Captiva Fishing, Sandbar Shark!

Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, December 13, 2017: Sandbar Shark.

CaptivaRentals.org: Avoid VRBO Fees. Rent Directly From Local Homeowners.Captiva Fishing Report, Wednesday, December 13: Sandbar Shark, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release; Red Tide Report (Caloosahatchee freshwater runoff may be lessening a bit; some Red Tide but it has broken up and largely dispersed); more fishing reports from other areas and Captains below.

Wednesday, December 13:  Cold Weather, Sandbar Shark, North Captiva; Pompano & Bluefish schools running inshore, Snook in the passes, Seatrout on grass flats, Redfish on oyster bars, and Grouper on structure.

Please also visit the SanibelFort MyersFlorida Fishing Report and Cuban Fishing sites.  Better water moving north of Sanibel up through Captiva & North Captiva.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.

Captain Joey, Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
Captain Joey, Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

“The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. It is distinguishable by its very high first dorsal fin and inter-dorsal ridge.[2] It is not to be confused with its similarly named shark cousin, the sand tiger sharkCarcharius taurus.[19]

Tim, Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
Tim, Sandbar Shark Fishing, Redfish Pass, Catch & Release, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, December 13, 2017.

The sandbar shark is also called the thick skin shark or brown shark. It is one of the biggest coastal sharks in the world and is closely related to the dusky shark, the bignose shark, and the bull shark. Its dorsal fin is triangular and very high and it has very long pectoral fins. Sandbar sharks usually have heavy-set bodies and rounded snouts that are shorter than the average shark’s snout.

Sandbar Shark, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, March 22, 2017.
Sandbar Shark, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Sanibel Island, Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Their upper teeth have broadly uneven cusps with sharp edges. Its second dorsal fin and anal fin are close to the same height. Females reach sexual maturity around the age of 13 with an average fork-length (tip of the nose to fork in the tail) of 154.9 cm, while males tend to reach maturity around age 12 with an average fork-length of 151.6 cm.[3] Females can grow to 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft), males up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft). Its body color can vary from a bluish to a brownish grey to a bronze, with a white or pale underside. Sandbar sharks swim alone or gather in sex-segregated schools that vary in size.

Sandbar Shark, South Seas Resort, Redfish Pass, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Wednesday, 1-6-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.
Sandbar Shark, South Seas Resort, Redfish Pass, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing, Wednesday, 1-6-16 ~ #Sanibel #Captiva.

The sandbar shark, true to its nickname, is commonly found over muddy or sandy bottoms in shallow coastal waters such as bays, estuaries, harbors, or the mouths of rivers, but it also swims in deeper waters (200 m or more) as well as intertidal zones. Sandbar sharks are found in tropical to temperate waters worldwide; in the western Atlantic they range from Massachusetts to Brazil.

Sandbar Shark, 1-25-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 1-25-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.

Juveniles are common to abundant in the lower Chesapeake Bay, and nursery grounds are found from Delaware Bayto South Carolina. Other nursery grounds include Boncuk Bay in MarmarisMuğla/Turkey[4] and the Florida Keys.[3]

Natural predators of the sandbar shark include the tiger shark, and rarely great white sharks. The sandbar shark itself preys on fish, rays, and crabs.

Sandbar Shark, 1-19-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 1-19-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.

Sandbar sharks are viviparous. The embryos are supported in placental yolk sac inside the mother. Females have been found to exhibit both biennial and triennial reproductive cycles, ovulate in early summer, and give birth to an average of 8 pups, which they carry for 1 year before giving birth.[3] The longevity of the sandbar shark is typically 35–41 years.[5]

Sandbar Shark, 1-18-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 1-18-15, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.

Sandbar sharks have been disproportionately targeted by the U.S. commercial shark fisheries in recent decades due to their high fin-to-body weight ratio, and U.S. fishing regulation requiring carcasses to be landed along with shark fins. In 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service banned all commercial landings of sandbar sharks based on a 2006 stock assessment by SEDAR, and sandbar sharks were listed as vulnerable, due to overfishing.

Currently, there are a small number of specially permitted vessels fishing for sandbars sharks for the purpose of scientific research. All vessels in the research fishery are required to carry an independent researcher while targeting sandbars.[3]

Sandbar Shark, 11-26-14, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 11-26-14, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.

In spite of their large size and similar appearance to other dangerous sharks like Bull Sharks, there are very few, if any attacks attributed to sandbar sharks and so they are considered not to be dangerous to people. As a result, they are considered one of the safest sharks to swim with and are popular sharks for aquariums.  Please see more information here.

Sandbar Shark, 7-20-14, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 7-20-14, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.

Sandbar Shark Summary

  • Snout broadly rounded and short
  • First dorsal fin is large and triangular, begins over or in front of pectoral fin insertion
  • Back is brown or gray, fading to a white belly
  • Interdorsal ridge present

Similar Species: Dusky shark, C. obscurus (first dorsal starts over pectoral fin free tip); bull shark, C. leucas (no interdorsal ridge)

Size: Up to 8 feet

Coastal and offshore waters, typically found at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet. May enter estuaries.

Predators and scavengers. Feeding occurs chiefly near the bottom on fish and shellfish.  Migrate long distances and they mature at about 6 feet in length.

Florida State Record:External Website This species is not currently eligible for a state record.

Recreational Regulations”    Please see more information here.

SandbarShark, Captiva Pass, 12-23-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
SandbarShark, Captiva Pass, 12-23-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.

Please click here to Book A Charter or call 239-472-8658 and here for Live Sanibel Traffic Cams.  Redfish, Click here for College Of Fishing Hats & Apparel.

We’re located in Castaways Marina, Santiva, Sanibel Island, just before the Blind Pass bridge to Captiva Island.

Sandbar Shark, 12-30-13, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, 12-30-13, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.

After a fierce storm, Turner Beach, the beach adjoining the Pass, is frequently covered with a bounty of shells from Olives to Fighting Whelks to the more common Conchs. The fishing is also renowned for sharks in the summer, tailing redfish on the bayside flats and snook under and off the Blind Pass bridge. Because Turner Beach faces Westward, the sunsets are spectacular and a popular viewing point for residents and visitors alike.

Sandbar Shark, North Captiva, 1-16-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.
Sandbar Shark, North Captiva, 1-16-14, Sanibel Fishing & Captiva Fishing & Fort Myers Fishing Charters & Guide Service.

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Fair winds and following seas,

Captain Joey Burnsed ~ please click calendar at the upper left or call 239-472-8658 to book a Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Boca Grande or Fort Myers fishing guide trip or shelling charter.

Cole & Big Sandbar Shark, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, 2-18-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.
Cole & Big Sandbar Shark, Redfish Pass, North Captiva, 2-18-14, Sanibel & Captiva Islands & Fort Myers Charters & Fishing Guide Service.