How to catch Lemon shark in Florida

Lemon shark feed in 68–90°F water and bite best at 74–86°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 4 waters; in October they are at their peak in The Florida Keys.

80 pts · trophy at 84"Feeds 68–90°FBest 74–86°FIn season nowGrass flatMangrove shorelineChannel edgePass / inlet

About

The yellow-brown shark of the flats and mangrove channels of South Florida and the Keys, up to ten feet, sight-fished in two feet of water with a fly or a bait. Protected — catch-and-release.

How to fish it

Pole the flats on a warm afternoon, find the shadow, and lead it with a bait or a big fly. Wire leader; release in the water.

What it eats

live and cut mulletbonitobig flies

Live bait for it

Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.

Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.

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.