Spinner Olympics – Sharks are back after 4 year hiatus

Spinner Olympics
Spinner Olympics

The migration

One of our favorite migrations is that of the spinner sharks. Their migration is generally weather driven and they usually show up in Palm Beach in late winter. When they get here it’s game on.

The Spinner Shark experience

These sharks have been referred to as “tarpon on steroids” and that’s a fitting analogy. They’re strong as hell and they literally jump and spin like a top. It’s one of the coolest things you’ll ever see and do.

Fly fishing for spinner sharks

It’s a very visual game. You’re in a boat in relatively shallow, clear water not far off the beach. You get to see the shadows come up in the blood trail of the cut jacks or bonito you’re using to attract them.

Feeding the feathers

The fly is half a chicken (analogy for a ton of feathers) on a hook with deer hair head for buoyancy. It’s tough to cast but you don’t have to worry about throwing the fly to the fish. You’ll have already got the fly out in the bloodline way before the sharks show up. Feeding the fish is allowing the fly to look like a piece of flesh floating in the current.

The hiatus and the return

Like we mentioned the spinner shark migration is supposed to be every winter, but for whatever reason the sharks have not shown up in any kind of real numbers in the last 4 years. As of today (1/28/2025) our spinner shark guide Capt. Scott Hamilton is happy to report that the sharks have finally returned, he’s currently seeing them in the numbers he got used to fishing for them for over 20 years.

The man

One of the saltiest guys on the planet, Capt. Scott Hamilton is the guy you want at the helm when it comes to spinner sharks. The Atlantic Ocean runs in Capt. Scott’s veins. He pioneered fly fishing for spinner sharks and many other pelagics in South Florida through years and years of dedication to bluewater fly fishing.

If you’re interested in going spinner shark fishing now is the time to give Capt. Scott a call.

Contact Capt. Scott Hamilton

(561) 745-2402

All guides are responsible for their own bookings and calling them is the best way to get started planning a trip.

OFFS Guide Profile

The Shark Fly

The Shark Fly

The Spinner Shark fly is half a chicken's worth of hackle behind a super buoyant deer hair head.

The fly represents a piece of flesh as it sits in your cut jack or bonito bloodline.

Unfortunately we don't have a good supplier right now for these flies but you could always tie your own with the materials kit!

The Rod

The Rod

You'll want every bit of a 12 weight. Go with an even bigger rod if you can.

Fighting power is way more important than casting performance.

The Sage Salt R8 is a solid choice for shark fishing.

The Reel

The Reel

You'll need a reel that is able to hold at least 300 yards of #30 dacron with a floating line.

The reel also needs to dissipate heat well during long, fast runs.

The Tibor Pacific happens to be our favorite shark reel but there are a ton of other good ones. Feel free to reach out for help choosing a rod or reel.

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