Galveston's Premier Jetty & Offshore Fishing Trip

Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus Limbatus) Description

Blacktip Sharks, another species of requiem shark-like their blue cousin, are known for the little black markings on the tip of their fins. Unlike the Blue Shark, however, they’re stouter and have longer gill slits. They also don’t have a ridge near their dorsal fins. Like most sharks, they have a long snout and a single dorsal fin. However, the Blacktip Shark’s dorsal fin also has a slight slope with a pointed-edge behind the dorsal fin.

The Blacktip Shark despite being stout is actually quite robust and streamlined to handle swimming in deeper waters. It has smaller eyes which makes it more reliant on the scent. Its body is similar to that of the Spinner Shark but genetically, it’s more similar to the Blacknose Shark which may be where it inherited the black markings.
 

Blacktip Shark Diet and Size

Blacktip Sharks have a variety of food in their diet. Most of their diet involves fish. Some of these fish include sardines, herring, anchovy, mackerel, groupers, and flatfish. However, in some parts of the world particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, they seem to have a preference for Atlantic Croaker.
Blacktip Sharks grow up to an average of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). However, they have a maximum reported length of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) weighing 271 lbs.
 

Interesting Facts about the Blacktip Shark

• Blacktip Sharks are known for jumping on boats!
  • They have an excitable personality and they’re quite sociable too which makes them more prone to feeding frenzies when they smell their favorite food.
• Despite being excitable, Blacktip Sharks can be quite timid and prefer watching from afar.
  • Because of their timid nature, Blacktip Sharks can lose out to the Galapagos Sharks.
• Blacktip Sharks are known for their agonistic response especially when they confront another shark.
• Blacktip Sharks are known for jumping high up into the air. They can reach up to 21 ft per second!
• Like the Blue Shark, the Blacktip Shark’s timid nature makes it an easy target for finning.
   

Blacktip Shark – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Blacktip Shark

When fishing for a Blacktip Shark, you’re going to need a heavy braided-line. You’ll need equipment that can handle at least 20-50 pounds and some circle hooks to make sure the connections don’t snap. Using a braided line makes fishing for a Blacktip Shark more forgiving especially if they become quite excitable.

Once you have your equipment, start setting up different lines to reel them in. Blacktip Sharks are known to patrol areas where they can find their preferred fish, making them loiter around artificial reefs. After that, bring out the chum. Using mackerel, herring, and their other preferred fish, pound it to paste and begin seasoning the water. That usually means pouring down the chum into the water where they can detect it. Other anglers also suggest using live sardines since they’re oily.

Fish that are oily and strong-smelling are a preferred bait for catching a Blacktip Shark.
 

Blacktip Shark Habitat and Distribution

Blacktip Sharks can be found in the tropical waters of Massachusetts and Brazil.  However, they are also found near the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Blacktip Sharks were also spotted at the boundary of the Indian Ocean.

In the waters, however, Blacktip Sharks are often swimming in 98ft worth of water and usually stay in over continental and insular shelves. However, sometimes they can be found in 210 ft. They also prefer muddy bays and island lagoons.

Sea Trout

Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) Fish Description

Also known as Spotted Sea Trout or Speckled Trout, Sea Trout are anadromous, meaning they migrate from the sea to spawn in freshwater. 

The most distinct feature of Sea Trout is their torpedo-shaped (fusiform) and elongated body. They are similar to brown trout but have a much more silvery appearance. They have an adipose fin which is a feature present in all species of trout. They have numerous spots all over the body.

This fish closely resembles the Rainbow Trout and Atlantic Salmon. What makes it different from the others is that the rainbow trout possess black spots on its tail, whereas the Atlantic Salmon has no red tinge on its adipose fin.

Sea Trout Diet and Size

Sea Trout love to feast on shrimps, prawns, small crabs, and fish. They also feed on zooplankton and zoobenthos.

Adult Sea Trout can grow from 14 to 24 inches long and weigh a little over one pound to 5 pounds. Some Sea Trout were found to have weighed up to 40 pounds in certain instances.

Interesting Facts About the Sea Trout 

• As an anadromous fish species, the Sea Trout shares this characteristic with the Sea Lamprey, Striped Bass, and Salmon.
• Some salmonids like the Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus alpinus), Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are also commonly called Sea Trout.
• Male Sea Trout who are in breeding season develop a skype, which is a hook-like protrusion on their lower jaw.
• When in freshwater, Sea Trout are olive in color, whereas they are silvery when they are in salt water.
• Young Sea Trout remain in freshwater for almost five years before going back to sea; during this journey, they can travel up to 40 kilometers in a day.
• The Sea Trout is considered the first fish to have undergone artificial reproduction; the pilot activity is said to have occurred in 1739 in Germany.

Sea Trout — Fishing Techniques

Sea Trout are considered common table fare; they are usually processed and frozen. Because of this, this species has become popular among commercial fishers. Freshwater anglers basically catch Sea Trout via fly fishing.

Commercial anglers usually use spinners, lures, and live bait like herring and mackerel strips dipped into the water reaching the sea bed. Since Sea Trout are good fighters who always like to bait, you are recommended to utilize artificial lures; the most effective are jerk baits, topwater plugs, plastic shrimp, spoons, and plastic tail grub jigs. 

When sea trout fishing, look for them in grass flats or shallow waters at night. If you have a hard time, you can try trolling at idle speed along these areas. Remember that during winter, Sea Trout form big schools and are usually found in waters as deep as 164 feet.

Considered one of the most highly rated fish, the Sea Trout is prized among anglers. In some countries like Germany, however, this species is protected and highly regulated. 

Is Sea Trout Good to Eat?

Sea trout or Speckled trout is a popular game fish found in many coastal areas worldwide. One question often arises is whether sea trout is good to eat. It's important to understand that sea trout can vary significantly in taste depending on where they were caught and what they've been feeding on. Generally speaking, sea trout has a mild and delicate flavor that many people find appealing. Additionally, because sea trout are typically smaller than other salmonids like salmon or steelhead, their flesh tends to be more tender and less oily.

Speckled Trout are a tasty fish that is very good to eat with moderate-flaky, white meat. It is softer than other inshore fish, so it is important not to overcook it, or it will become very mushy.

Regarding nutrition, sea trout is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients have been linked to various health benefits, including improved brain function and heart health.

Sea Trout Habitat and Distribution 

Sea Trout thrive best in cold lakes and rivers (they like temperatures between 33.8 to 80.6°F); they spawn on the gravel bottoms of streams and rivers. They usually spawn in November to December. Sea trout in South Carolina typically live in estuaries all year, but they may congregate to overwinter in deeper channels and rivers or the main estuary, potentially increasing fishing pressure. 

Sea Trout have vast and fairly distributed populations in Europe, especially along the coasts of Iceland, the UK, and the Atlantic and Baltic areas. They are abundant in the Caspian and Black Seas but are not present in the Mediterranean. Certain populations of Sea trout have also been reported in the US, particularly in the Canadian rivers, Columbia River, and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.