Chesser Decoys

Fine Decoys and Eastern Shore Hunting

Since 1973

Shark Fishing

Many anglers in this area often overlook one of the sportiest fisheries around - sharks. The Seaside of the Eastern Shore has several species in abundance, mainly sandbar sharks (sometimes called brown sharks by locals). The coastal bays of the Seaside are important pupping and nursery grounds for this slow growing species. Other shark species encountered include blacktip, Atlantic sharpnose and sand tiger. However, even though they grow slow, they eat often!

Many anglers in this area often overlook one of the sportiest fisheries around - sharks. The Seaside of the Eastern Shore has several species in abundance, mainly sandbar sharks (sometimes called brown sharks by locals). The coastal bays of the Seaside are important pupping and nursery grounds for this slow growing species. Other shark species encountered include blacktip, Atlantic sharpnose and sand tiger. However, even though they grow slow, they eat often!

While some very large sharks are caught every year, of interest to light tackle anglers are the smaller fish from 2 to 5 feet long depending on your constitution). These guys are strong and fast and will test light tackle gear and technique. Anglers will find that finesse is the key to successfully handling screaming runs and quick changes of direction. The best part is that great fishing for this species is to be had in protected, narrow deep channels on the scenic Seaside, making such outings less dependent on weather and all-together a pleasure. Additionally, visits from large loggerhead sea turtles are not uncommon. Holden Creek's fishing boat, a 22' Jones Brothers skiff, is ideal for this type of fishing. The cockpit area is open and easily maneuvered while a spunky sandbar is running you around from bow to stern. This boat is also very stable given its flat bottom hull design.

Generally, shark fishing on the seaside is a light tackle affair using bait, chum and possibly deep artificials as most concentrations of these brutes are in greater than 20' of water with some stiff tides. However, we have caught sandbars in less than 10' and fly fishing may be an option depending on the conditions at the time of an outing. If you want to try a technique, we're game to try and make it successful.

Although anglers can legally keep one shark, we promote catch and release of these impressive fish! It takes 12-13 years for an adult sandbar shark to reach sexual maturity (around 6 feet in length) and they usually skip years between litters. For these reasons, they are particularly slow to recover from any over-fishing pressure. They give live birth in the protective confines of the lower Chesapeake Bay and seaside coastal bays and are about 16" when they are born. Catching one of these awesome fish, little changed over the eons, in person is a very rewarding experience.

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