Chumming for Mako Shark
When the offshore waters are still on the cooler side and before the tuna and other pelagic species start to move up the coast, targeting mako sharks can be extremely productive out in the deep of the canyons and also inshore on wrecks, lumps, and ledges. Targeting makos usually entails chumming a mixture of mackerel, menhaden, bluefish, and other oily fish over the side of your gunnel to form a slick that can cover a great distances. The oil and blood that is being chummed over the side will catch the attention of makos from afar, and will hopefully draw them into your spread.
Monster sized mako tackle is certainly going to be on the heavier side, with 50W class gear being the go to. The Shimano Tiagra 50WLRSA, Penn International 50VISW, and Avet EXW 50/2 are all capable reels with plenty of line capacity to keep up with blistering runs and enough drag to lift them up from the deep. Best to fill any of these reels with 80-130lb hollow core Spectra backing from Jerry Brown, Power Pro, and Momoi, and then fill it the rest of the way with 80-100lb high quality monofilament as your topshot. Hollow core is not mandatory, but it adds the advantage of being able to connect the braid backing to your mono topshot with a knotless connection. This seamlessly transitions through your guides, thus preventing a knot from being able to get hung up on a guide or roller on the rod, which will most likely result in either the line or rod breaking.
Traditionally an all roller rod was considered the norm when picking out the best mako shark rods, however rods with all open guides or roller stripper rods have gain significant popularity along with the progress of Spectra braided lines. Open ring guides with SIN (Silicon Nitride) and SIC (Silicon Carbide) inserts are ideal, as the braided line and mono topshot will both freely transition through without issue. Roller guide rods are still widely used, however with the super thin diameter of braided lines makes it possible for the line to get stuck in between the roller bearing and the frame of the guide. This can lead to your mainline becoming compromised, and possible break offs. The best mako rods include the TackleDirect Platinum Hook TDPS645080SIN, Blackfin Fin#156, Penn International VI INTVI508060AR, and the Shimano Tallus TLCSTXH2SSBLA.
When rigging up your new mako setups, it is best to form a long double line via a Bimini Twist or Aussie Plaite. The long double line will help when the mako is boatside with its added abrasion resistance and strength, as makos will often go ballistic boatside unless they are completely tired. From here you will want to attach a high quality ball bearing snap swivel between 200 and 400lb via an offshore loop knot, with the best options being from Momoi Diamond, Quick Rig, Sampo, and Sea Striker Krok.
As far as leaders, there are three viable options depending on whether you are aiming towards releasing or harvesting a prized mako. AFW single strand wire and AFW 49 strand cable are the most popular leader materials when constructing mako leaders. Single strand wire is the best for both tournament and fun fishing, as it is strong enough to resist cutoffs when in a mako’s mouth, yet easier to cut than cable if you plan on releasing one boatside. Making connections with single strand wire is extremely easy once you master the haywire twist, with the ease of crimping 49 strand cable being one of its only advantages. If you are deadest on releasing a mako no matter what, heavy monofilament can be used along with a circle hook since it will most likely end up in the corner of the mouth and it makes for much easier releases boatside.
While offset j hooks have long been the norm when targeting giant shortfin makos, recent legislation has made inline circle hooks mandatory in most US waters. While this can be seen as an adjustment for some, inline circle hooks can increase the chance of healthy releases while also landing plenty of tournament class makos to the scales. Even though the angler does not set a circle hook like a j hook and it takes some getting used to, a perfectly placed circle hook in the corner of the mouth is rare to come out. Some of the best mako approved circle hooks are from Owner, Eagle Claw, Quick Rig, and Mustad.Once you have hooked a mako, make sure the boat is in gear and try to outpace the fish by not letting it get past your transom. Makos can have a tendency to jump, and the last thing you will want is a 300lb class mako thrashing around in your cockpit. The name of the game is simply making sure you are not getting spooled and to tire out the fish until it is ready to bring boatisde. Continually wind in any slack line and let the mako keep its distance from the boat until its ready, as if the fish is too green at the boat it may go crazy.
When the mako is boatside, make sure to keep clear of any loops in the line and leader to prevent any injuries or a crew member being drug overboard. If releasing the fish, cut the wire leader as close to the hook as possible without getting your hands or arms within range of their razor sharp jaws. If harvesting, it is best to have gaffs and a harpoon ready and try to aim for behind the dorsal to prevent the fish from lunging towards a crew member or spinning out of control.