Sharkman Surf Fishing

Frequently Ask Questions

How long do the trips last?

Our trips last 4-6 hours.

What should I bring on my trip?

Hat, sunglasses, a towel, and proper footwear. We also reccomend a a dry change of clothes. You can bring sunscreen or your own lunch and drinks. I provide a cooler and ice or you can bring a small cooler of your own. I bring a few drinks and snacks along as well.

What is provided on the trip?

I bring tackle and bait for 1-3 fisherpeople. Ice, coolers, an umbrella, sometimes kayaks depending upon conditions. Fly fishing trips are expected to bring their own rod. 6-9 wt floating or intermediate line. Call or email if interested in a fly fishing trip on the beach. Limited slots are available and seasons are much shorter.

Do we catch and release only or do we keep fish?

I like to practice catch and release on certain fish like sharks, but I like to keep certain fish like pompano and other desirable fish like redfish, drum, mackerel, or whiting. I will clean your first six fish for free or one big one, but sometimes we catch more fish than that, then extra fish cleaning is available for a modest fee. Fly fishing trips will be catch and release.

Can’t I just go surf fishing myself?

Certainly! Surf fishing is very accessible to everyone and that is one of the reasons we love it so much. As rewarding as it can be, it also can be one of the more challenging environments to fish and be successful in. Our ideal client is obviously vacationers who can’t fit their 10’ surf poles in the overhead bin on their flight, but also beginning and experienced surf fishermen can benefit from a trip or two with us who want to learn more and discover all the beach has to offer at South Padre Island. It’s an exploration every day up the beach. We provide fishing gear, bait, and tackle for 1-3 fisherpeople. Light tackle and big game. Bring your own gear if you like. Families are welcome.

What will we catch?

All sorts of stuff. The species available to us in the surf ranges widely throughout the year and in different surf conditions. The captain specializes in pompano and sharks, but we also regularly encounter whiting, drum, trout, mackerel, and even catch a few tarpon every year. You never know what a day will bring but you can time your trip with the seasonal changes to better your odds. Every season brings a different population of fish to our shores at SPI.

Will we catch sharks?

Often, but not always. We do catch a lot of sharks on our trips, but not every day are they an available target. If you are interested in shark fishing, it’s best to book in the warmer months between March and December. It’s a long season but larger sharks are most common in March and April during migration then through the heat of summer and fall.