Blacktip sharks are fearsome predators. This species is essential to recreational fishermen because they are extremely powerful and always offer an exhilarating fight. They are a top predator and vital in maintaining a balance in the ocean. They, unfortunately, have a bad reputation. But, my belief is that they are incredibly beautiful and a species that is misunderstood. So what is the best bait for Blacktip Sharks?
Glad you asked! in this article, we’ll go over our choices for the best bait for Blacktip sharks as well as how to catch Blacktip Sharks. We’ll also cover our top lures for catching Blacktip sharks too. Strap in, and let’s get started!
The Best Bait for Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Sharks have relatively small eyes, which results in below-average eyesight. They rely heavily on their senses, particularly their sense of smell. When targeting Blacktips with bait, use the oiliest and smelliest fish you can get your hands on.
We think squid, barracuda, and mackerel make the best baits for blacktip sharks.
Squid is always a great option, either on its own or with other bait. When using squid, it’s a good practice first to tenderize the bait with a tenderizing mallet. This will not only soften the bait but, more importantly, assist in releasing additional oils and smell.
It is also a good idea to get some smelly chum into the water when targeting Blacktip Sharks (even if you are fishing with artificial lures). Barracuda and Mackerel make a reliable chum – Mackerel is really oily, and Barracuda has a strong smell.
Best Lures for Blacktip Shark
Blacktip Sharks are known to hit various artificial lures, but because they suffer from poor eyesight you will need to get the lure close to them. Topwater plugs, slow swimming jigs, streamer flies, and underwater plugs are ideal for targeting Blacktip Sharks.
Large Poppers are great lures to fish because they offer vibration and disturbance to get the Blacktips’ attention.
Catch Co SALTNATIVE Saltwater Casting Spoon
This is a classic saltwater bait from Catch Co and has been designed in collaboration with expert angler Lawson Lindsey. This spoon is versatile and can be fishing in numerous ways. They are particularly successful when fished in the surf.
A slow retrieval with intermittent twitches will offer loads of flash and flutter. These beautifully designed lures are offered in silver or gold and are available in various weights. It is professionally rigged with a high-quality super-strong hook.
Best Rig for Blacktip Shark
Tackle Crafters Blacktip Shark Surf Rig
This Shark Saltwater Fishing rig is made in the United States and has been carefully designed by Josh from BlacktipH. It can be used by anyone to target Blacktip Sharks from the jetty, pier, shore, or boat. This rig is made using only the best components, including Swivel, Pyramid Sinker, stainless steel wire leader, Snap, Circle Hook, Sleeves, and 400lb monofilament line.
The Tackle Crafters Blacktip Shark Rig is perfect when using a braid and braided fishing line and has been designed to stand up to large fish. Anglers can also use it to target various fish like Tarpon, Snapper, Grouper, Black Drum, Redfish, and many more. By removing the pyramid sinker, you can also use this rig for fishing for live bait.
The hook on this rig is a 12/0 Black Extra Strong Nickel Circle hook, the 400lb mono is 6 feet long, the #15 single strand wire leader is 18 inches long, and the pyramid sinker weighs 6oz. The monofilament line is crimped with aluminum sleeves and 4/0 Roco Swivels. It’s a great version of the fish finder rig.
How to Target Blacktip Sharks
Blacktip Sharks can be found around beaches, sandbanks, and reefs. Anglers can catch them on any bait that avid fishermen can find in these areas. The key to successful Blacktip shark fishing is chum, the oilier and smellier the chum, the better.
Keep reading to learn more about our favorite rods and reels for blacktips.
Best Reel for Blacktip Shark
Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel
This is a fantastic reel from Penn, which is proven to stand up to a large game and sport fish. It features a Full Metal Body, rotor and side plate, Sealed Slammer drag system with Dura-Drag and CNC gear technology.
It also features an IP6 Sealed body and spool design and a 6+1 stainless steel ball-bearing system. Please note that all fishing reels, regardless of their price or quality, need to be taken care of and serviced by a professional regularly. Doing this will extend the life of your reel and will help you to catch numerous large fish. IF you prefer a traditional reel, check out our guide on the best bottom fishing reels.
