I could also use some clarity on the Brown/Sand/Sandbar shark thing. With so many common names, it is hard to keep everything straight. As I know it, there are 3 species of sharks to be (typically) found in Long Island Sound (besides skates and rays). I know of the Spiney dogfish (Squalus acanthias, a true Dogfish), the Smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis, a Hound shark), and the Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus, a Requiem shark). This last one, the Sandbar shark, is the same species that the DEP lists a State Record for of 118lbs 7oz being caught from the CT river in 1995. The DEP lists the same record as a Brown shark. This shark is the largest of the three and can reach a length of 8', but I think is typically around 5'. So, I think most guys will need to upgrade some gear for sure; your not going to have a decent shot of bringing one in with your every-day Striper-and-Blue rod. There is some great advice in the article that Redneckangler linked to regarding sharking gear, but I don't feel is gospel for going for Sandbar sharks. I don't know for sure, but I am relatively certain that Bruce Kelly was not geared-up for and targeting Sandbar sharks that day in '95 at the mouth of the CT river.
Posted Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:49 am