When to Find Sharks in The Tide | The Best Times for Shark Surf Fishing

Florida is home to some of the most exciting shark fishing opportunities in the world. With its extensive coastline, abundant shark species, and diverse ecosystems, the Sunshine State offers unparalleled opportunities for anglers seeking to catch these apex predators. However, to successfully target sharks, it’s crucial to understand when they are most active. This article will explore the best times to find sharks in Florida, including seasonal patterns, feeding behaviors, and the most opportune moments for fishing.

Seasonal Patterns: When Sharks Are Most Active in Florida

Sharks in Florida are highly migratory, with many species moving based on water temperature, food availability, and reproductive cycles. While certain shark species can be found year-round, understanding their seasonal patterns can significantly improve your chances of a successful catch.

Spring (March to May)

• Best Time to Find Sharks: Spring marks the beginning of warmer water temperatures in Florida, making it an excellent time for many species of sharks to be more active inshore. Many sharks, including blacktip sharks, spinner sharks, and bull sharks, start moving closer to shore to feed after the cooler winter months.

• Fishing Tips: During the spring, sharks are often found along Florida’s East Coast and Gulf Coast. Target shallow flats, inlets, and estuarine areas. Focus on fishing during low light conditions—early mornings and late afternoons—when sharks are more likely to be hunting.

Summer (June to August)

• Best Time to Find Sharks: Summer is peak shark season in Florida. With water temperatures at their highest, sharks are active and abundant. The warm waters attract species like blacktip sharks, bull sharks, sandbar sharks, and lemon sharks.

• Fishing Tips: Summer is the time to fish for large sharks in deeper waters, such as the Gulf Stream or offshore reefs. If you’re fishing from shore, target the surf zone or deeper sandbars where sharks come to feed on baitfish. Night fishing can be particularly effective, as many shark species feed more actively after sunset.

Fall (September to November)

• Best Time to Find Sharks: Fall brings cooler water temperatures, which can cause some shark species to migrate back to deeper waters. However, it is still an excellent time for bull sharks, tiger sharks, and hammerhead sharks, particularly around inlets and estuaries as they continue to feed on abundant baitfish.

• Fishing Tips: Focus on fishing around the incoming tide when sharks move closer to shore. The change in water temperature also creates a feeding frenzy, so it’s a great time to target sharks around estuaries and mangroves, where there’s an abundance of smaller fish.

Winter (December to February)

• Best Time to Find Sharks: Winter is a quieter time for sharks in Florida, especially in the northern and central parts of the state. However, certain species like lemon sharks and bull sharks are still active in the warmer waters of South Florida.

• Fishing Tips: Winter fishing is ideal in the southern parts of Florida, particularly around the Florida Keys and Miami. The warmer waters provide an opportunity for anglers to catch sharks year-round. Focus on fishing deeper waters where sharks tend to remain active in winter.

Feeding Patterns: Understanding Shark Behavior

Sharks in Florida are opportunistic feeders, and their feeding behaviors are influenced by various factors such as water temperature, tides, and availability of prey. Knowing when and where sharks feed is key to successful shark fishing.

Tidal Influence:

• Incoming Tides: Sharks are more likely to come closer to shore during incoming tides, as they hunt for baitfish and other prey that are pushed toward the coastline. Fishing during the incoming tide can significantly increase your chances of encountering sharks in shallow waters.

• Outgoing Tides: During outgoing tides, sharks often move back into deeper waters, making it more challenging to target them from shore. However, if you are fishing from a boat, focusing on deeper channels and drop-offs during outgoing tides can yield good results.

Feeding Times:

• Sharks are more likely to feed during low light conditions such as early mornings, late afternoons, and night. During these times, sharks use their heightened sense of smell and vision to detect prey. If you’re fishing from shore or from a boat, try to time your fishing trips to coincide with these periods of activity.

Water Temperature:

• Sharks are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their activity levels are directly influenced by water temperature. Warmer waters in the summer months lead to increased feeding activity, while colder water in the winter months can slow down shark movements. The best water temperature for shark fishing typically ranges from 70°F to 85°F.

Shark Species in Florida and Their Feeding Times

Florida is home to a wide variety of shark species, each with its own specific feeding habits and preferred times for hunting.

Blacktip Sharks:

• Best Time to Find: Spring and summer are the best times to target blacktip sharks, as they migrate toward Florida’s shorelines to feed on schools of baitfish.

• Feeding Habits: They are typically active during the early morning and late evening, often in shallow waters near beaches, sandbars, and drop-offs.

Bull Sharks:

• Best Time to Find: Bull sharks are active year-round, but they are particularly abundant in the warmer months (spring and summer) along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

• Feeding Habits: They are aggressive feeders, often found in shallow waters, including estuaries, inlets, and river mouths. They tend to be most active during low-light conditions, especially at dawn and dusk.

Lemon Sharks:

• Best Time to Find: Lemon sharks are found year-round in Florida but are most commonly found in the Florida Keys and southern waters.

• Feeding Habits: These sharks prefer warmer waters and are particularly active during early mornings and late evenings when they hunt near the seabed for rays and small fish.

When to Find Sharks in Florida

The best times to find sharks in Florida depend on the species you’re targeting, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. In general, spring and summer are prime times for shark fishing, with sharks becoming more active as water temperatures rise. By understanding the tides, feeding habits, and behavior of sharks, you can plan your fishing trips to coincide with peak shark activity. Whether you’re targeting blacktip sharks in the surf or bull sharks near river mouths, timing your fishing trips for the right conditions will maximize your chances of success.