MAKO SHARK

FACT FILE
Name:	Isurus oxyrinchus.
Size:	Small fry to 35kg, 200-300kg specimens are not uncommon, the largest taken on fly so far being 67kg IGFA legal, but we regularly hook into much bigger ones.
Tackle:	12-16wt saltwater fly rods, reels with powerful smooth drags, 300yrds minimum backing.
Season:	December to May.
Locations:	Around coastal schools of fish and swimming in the blue oceanic water around current lines.

The Mako shark has become a very popular target for many of our clients. It is the step before tangling with the mighty marlin on saltwater fly fishing tackle, however the mako is a much more user friendly species to catch on a fly.
Many 30-40kg fish turn up with the warm currents in December, and the fish stay in the coastal region until May when the water temp drops to under 18 degrees.
In the deeper blue water, we see a lot of bigger makos, with the biggest hooked on a fly rod estimated at around 350kg.

The mako shark is an open ocean hunter, a true pelagic game fish that follows schools of skipjack and albacore tuna. It can also often be found close to shore chasing trevally and kahawai over summer.
As one of the fastest swimmers in the ocean, the mako shark is capable of catching a fast tuna. This incredible speed awaits the fly fisherman targeting mako shark on fly.

The fight itself usually starts with a fast run and several spectacular high jumps and somersaults. The shark will change constantly from fighting deep to fast surface runs, and it is definitely the most unpredictable of the species we target.

Several methods can be used to get your self connected to a mako on fly fishing tackle. The most common technique is to chum or burley from a drifting boat. This technique not only brings in sharks, but also tuna and kingfish may be attracted.
Since we have a lot of mako sharks in the Bay of Plenty region, they can be chased when spotted from a moving boat. Sight casting to a free swimming big mako is indeed one of the top experiences in New Zealand blue water fly fishing.

10-12wt rods for smaller makos up to 50kg are adequate, but anything bigger than that requires the strongest blue water fly gear available. Strong rods capable of deep lifting and controlling a fish in close are necessary. Sage Xi2, Loomis Crosscurrents and the Temple Fork blue water series are ideal.
Reels must be able to handle a true speedster, adequate backing being at least 300m of 50lb braid and a smooth drag as found in Tibor, Abel, Shilton and of course the Charlton Mako!
Big multi coloured flies with lots of yellow flash and feathers is by far the winning colour. Hooks must be extremely sharp to penetrate their tough mouths.

Presentation of the fly is the key to success. The trick is to get the fly in the same level as the shark’s eye, other wise it just won’t see it. Either a dead drifted fly in front of its head, or a fast stripped fly to an angry mako chasing around after a decent meal are most likely to draw a strike.

Landing of these beasts is not something we practice, even though many anglers would like a photo with their magnificent catch.
This is the most dangerous shark to deal with, and man handling one is not recommended. Mako sharks sometimes have a bad habit of playing dead next to the boat, only to be followed by another brutal explosion, this is when rods brake and lines snap. All mako sharks will be released while they are in the water.

BLUE SHARK

FACT FILE
Size:	Average 30-75kg, but grow to around 500kg.
Tackle:	10-14wt saltwater fly rods, reels with powerful smooth drags, 300yrds minimum backing.
Season:	All year round, as they will swim in waters from 7 degrees in winter, to blue water temperatures over 21 degrees Celsius in summer..
Locations:	Often the blue shark can be found close inshore, but of course also swimming the oceanic currents and blue water found only a few kilometres offshore in summer.

Blue sharks have been nick named the wolves of the sea and feed primarily on squid and small fish. Very common in New Zealand’s temperate waters off the east coast, where they usually hunt in packs.

Blue sharks respond very well to chum or burley. Available all year round, the blues are easily targeted for their willingness to turn up first in the chum lines and take flies.

These ocean travelers are excellent light line and fly fishing adversaries.
IGFA records are wide open for this species and light tackle records, International and New Zealand anglers are challenged every year in the waters off the East Coast.
We have on board the finest fly rods - Sage, Loomis, Scott, Temple fork and custom made rods by CTS.
Reels should be capable of enduring long runs and 300m of 50lb backing should be a minimum. Reels such as Abel, Shilton, Tibor and the latest Charlton Makos are excellent.
All fish will be released safely boat side unless you have a record pinfish or arrangements have been made.

You can cast your favorite 10weight for smaller fish but a 12 is better for the bigger fish that often turn up. A 40-100 kilo fish is not uncommon and will severely test your gear and technique.
We will use deceiver style flies, chum patterns and unique local ties that are highly visible. They will turn up in groups and present multiple opportunities.

Takes will often be within a short cast of the boat and highly visual. If a fish is lost early in a fight they will often recover and come back to the boat. A quick fly change will often result in another solid take and exciting encounter!

Indeed catching a big blue shark on fly is a big challenge and a huge achievement. Blue shark on fly has always been a favorite of our clients.
The blue shark is the second fastest shark in the ocean, only the Mako is quicker. They are characterised by their striking electric blue upper body and sleek lines. They grow to 9ft long and have been recorded weighing in excess of 500kilos!
We look forward to you booking your charter for one of the spectacular speedsters of the sea.

BRONZE WHALER

Bronze whaler sharks enter our harbour systems and beach areas when the water temperature rises above 18degrees. They come in to feed and spawn in shallow water, and can be targeted from Dec-April.

Landing one of these huge powerful sharks is one of our specialities. Man handling a 200kg+ angry shark from the beach is hard to describe.
The clients that have tried it consider it to be one of the highlights of their fishing career.
Many would ask if it is safe to drag a big shark with your bare hands up on the beach, and all I can say is, no it isn’t. We leave the dangerous part of the fight with the guide, and the angler is allowed to pet his catch when all is safe and secure.
The release of the shark is something the angler can safely participate in, and it’s an amazing feeling to let a 3mtr long shark get its freedom again.

All sharks are caught on circle hooks for a good release, and to this day, we never felt that we have harmed any of these beautiful creatures.