How To Catch Big Sharks On Topwater Lures (And Best Rigging)
- By: Wyatt Parcel
- on
When the bite dies because there are so many sharks around, do you pack it in and go home?
Or do you start shark fishing?
Well, this just happened to us when we were targeting bull redfish on topwater lures.
So when the sharks showed up, we started catching big sharks on plugs.
And you MUST watch this incredible on-the-water footage!
Check it out below!
How To Catch Big Sharks On Topwater Lures [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
How To Rig Topwater Lures For Sharks
You’ll need:
Go through the eye of the lure with the wire and make a haywire twist to connect it.
Remember you are twisting not wrapping!
And do not cut the wire tag-end because it will be super sharp.
Bend it and barrel roll it until it breaks off.
Then pull about 18″ of wire from the lure to your 50# mono leader.
Connect your 50# mono leader to your wire with an Albright Knot.
Click here to get the full steps on tying this knot.
Tactics For Catching Sharks On Topwater Lures
You can use old, beat-up lures to catch sharks on topwater lures and it’s a ton of fun!
But frequently check your lure because when you’re fishing for sharks, you can get holes in your plugs.
And once there’s water inside, they don’t work effectively.
The best retrieve to get sharks fired up is a walk-the-dog retrieve.
A topwater retrieved with a zig-zag motion on the surface mimics an injured baitfish.
But you don’t want to be too slow or too fast (so practice)!
Also, make sure you keep the wire out from the tip of the rod so you don’t damage anything.
And lastly, always crimp the barbs on your treble hooks (or replace them with inline hooks).
Conclusion
Catching big sharks on topwater is more fun than drinking White Claws around a bonfire.
So if you’ve never tried this, you need to give it a shot!
Have any questions about how to catch big sharks on topwater or how to make this rig?
Let me know down in the comments!
If you’re in the Keys and want to go out with Capt. Hollywood’s crew, you can find them at FloridaKeysFunFishing.com.
And if you know someone who would love to see this awesome footage, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Disclaimer: When you buy through links on our site, we sometimes earn affiliate commissions from places like Amazon, Bass Pro, Tackle Warehouse, etc. It’s one more way we can help you quickly find the best deals on the web while making sure we’re still around to serve you for years to come (and you do want us to be around to help you catch fish for many more years, right)?
Related articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Apart from the time and effort it takes to set up steel leaders, is there any reason to not use a steel leader when throwing topwater for jack crevalle and/or redfish to prevent getting cut off by blues or sharks?
If there are a bunch of blues/sharks that are stealing lures, then going with a short wire is ok given that most fish that hit topwater are following from behind and don’t get a good look at the line in front of the lure.
When tying the Albright/Alberto knots braid to mono, it is suggested that the braid goes in at the end of knot in the same direction as it went in to begin. On this wire rig he does it opposite. Is that only because it is wire leader??
Funny the same day this was posted I hooked a a 40 inch spinner shark on the moonwalker beta test lure that same morning. Wasnt targeting them, but still managed to get it in with a 7ft mojo yak + 3000 ballistic with 15lb braid and 30lb floro leader (which was of course totally shredded once I got it off).
OK, headed to the IRL in November and thought I might get my lazy old butt out of the boat and wet wade some docks. Now you tell me about these big sharks swimming around. Guess I’ll stay in the boat. Crap, I was sure I could catch some monster snook and reds under those docks wading.
Where do I signup to be a stunt double for Wyatt? I thoroughly enjoyed the video and rigging.
When the bite is fast and furious, and the stores are out of lures, try making your own topwater lures out of hardwood dowels or an old wooden broomstick.
I’ve done this on occasion when the Bluefish bite is off the hook in New England.
Interesting idea Mr. Rollins!
Fishing at the Marquesas over a wreck the Blacktips started cutting everything hooked in have before we could get them to the boat. We broke out a few old sailfish plugs on #12 fly rods and had an absolute blast!
Sometimes when life gives you lemons… you make lemonade! I’ve seen folks get upset when the sharks show up but now I’ve got a way to have fun with them!
This was a great video Wyatt! I found something else to put on the bucket list!
When Hollywood got close to that shark to cut the wire I thought for a second he might become Capt Left Hand Hollywood!
This looks like a blast!
I thought you might get a kick out of this Pat!!
Didn’t know you could catch a shark on a topwater👍
You absolutely can, and it’s a ton of fun! Just don’t use your favorite topwaters, as you’re liable to lose them when doing this type of fishing.
What rod were you using?
We used an arsenal of Capt. Mark’s Biscayne Custom rods! They were custom built for him, but I believe if you want one made you can give the builder a call/email : https://www.biscaynerod.com