and grasses until they grow larger. 

They may experience a sex reversal with age. All young groupers are female, but as they grow older, some become male. Only small percentages remain out of maturity long enough to become males, thus ensuring that most groupers are egg-laying females. 

In addition to its potentially large size, an extra defense that some Groupers have is the ability to change their skin color. At times the color change is as simple as changing from dark to light to mix in with different light levels. Other Groupers have developed colorful patterns consisting of stripes, blotches, or spots that help them blend with the ocean floor and reef bottom.

Goliath Groupers are known to live 35 years, but now some scientists estimate the lifespan for these mammoth fish is 50 - 100 years.

Divers beware! These groupers are known to stalk divers.

Habitat & Distribution

Juveniles live and survive in canals, brackish estuaries, and mangrove swamps. When they mature, they move to shallow, tropical waters among coral or artificial reefs. Notably, they are one of the few groupers found in brackish water. 

Goliath Grouper are loners. There are limited home ranges; these fish can be alone. They are primarily found in shallow, tropical waters in man-made and natural structures especially coral reefs. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, they navigate yearly to a spawning area for breeding; the location and season vary according to the population.

The Goliath Grouper's population is concentrated in the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys. Occasionally, they are found as far north as New England on the coast of Massachusetts and Maine.

They are also found in the Caribbean and parts of South America. 

Bait and Lures

Goliath Groupers feed on sea turtles and crustaceans, mostly crabs. Other slow-moving fish such as burrfish, catfish, toadfish, and octopus will be found in their diet. These would be good fish to use as bait along with ladyfish and crevalle jack. Lures would be unsuccessful with these huge fish. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Goliath Grouper

The rod and reel you use need to be strong and extra-heavy since these fish are known to break gear. Goliath Grouper puts up an intense but usually short-lived fight. That first pull will be enough to pull you right off the boat if you are not careful, so be prepared. You will want a very heavy rod.

Considering the shallow water depth and size of this fish, we suggest a 50-80 wide reel. It should be sufficient to accommodate the 400 - 600 pound monofilament fishing line you will need. And as these fish live near rocks, reefs, and structures, you will need a line with some stretch. A 600-pound test monofilament fishing line is abrasion-resistant and will give you what you need. We also recommend a 20/O circle hook, big enough to get around the massive jaws of this fish. 

The key to Grouper fishing is anchoring close enough to the reef so you can get the fish will come out to take the bait, but also distant enough to have a chance to pull them away from the reef before they try to get back and break you off. One important tip when fishing is to bounce the bait off the bottom to create some commotion. They have no predators, and they are not shy. 

Is Goliath Grouper Good to Eat?

Goliath Grouper is known for its unique taste, which is unlike any other fish you’ve ever tried. It has a delicate white flesh that is mild, yet subtly sweet, making it a versatile ingredient that can be used in various recipes. The flavor profile of Goliath Grouper is exceptional, and it can easily soak up whatever seasoning or cooking techniques you choose to use, allowing you to create a dish that is personalized to your liking. Whether you prefer it grilled or baked, this fish will leave your taste buds longing for more. Its distinct flavor and texture make it a popular choice for seafood lovers who want to explore different tastes and experiences. So next time you’re looking for something different and exciting to try, consider the Goliath Grouper, and get ready to be pleasantly surprised!

Goliath Grouper Population

A dangerous combination of factors going against the Goliath is that they are sluggish fish that are slow to grow and reproduce. Secondly, considering their large size, they are found in relatively shallow waters of around 150 feet. These are a dangerous combination.  They have experienced an estimated 80% population reduction because of overfishing. Because of this, all harvest of Goliath Groupers is forbidden by law. 

Remember, these amazing fish are protected, and we all should be doing our part. Adhere to the rules of catch and release and leave these fish unharmed.

World Record

The world record for a hook-and-line caught Goliath Grouper is 680 pounds caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, in 1961.

Tarpon

Tarpon (Megalops Atlanticus)

A giant 6-foot Tarpon jumping several feet out of the water is a sight few anglers will ever forget! This bucket list game fish migrates between the Florida Keys, Costa Rica and the Florida Panhandle. The Florida Keys is widely thought of as the tarpon fishing capital of the world.

Florida Bay is a prime location, particularly in the deeper moats around some of the smaller keys and the channels that cut through the mud and grass flats. Tarpon frequent the Atlantic and Gulf "strips," the edges of flats around Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West. The same can be said for Key West Harbor.

Tarpons are classified into two species: M. atlanticus (Atlantic Ocean tarpon) and M. atlanticus cyprinoides (Indo-Pacific tarpon). Atlantic Tarpon can be found along the western Atlantic coast from Virginia to Brazil, as well as in the Caribbean and along the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Tarpon Description and Typical Size

Tarpon have thin bodies covered with large flat scales. One of its more recognizable characteristics is its large lower jaw and mouth points upward. They are shimmery silver with blue-grey or greenish backs and dark fins and tails. The scales on top of the Tarpon body are darker than that underneath. This color makes it difficult for predators to see the fish when viewed from above or below. The tail has a deep fork, and the dorsal fin is elongated and thin.

Adult Tarpon can grow up to about 8 feet long and weigh up to 280 pounds, but the more common size is 4 feet and 80 - 100 pounds. Their lifespan can be up to 50 years or more.

Interesting Facts

• Tarpon are known for their acrobatics and can jump 10 feet out of the water and swim up to 35 mph.
• They are close relatives of Skipjack and Ladyfish.
• Although edible, people rarely eat them because of their small, hard-to-clean bones.
• Tarpon has been around for a long time - 125 million years kind of time!
• Tarpon are capable of filling themselves with air. This gives it a predatory advantage when oxygen levels in the water are low.

