Dana Point-what kind of shark? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mootaineer · 06-09-2017, 03:55 PM

I was fishing about a mile offshore and initially thought I was snagged on bottom. I then noticed line was slacking as I pulled. It wasn't really fighting; more rope-a-dope. Then I saw the silhouette of what looked like a shark next to kayak coming up, although it was dark. It was long, maybe five or six feet. Broke off near surface. I was jigging on bottom when I hooked it. Any idea what it was?

GregAndrew · 06-09-2017, 04:28 PM

By the description of the fight, I would guess Leopard.

taggermike · 06-11-2017, 08:28 AM

There have been loads of soup fins in La Jolla lately. And They're almost always hooked on the bottom. You said you were jigging. Soup fins are aggressive enough to hit a lure. I've never heard of a leopard biting a lure.

In profile and body shape leopards and soup fins are very similar. Leopards have the obvious stripes, while soup fins are the usual card top light belly counter shading. Mike

06-09-2017, 03:55 PM	#1
Mootaineer Junior Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 12	Dana Point-what kind of shark? I was fishing about a mile offshore and initially thought I was snagged on bottom. I then noticed line was slacking as I pulled. It wasn't really fighting; more rope-a-dope. Then I saw the silhouette of what looked like a shark next to kayak coming up, although it was dark. It was long, maybe five or six feet. Broke off near surface. I was jigging on bottom when I hooked it. Any idea what it was?

06-09-2017, 04:28 PM	#2
GregAndrew Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,384	By the description of the fight, I would guess Leopard.

06-11-2017, 08:28 AM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	There have been loads of soup fins in La Jolla lately. And They're almost always hooked on the bottom. You said you were jigging. Soup fins are aggressive enough to hit a lure. I've never heard of a leopard biting a lure. In profile and body shape leopards and soup fins are very similar. Leopards have the obvious stripes, while soup fins are the usual card top light belly counter shading. Mike