GOMEXUS LX50 Slow Jigging Reel
The GEOMEXUS LX Slow Jigging Saltwater Reel is not only an excellent-looking reel but also manufactured with quality in mind. It features a Carbon Drag System marine level anti-corrosive components and a Pre-set lever drag technology for accurate drag settings.
There are 9-ball bearings plus two additional Roller Bearings with a marine-level stainless steel gearbox. This reel also offers a high line capacity of over 300 yards of 30lb mainline. The GEOMEXUS LX50 Slow Rigging Reel offers an ambidextrous reeling action designed to catch large saltwater game fish.
Best Rod for Blacktip Shark
The Fiblink Jig Spinning and Casting Rod
The Fiblink Jig Spinning and casting rod is ideal for targeting Blacktip Shark. Although it has been designed for vertical jigging, it is quite versatile and can be used for numerous saltwater fishing techniques. This quality rod is not meant to be totally inserted and should have some space between the male and female connectors.
The graphite will wear down after prolonged use. By leaving this space, it will allow you to use this rod further when it one day does wear down. The Fiblink Jig Spinning and Casting Rod features Stainless Steel Guides with ceramic inserts.
This allows for smooth and durable performance. 360 degree rotating gimbals offer forgiveness when controlling large target fish. This rod is constructed using premium carbon fiber, resulting in a durable, light-weight, and sensitive rod. It is equipped with a high density and extremely comfortable EVA Handle, which provides excellent hold, even when wet.
More About Blacktip Sharks
The Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a shark in the genus Carcharhinidae and a requiem species.
They can be located in subtropical and tropical waters all over the world. Most individuals feature a pointed snout, relatively small eyes, robust and streamlined body with five pairs of gill slits.
Author Note: These sharks don’t have any ridges between the dorsal fins and feature distinct black tips on the edges of their caudal, pelvic, dorsal, and pectoral fins. They have extremely powerful jaws, which are equipped with 15 rows of razor-sharp serrated teeth.
The Blacktip Shark is relatively small compared to other Shark species and can achieve lengths of up to 4.9ft (1.5m). They are white on the belly and grey on the back. Blacktip Sharks are quite “timid” in nature when compared to other Sharks and are generally wary of humans.
However, they can become quite aggressive in the presence of food and are responsible for numerous attacks on humans. These swift and energetic piscivores make spectacular leaps out of the water while feeding and attacking schools of unsuspecting baitfish. Female Blacktip Sharks (like all Sharks) are viviparous.
They give birth every second year and can bear one to ten pups at a time. Females religiously return to shallow nurseries where they were born to give birth.
Juvenile Blacktip Sharks
Young Blacktips will spend the first few months in this nursery before venturing out. Adults and juveniles form groups of random sizes and are capable of asexual reproduction in males’ absence. The Blacktip Shark is important to both recreational and commercial fishermen. Commercially it is utilized for liver oil, fins, skin, and meat.
Blacktip Sharks are beautiful creatures and can be located around beaches, sandbanks, and reefs. They can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They are “timid” in nature but can become aggressive in the presence of food.
Conclusion
The Blacktip Shark is important to both recreational and commercial fishermen. This species is important to recreational fishermen because they are extremely powerful and always offer an exhilarating fight.
Commercially it is utilized for liver oil, fins, skin, and meat. The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) has listed this species as “near threatened,” with populations declining at a rapid rate.
If you decide to use live bait, check out our guide on the best livewell seat combos.
Happy Hunting!
1 thought on “Best Bait for Blacktip Shark: The Complete Guide”
Great information. I catch a lot of blacktips in the surf of the Texas Gulf Coast. They are a blast to catch and, if handled correctly, great eating as well. Sometimes they can become a nuisance when you are wade fishing the surf and have fish on a stringer. They go for the easy pickings.
Thanks again,
Rex