Light tackle junkies will get a thrill out of the Shark fishing Fort Myers has in store. One of the most common catches in these waters is the Bull Shark, feared (and revered) by many for its iconic aggression.

Bull Sharks are known to reach up to 1,000 lbs in size, but the ones cruising the shallow waters of Fort Myers don’t usually top 500 lbs. These thugs are joined by a host of troublemakers, including Hammerheads, Lemons, Blacktips, Tigers, Makos, Threshers, and Bonnetheads, to name a few. With specimens ranging from 4-14 feet long, local Sharks are some of the biggest and most popular targets off the coast of Fort Myers.

When and Where to Fish for Sharks

You can catch Sharks anywhere from the ocean depths to the flats of Southwest Florida—even from shore. Here in Fort Myers, some of the best Shark fishing happens just 1-2 miles off the beach, sometimes in water only several feet deep.

Shark season in these parts lasts 365 days a year. That being said, many anglers go after these brutes in spring and summer, when the waves are calm and a variety of species pass through the area to feed.

Warm nights also make for great Shark fishing, which means there’s no better time to hunt under the moonlight than a summer evening. Contrary to popular belief, however, you don’t have to fish for Sharks at night, and you don’t have to wait until summer.

In fact, some anglers argue that autumn is the best time for Shark fishing in Fort Myers. This is when Blacktips pass through in large numbers while tailing the second migration of Spanish Mackerel. On the other hand, fishing in spring allows you to go after Tarpon at the same time—and let’s face it, no one brings the light tackle action like this duo can!

How to Fish for Sharks

There’s no better way to woo this belle of the ball than chumming. Tossing bits of dead fish (often Bonito or Barracuda) into the water catches the attention of any Sharks nearby. The fresher the chum, the better. It can take 5-45 minutes for a good number of bruisers to show up.

Depending on the size and species of Shark, you might hook one on light or heavy tackle. Bigger Sharks like Tigers certainly call for the big guns, but you can catch smaller species like Bonnetheads and Blacktips using light spinning gear. Some anglers even catch Blacktips by fly fishing.

Your guide will provide quality gear designed to hold up under the insane fighting power of a Shark, along with wire leaders and the proper hooks to make sure you don’t harm your catch. If you’re intent on bringing your own gear, plan on a 20 lb outfit with a 7’ medium-heavy action rod.

Bait can be anything from live fish to dead bait, artificials, and flies. They’re Sharks after all, so they’ll be very easy to please. Fresh bait is best, typically Ladyfish, Mullet, Mackerel, Bonito, or live Threadfins.

Some Shark species are legal to keep in Florida, but many captains in Fort Myers encourage catch and release to help preserve local populations and the health of the fishery.