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Got to Villano beach around midnight on Saturday with a buddy to yak out some fresh bait (whiting) to see if any sharks have shown up and mostly to practice and get my gear situated. We met a realy nice officer that was working the park that we shot the breeze with as he told us tips on driving the beach and the reports he has heard from the area.

We set up around by the inlet side where itwas not so rough. My first attemp a kayaking a bait out did not go so well. I got about 175 yards out, which at night seemed like a mile and I decided I would drop. I thought since the tide was low that I could drop them there and then they would be deep as the tide came in. Well I dropped two baits turned the yak around caught a wave and nose dived straight down . So here I was yak filled with water I'm mid waist deep and two baits in the water, very scary. I managed to get back on and paddle like I have never paddle before to get to shore. Note to self, I need a "sit on" kayak and not a "sit in" because it just filled with water. But only one way to learn I guess.

We let the baits soak  for hours and no bites at all. DId catch a couple whiting on the bait rods. So we rode it out until 11am the next morning and then the rains came. We decided to go to Guana Park on the way back and I used fresh caught whiting on the far side of the dam straight out and we managed two reds 17 and 19 inches and at 3pm headed home and got some much needed sleep.

So my first trip was not a success but I did learn a few things. I will keep at it and I will get beter. If anyone goes out let me know I would love to see how the pro's do it. Till then good luck I will talk to yall later.

It sounds like you had a good time.I'm not sure what part of the inlet you fished but it's usually not a good location.I've only caught small 10lbers from the inlet side.About 6 years ago I did see two dead sharks around 5-6' someone had caught and were drying up on the sand in the July heat.

If you have your mind set on the inlet,check where the buoy is and which way the current is running.More then likely the shark will run with the current and head for the channel which may take your line around the buoy.The current can really rip thru there and 10 oz may not even hold if your close to the channel.Since you have a yak you could use a three way swivel for your weight with 10lb line so it will breakaway when you get a run.A brick would be a good weight as it will disolve over time.Whatever weight you use in the inlet you'll probaly lose it as it hangs up on the drop-offs and vegetation.

Your best shot at a shark at Vilano is right by the rocks.100' to the left or right and at least 50' past the last rock you can see.At low tide you can actually cast that far.

Just to the north about 1/2 mile is SurfSide Park,you'll see sharkers out there on weekends about a dozen times a year.You'll need a yak there and the waves to cooperate some.It's always best to yak the baits out before sundown if you can.Once you get 150-200 yards out from the beach don't be surprised at all the activity around the yak.It's like the yak attracts bait and small fish.

Jim,

Thanks for the advice, I acually did have a three way swivel but instead of a brick we use a round concrete weight that is used to hold down sprinkler heads. We were about 100 yards to the left of the rocks and the channel. We tryed the beach side first but it was to rough. The reason we went to Villano was to drive on the beach and we did not feel like going to Nassua Sound. I have heard of Surfside Park and thanks for the tip. I also want to try ther picnic tables, I heard that was also a popular spot. I do need to set baits before the sun goes down but we could not get out that early, and we were talking to the officer on the beach and he provided plenty of spot ligh tout on the water as well as my spot light so it was'nt that bad. I had a great time.

Runoff,

Definatly not my last trip, I just need a better kayak, I'm thinking I might get the "Ocean Frenzy", It is a "sit on" and it is wider than the one I have wich is an "Old Town Otter". I'm not one to give up that easy. I have been fishing most of my life, just new to sharkin off the beach. I will get it down, I promise you that. Thanks again guys for the advice I really appreciate your input