Take me to school......

[XiBowhunter]

.....on how to catch some bigger sharks from the beach. I will have no access to a kayak, so casting is my only option. I have caught smaller sharks before, but none over 5ft.....Very few over 3ft.

I have two large spinning reels and 11ft surf rods, but i may buy a conventional casting rod/reel if I need to. what do I need to do to get into some bigger sharks? I will be fishing in Panama City Beach this September, and I need to get ready NOW. More than likely, I will be using Bonito or Bluefish for bait.

Should I just cast bigger baits? Different rigs? What should I do guys?

[team fin addicts]

Without knowing what you have for rigs, I cant tell you what to change there. If your hooks allow, use bigger baits. Remember the bigger the shark, the more fight they have, and you are going to be limited to the size and species of shark by the capacity of line those spinners have. I Started this sport several years ago on spinning gear and quickly got bored with the size of shark i was consistently catching. I have upgraded considerably since then. Find you a 6/0 or 9/0 and try ballooning baits out and just pop the balloon off and let the baits sink. Just pay attention to the wind direction, up there you should be ok, especially in Sept. when the winds start to come out of the north. Just my $.02 Hope this helps.

[XiBowhunter]

Do you know where I can read up on how to rig up for "ballooning-out" baits?

[bolo]

Fishing off the beach I find it tough to balloon a bait out. With the current running north or south and waves crash the surf it will take you awhile to get the bait out. Yaking a bait would be ideal. If you have a jet ski that is great too. Since you are using a spin reel your line capacity will be limit. Cut the bait to the size it will allow you to cast. Walk out as far you can and cast out. Make sure you have a weight to keep the bait there. You will probably catch smaller sharks but sometimes you might get lucky and hook a big one.