David Lee
08-05-2005, 10:48 AM
Hello all - :mrgreen:
Since I've managed to finally land one on a fly , and several board members have shown some interest .... I thought I'd pass along the wisdom I've gained from three trips and one fish :roll: :P
http://members.sparedollar.com/fadoe/IM002241.JPG
I have learned that if the water isn't clear (3-5 feet vis.) , you likely won't catch them . They seem to have poor eyesight . Take a very close look at what is going on around you .... You often can observe Leopards hunting or crusing around . If you see one , cast to it (always something to learn from a refusal , right ?) . They can be spooky - try to use a fly that doesn't sink too fast , and lead the Shark when you figure out which direction he (she ??) is headed in .
http://members.sparedollar.com/fadoe/IM002238.JPG
Places to find them include small to mid-sized bays from San Francisco on north , the smaller the better . Get out there at dead-low tide , and watch carefully when the tide starts to come it .... you will likely see those devils crusing w/ dorsal fins poking up thru the surface (insert dark music here) .
Small channels leading into back-bays and large points in larger bays are prime spots to see them . If the bay/estuary you've chosen to fish in has an Oyster farm in it , try there first . Leopards are not difficult to find ....
Your rods should be 8-10 wts. , lines floaters , and leaders from 6 to 12 feet long . I haven't used a wire bite tippet yet , just 15-20 lb. mono . They will get into your backing , so use 30 lb. Micron instead of 20 lb. - there's a lot of 'sharp' things in the water .... don't lose your hard-earned Shark and your flyline .
Landing your Shark is an adventure - they don't have bones , so they are VERY flexable .... grab one by the tail and see just how flexable they are :shock: . I like to grab them BEHIND the head , and at the tail at the same time - that seems to work well on fish up to 4 feet long . While not exactly bloodthirsty , they WILL bite if you give 'em the chance - BE CAREFUL . Twist the fly out and let them go !!
David
Since I've managed to finally land one on a fly , and several board members have shown some interest .... I thought I'd pass along the wisdom I've gained from three trips and one fish :roll: :P
http://members.sparedollar.com/fadoe/IM002241.JPG
I have learned that if the water isn't clear (3-5 feet vis.) , you likely won't catch them . They seem to have poor eyesight . Take a very close look at what is going on around you .... You often can observe Leopards hunting or crusing around . If you see one , cast to it (always something to learn from a refusal , right ?) . They can be spooky - try to use a fly that doesn't sink too fast , and lead the Shark when you figure out which direction he (she ??) is headed in .
http://members.sparedollar.com/fadoe/IM002238.JPG
Places to find them include small to mid-sized bays from San Francisco on north , the smaller the better . Get out there at dead-low tide , and watch carefully when the tide starts to come it .... you will likely see those devils crusing w/ dorsal fins poking up thru the surface (insert dark music here) .
Small channels leading into back-bays and large points in larger bays are prime spots to see them . If the bay/estuary you've chosen to fish in has an Oyster farm in it , try there first . Leopards are not difficult to find ....
Your rods should be 8-10 wts. , lines floaters , and leaders from 6 to 12 feet long . I haven't used a wire bite tippet yet , just 15-20 lb. mono . They will get into your backing , so use 30 lb. Micron instead of 20 lb. - there's a lot of 'sharp' things in the water .... don't lose your hard-earned Shark and your flyline .
Landing your Shark is an adventure - they don't have bones , so they are VERY flexable .... grab one by the tail and see just how flexable they are :shock: . I like to grab them BEHIND the head , and at the tail at the same time - that seems to work well on fish up to 4 feet long . While not exactly bloodthirsty , they WILL bite if you give 'em the chance - BE CAREFUL . Twist the fly out and let them go !!
David