Diet

Tarpon are strictly carnivorous; they hunt mid-water bait fish, both small fish and larger fish they swallow whole.

Spawning

Tarpon spawn offshore in warm, secluded areas, usually in late spring to late summer and with a full moon or new moon cycle.

The sperm and egg are all released into the water in a process referred to as broadcast spawning. The female tarpons will release up to 12 million eggs at a time. Once the eggs are fertilized, they float on top of the water. The eggs look like transparent ribbons, which make it difficult for predators to notice. The eggs will absorb the nutrients in the water through the skin.

After hatching, they enter the juvenile stage, remaining in the shallow water until they have developed into an adult.

Where to Find Tarpon Fish?

Tarpon live in a variety of habitats. They mainly occupy saltwater but also range in the brackish water of rivers like Crystal River. They are primarily found in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, but not unusual if they appear in the open ocean close to coral reefs.

Tarpon can gulp air at the surface when they are in an environment that doesn't provide enough oxygen.

You will find them as far north as New England and occasionally in Nova Scotia, Canada in the summer months. Being migratory fish, you will find them in Southern Florida or Central America in the winter months. Their largest concentration is in South Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Some of the best places to find Tarpon include the Florida Keys, especially Islamorada, Marathon, Key West and the Everglades National Park. Miami is another great spot, especially Key Biscayne, Biscayne Bay, and Biscayne National Park. There are a number of other great places such as Boca Grande near Fort Myers and North thru Tampa Bay to Tarpon Springs and Crystal River. Don't forget Florida's Atlantic Ocean side with St. Augustine, Florida, St. Simons Island in Georgia, and San Juan Puerto Rico.

A Few Related Tarpon Fishing Articles:

Learn the Best Tarpon Fishing Spots 

Florida Tarpon Fishing 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Tarpon

Although Tarpon can reach up to 280 pounds, heavy tackle is not required. A 5000 to 7000-size spinning reel paired with a medium-weight rod is a high multi-purpose tackle for Tarpon fishing that will be sufficient. The reel should be corrosive-resistant and have a smooth and robust drag to tame the fish quickly. When fishing tarpon, shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and crabs are the best live bait. Stake out above tarpon-holding areas and drift your live bait down to the fish. Hook crabs in the shell's corner and baitfish through the mouth.

Fly fishing the shallow flats is exciting. Watching a school of the larger fish turn towards the boat, knowing you are one perfect cast from landing a giant tarpon, is exhilarating. An angler armed with a 10wt rod and a perfect cast leads the school of fish, stripping like mad to lure the large Tarpon. A few flies to try while fly fishing includes the Black Death, Purple People Eater, White Lightning, Tarpon Shrimp, Coker Smoker, and the Tarpon Toad.

Their athleticism is one of the most fantastic attractions of Tarpon fishing. When the fish is hooked, it will use its muscular build and incredible speed to jump out of the water. Be careful; often, these jumps help the fish remove the hook.

There is nothing like a successful and enjoyable tarpon fishing trip on a fishing charter. Fishing charters are the best way to ensure that you have a successful and enjoyable tarpon fishing trip. You'll have the chance to explore some of the most beautiful locations in the world not only because you will be able to access the best equipment and professional guidance, but also because you will have the latest fishing report, tarpon migration, and a guide to understand where the large fish are roaming.

Can you Eat Tarpon?

While Tarpon fish are thrilling to reel in, many people wonder if tarpon is good to eat. The short answer is that while you technically can eat tarpon, it's not recommended for several reasons. 
Firstly, tarpon has high levels of mercury, which can be harmful in large quantities. Secondly, their flesh tends to be tough and full of bones, making it challenging to prepare and enjoy as a meal. Additionally, most anglers practice catch-and-release with tarpon as they are highly sought after for sport rather than food. While it may be possible to eat tarpon fish if you choose to do so, it's not recommended due to the high levels of mercury present in their flesh and the difficulty in preparing them for consumption.

If you do want to test the waters and try eating tarpon, you will find a white, flaky texture with a mild taste and oily flavor. It is advised to only consume tarpon caught in clean waters to avoid any potential health risks. When preparing tarpon for consumption, it is best to bake or grill it and avoid consuming it raw. Ultimately, whether or not to eat tarpon is a personal choice, but those who choose to do so should ensure that it is properly cooked and comes from a safe source.

Tarpon History

A review of Tarpon history reveals that these prehistoric fish that have been around for over 100 million years have received much attention from scientists in Florida, especially over the last several years. To determine the survival rate after a long battle, researchers at the Florida Marine Research Institute track and release individual tarpon to determine how well they survive the battle.

There have been a few rare cases in which tarpon has been found in northern locations like Nova Scotia, Canada. Female tarpons can grow to over 300 pounds and can reach almost 8 feet in length. A female tarpon can live for over fifty years, and a smaller male can live for up to thirty years. In an aquarium, the oldest tarpon in captivity died at 63 years of age after living for over fifty years.

Tarpons are extremely slow growers. Juvenile tarpon does not reach sexual maturity until seven, and they can reach sexual maturity as late as thirteen years old. Most tarpon fishing is done right close to shore; the tarpon spawns offshore when the tides are at the highest on major moons when they are at their strongest. Tarpon spawns during the month of April through July. The significant moons are when other fish move into shallow waters while others are moving out to spawn.

For all these reasons, it is very easy to see why it is so important to release each and every tarpon as carefully as possible. For example, a 100-pound tarpon is between 13 and 16 years old. One female tarpon can lay as many as 12 million eggs.

About the Tarpon Population

Tarpons are one of the most sought-after fish in the world, and their population is dwindling.

Tarpons are a threatened species and are considered an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They're also popular game fish for sport fishing and commercial purposes.