
Photo: Happy Little Nomad from Everywhere, Anywhere, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Carcharhinus obscurus
How to catch Dusky shark in Florida
Dusky shark feed in 62–84°F water and bite best at 66–78°F.
120 pts · trophy at 120"Feeds 62–84°FBest 66–78°FIn season nowBeach / surfPass / inletLedge / hard bottom
About
A big, slow-growing grey shark of the beaches and the shelf in the cool months, twelve feet and protected in every water it swims. Released in the wash with the leader cut close.
How to fish it
You catch them shark fishing from the beach in winter. Release in the water; never drag one up the sand.
What it eats
big cut baitwhole rays and jacks
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.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 state and federal — catch-and-release only, must remain in the water; confirm at MyFWC.
The current rule at MyFWC →Month by month, water by water
When dusky shark is the story
The Panhandle
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The Big Bend & Nature Coast
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Tampa Bay & Sarasota
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Charlotte Harbor & the Islands
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The Ten Thousand Islands & Everglades
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The Florida Keys
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Miami & Biscayne Bay
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Palm Beach & the Treasure Coast
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The Space Coast Lagoons
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The First Coast
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