A neighbor of mine called me a while ago and asked me if I could make a rod for a friend of his to fish for sharks. He doesn't know anything about shark fishing and I know even less than him.

Can anyone give me a hint on what I should be looking to build ? Do you troll for them or do you chum for them or do cast at them ? What length rod should I use and do I use rollers or standard guides ? What about line rating. My neighbor did mention that his friend lives on the east coast if that's any help.

Thanks for any information that you can throw at me.

You need more info. Sharks are not like bass - they vary greatly by type and size.

Is he fishing from a boat or the beach? Shore he'll be looking at a surf rod probably for blacktips and spinners, small bulls. From boat he can be catching anything from spinners to makos depending on where he lives.

I always fish fresh bait for sharks, some people troll. My largest shark was a 466lb bull, but I had just as much if not more fun with 6 foot blacktips on lighter standup tackle.

Not much help I know.
Phil

probably a 20-50 or 30-80 class should be fine...i use a 7' 20-50lb class rod catching 3-8ft sharks off the beach and dont have a problem muscling them when i need to

also make sure he has a reel that holds a bit of line (at least 350 yards)

Lance I have a Joss West that already has the butt wrap done! The original builders inlay is done in ivory. The tip top was installed by one of the best builders in the world & the price is right - give me a call!