After 4 years of visiting San Diego and fishing with Capt Dave Trimble for Mako sharks on fly I have become very comfortable with the seeing these fish boatside and feel no pressure when it is time to cast the fly. It is a little different to fishing tarpon, permit, bones and other flats species where you have to be quick, stealthy and on the money. Do not get me wrong when a Mako comes into the slick your heart is going to beat harder and you will be wondering what is going to happen when he feels the hook.  Maybe he is going to go berserk and jump like a frog in a sock? Is he coming straight towards the boat? Man look at all those teeth! You have time with a Mako to decide what rod you will use for its size and even a change of fly if you wish. Over the time spent fishing for these fish my thoughts on using non IGFA regulation tackle specifically for sharks and big gamefish have evolved. The use of 30lb /15kg test tippet and a 1 meter bite decreases the stress on the fish that we are releasing and greatly reduces the amount of break offs and flys left embedded in jaws. Anything that helps us as anglers to catch fish and at the same time be very environmentally concious of what happens once we do is something we should all consider before casting our lines. Take the egotistical glory bestowed upon shark fishing by those who have a Quint like attitude and you will end up having and very pleasant shark fishing experience. If you want to be the man and fish IGFA there are plenty of fish that are size right to do so without killing one. Of course there are fish that are fly rod world records swimming around in San Diego's waters and if that floats your boat go ahead and do it. Just don't start telling me or asking about what or how you are going to do it,  nor for that matter chanting about how awesome you are because you did!

Quint: "Sometimes that shark he looks right into ya. Right into your eyes. And, you know, the thing about a shark... he's got lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll's eyes. When he comes at ya, doesn't seem to be living... until he bites ya, and those black eyes roll over white and then..."



This last trip was awesome with 10 fish released and 5 more that we just did not connect with. 3 of my fish went for air and there is nothing that is more spectacular and sometimes scary when a Mako gets in polaris missile mode. One fish after finishing a round of cartwheels and aerial twists came 180 degrees and went under the boat before doing another flip just behind my head. It is most entertaining as is just watching the fish as they arrive boatside  looking for the payoff. Chewing or mouthing on trim tabs, motors, zinc anodes and chum buckets as they search for something to fill the hole is very common. A fish fired up will chomp a fly quickly but not all fish are the same and they do not all eat as they are swimming away which is the preferred direction you want before setting the hook! My advice to those new to sharks on fly is to hire a guide and get a idea about how this is all done particularly the release methods and general etiquette required on the ocean.



The waiting, drifting and slick are reasons that have made me passionate about fishing for Makos in this location. There is so much fun stuff to see and experience. Sunfish, whales, dolphins, seals and all sorts of amazing sights are seen while enjoying the ride. This trip had a full on Navy exercise in progress with submarine recovery the focus and we also got to see " Dogzilla" in full flight.  Our San Diego trips leave me feeling relaxed and peaceful and our encounters with Mako sharks are not blood lust, ego driven macho beast battles. It's more an exciting encounter where we both get to go back to our real worlds, unharmed shaking our heads thinking what just happened!