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Photo: Albert Kok3, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Carcharhinus perezii
How to catch Caribbean reef shark in Florida
Caribbean reef shark feed in 72–90°F water and bite best at 76–86°F.
60 pts · trophy at 84"Feeds 72–90°FBest 76–86°FIn season nowArtificial reefLedge / hard bottomWreck
About
The grey shark of the Keys reef edge that comes to the chum slick and steals the yellowtail off the hook — eight feet, thick, and a serious fight on the reef tackle it usually eats.
How to fish it
It finds you on the reef. To target one, a chunk of bonito on cable behind the boat in the slick.
What it eats
cut bait in the slicklive baitsyour snapper
Live bait for it
Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader80–150 lb mono
Hook8/0–16/0
Braid65–150 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereProhibited from harvest in Florida — catch-and-release only; confirm at MyFWC.
The current rule at MyFWC →Month by month, water by water
When caribbean reef shark is the story
The Florida Keys
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Miami & Biscayne Bay
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