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Conditions haven't been perfect with our west coast red tide and the cold fronts lately. When we talked with Mike the night before our planned trip, there were no drastic improvements. But after some back and forth about whether or not to go, he asked our good friend and renowned wild life photographer, Kristine Compton for her opinion. She was only in town for a few days away from our old stomping grounds in Los Angeles, and was hell-bent to storm a beach and shoot some film. So like the rest of us, she saw no reason we shouldn't make the trip to at least hang out with Mike and Zac for the afternoon. Well, just like a bunch of musicians getting together, you know the guitars are coming out sooner or later so we knew we'd be doing a little hunting. The trip would be worth it either way, but if the shark gods smiled on us, we'd be able to grab some high resolution still shots we needed for an upcoming featured article, along with some footage for another project. And while we were at it, we could tag some sharks for the Apex Predators Program and test some catch documentation methods for the International Land-Based Shark Fishing Association. Mike said all we had to bring was the production and tagging equipment. We'd also be joined by fellow team members Josh Maib aka 'TarponKing' and J.J. Klarmann aka 'Spiccoli'. They'd have everything ready. We just had to show up and you can't threaten us with a good time so away we went.

Top: Just moments after the go was given to head east.
L-R: Brooks, Kristine -aka- MrsNikkiSixx, Sean, Mom
Bottom : Great to be back on the right coast of Florida.
L-R: Kristine, Mike, Sean, Zac, Brooks
For those of you who don't know, Team OldSkool is led by Mike Palmer and Zac Meyer. It was around 2005 when Brooks and I started seeing some amazing catch and release photos online. There weren't a lot of details; most notably, who the anglers were, but the pictures left little doubt that these guys were occupying that small space at the top of this game. We continued to admire their work and were later pleasantly surprised to find out they were fellow Floridians and so were the fish they were catching. It was the summer of 2006 when we managed to track Mike down and sent an email about the pending launch of the International Land-Based Shark Fishing Association. We wanted to meet them and get their opinions about the ILSFA, and what we were doing. When Mike did call us back, one of the first things he said was, "Nice picture of Herb Goodman on the ILSFA website." We couldn't believe it when we realized he was talking about the picture that Frank Mundus sent us, and which we were given permission to use specifically for the history section of the site. It's one hell of a moment in time captured on film that really epitomizes the sport. Frank couldn't remember the guy's name that sent it to him decades ago so the legend of Herb Goodman remained a mystery until, thanks to a fluke of timing with Mike, a whole new chapter in the history of the sport revealed itself. One thing led to another and we've all become friends. On top of that, we're honored to have Mike & Zac's membership in the ILSFA, as well as their participation on the Lead Committee. With their involvement, only good things can happen. But enough of that. here's just a few pictures of Mike, Zac and some friends enjoying brief encounters on an east coast Florida beach.
L-R: bull shark, Zac, Mike, bull shark. A double-header - prior to release
For our trip, in January, the chances of fish like those above being around were unlikely. However, we felt certain about one thing -- if there were ANY sharks passing through our patch of surf, it was likely they'd be spending some time with us.
'Mike, if you've got a minute, Frank Mundus would like to say hello to you and Zac.'
If we don't call in reports, Frank lets us have it. He knew about this joint-expedition with Team OldSkool and was standing by. Anytime's a good time to talk with Frank, but let's face, it can't be anything but good luck to talk with the 'Monster Man' himself when you're shark fishing.
We had a good run and drop within 5 minutes of lines in. Then, a few moments later, Mike snags the first taker. We jumped into a smooth rhythm and worked quickly to get this fish processed and released.
FISH FACTS #1:
species: blacktip, sex: male, total length: 5' 4", fork length: 4' 4", girth: 2' 4", estimated formula weight: 51 pounds, condition: excellent
MrsNikkiSixx gets her groove on
Zac intercepts a fresh bluefish
The patented 'ZacCam' moves in for a bait's eye view
And now we know
Kristine gets in front of the camera for a change
Josh sends another one home from Skool
FISH FACTS #2:
species: blacktip, sex: female, total length: 6' 3", fork length: 5' 2", girth: 3' 4", estimated formula weight: 124 pounds, condition: excellent
Observations of the natural world by MrsNikkiSixx
As the sun got hotter, so did the action. All we were trying to do is take some pictures, but no! Look at Zac in the photo above. Now you see 'em and below, now you don't. J.J. (below left) had enough of the paparazzi and was on Zac's heels, headed for the other rig which was singing that beautiful song ... you know the one.
No sharks stayed after class today
FISH FACTS #3:
species: blacktip, sex: female, total length: 6' 2", fork length: 5' 1", girth: 3' 3", estimated formula weight: 116 pounds, condition: excellent
For our first time fishing together, we worked like a well-oiled machine, getting all fish landed in the shortest time possible to keep them healthy for release. This equals working with greener fish, but when everyone knows their role, the pit stops are up to the Nascar standards of safety and efficiency. Immediately after releasing #3, we greeted our next guest.
FISH FACTS #4:
species: blacktip, sex: female, total length: 6' 4", fork length: 5' 3", girth: 3' 2", estimated formula weight: 114 pounds, condition: excellent
We didn't have any planes to catch and there was still daylight left so no sense in stopping now. Throughout the day, we had witnessed numerous sharks breaching while feeding. And when a hookup did take place, every shark did a pretty damn good sailfish impersonation -- jumping, flipping and head shaking above the surface. It was incredible to watch and we managed to capture some of this behavior on film. It's not the kind of thing we typically see on the west coast, especially due to the fact we fish a lot at night to avoid the daytime beach traffic. When number five came calling this day, Mike expressed his satisfaction that, 'At least we caught a handfull'. I could tell he's used to that.
Can it possibly get any better?
FISH FACTS #5:
species: blacktip, sex: male, total length: 5' 7", fork length: 4' 7", girth: 2' 8", estimated formula weight: 70 pounds, condition: excellent
Not something you see everyday. This hook failed (a first, according to Mike) and another fish kinked and broke a leader earlier in the day. Throw in several nice runs on top of that, and the fishing was even hotter than what these pictures tell. For the record, the complaint department was closed for the day, due to no complaining.
With the sun and the temperature dropping, Mike announced it was time for the 'Hail Mary'. When these guys get "that" feeling. You've just got to go with it. A few moments later, we got our parting gift. An unforgettable day of fishing was drawing to a close. No better way to end it than with that one last fish. You say it every time you go ... "One more cast. One more bait drop. Just one more fish." It doesn't happen every time, but when it does, you know damn well, you'll be saying all those things the next time.
FISH FACTS #6:
species: blacktip, sex: male, total length: 5' 11", fork length: 4' 6", girth: 2' 5", estimated formula weight: 58 pounds, condition: excellent

So there we were ... with 36 feet of sharks, weighing in at just over a quarter ton, landed, documented, tagged and released in just a few hours. We can honestly say we caught fish from the time we got there until the time we left. But the best part is the new friendships we formed. From all of us to Team OldSkool: Mike, Zac, Josh & J.J., we say thanks for this special opportunity. Your are undoubtedly among the very best at what you do and fine individuals on top of it all. On many levels it was one of the best days we've ever had fishing, and like we all said before heading home, this is the first of many. We'll say it again, don't threaten us with a good time. We'll see you again SOON!

DON'T MISS: Highlights from this expedition in a featured editorial article by Guts & Nuts Productions on the sport of Land-Based Shark Fishing. It hits the stands in the major national fishing publication, Florida Sport Fishing, this March. Stay tuned to FishingGoneWild.com for further details.
Here's the cast of characters in order of appearance. All data will be archived in the international database of The National Marine Fisheries Service Apex Predators Tagging Program in Narragansett, Rhode Island. When a tag is retreived, data can be cross referenced with the data we submitted. Each shark's time at liberty provides vital information for research focused on distribution and migration patterns, age and growth, reproductive biology, and feeding ecology. For those interested in further information about this research and the recreational angler's important role in research efforts, additional links can be found below.