Ready-tied, USA-made version of the best surf shark fishing rig - the Pulley Rig - for casting big baits when targeting surf shark and ray species from the beach or pier, particularly large Leopard Sharks, Smooth-hounds, Surf Sharks and Rays up to the 50-pound range on the West Coast; California, Bay Area etc.

2025 Leopard Shark Pulley Rig specifictions:

Double 10/0 Cox & Rawle Mutsu Circle Hooks for maximum hook-ups and easy unhooking
130LB Wire Leader, 300LB Stainless Steel Swivels, 200LB Mono Rub Leader
Pulley rig release clip arm secures bait inline for casting but deploys bait on impact with water for great distance, perfect presentation & zero tangles
Team this rig up with one of our 6-8oz Sputnik Surf Sinkers and Heavy Red Bait Elastic

For surf fishing for West Coast sharks and rays, we recommend using half a fresh mackerel but surf perch, croaker, bonito, large sardines and double or triple squid baits are also good bait options for targeting any predatory surf species. We strongly recommend the use of Heavy bait elastic to secure the bait to this rig.

This is your go-to rig for general surf predator fishing on the West Coast as it'll land any of the species commonly found including Leopard Sharks, Soupfin Sharks, Smoothhound Sharks, Bat Rays, Butterfly Rays and similar predatory species.

Tied to our professional guide's specifications, the rigs are a great option for anyone looking to target larger species from the shore using big fresh baits.

Simply tie the rig to your mono casting leader using a Paloma Knot, clip on a Surf Sinker, attach your bait, secure the bottom hook under the arm of the pulley rig clip and you're ready to cast out and fish.

Check out www.americanseafishing.com/articles for more information on how to use the Pulley Rig for surf fishing for large leopard sharks in California.

Recommended set-up:

10-15ft Med-heavy surf combo (spinning or conventional), 40-80lb braid or 20-40lb mono main line, 10-15ft 80lb mono casting leader plus a 6-8oz Sputnik-style surf sinker

Instructions:

1) TIE RIG TO MAIN LINE (RECOMMENDED: 10-15FT 80LB MONO CASTING LEADER / TOP SHOT) VIA FREE-RUNNING SWIVEL USING PALOMAR OR UNI KNOT AND CLIP ON SINKER

2) RIG BAIT - FRESH, HALF MACKEREL, BONITO OR SURF PERCH / CROAKER HEAD SECTION IS IDEAL - WITH TOP HOOK THROGH NOSE END AND BOTTOM HOOK AROUND THE BAIT’S DORSAL FIN AREA OR BEHIND HEAD.

3) BEND WIRE TAG END TO 90-DEGREE ANGLE TO BOTTOM HOOK, MAKE 1/4”-DEEP, 2”-LONG INCISION ON BACK OF BAIT TO SEAT HOOK. PENETRATE BAIT WITH TAG END TO SECURE UPRIGHT INTO PRE-CUT SLOT, HOOK POINT WELL EXPOSED

4) USING HEAVY BAIT ELASTIC, WHIP UP & DOWN BAIT MULTIPLE TIMES TO SECURE HOOKS FIRMLY IN PLACE, WITH EXTRA WRAPS AROUND THE LIP & TOP HOOK, AND TO SECURE BOTTOM HOOK IN PLACE WHEN CASTING. TRIM

BAIT SO IT’S JUST BELOW LEVEL WITH BOTTOM HOOK FOR

AERODYNAMIC DISTANCE CASTING

5) PLACE BOTTOM HOOK UNDER RELEASE CLIP ARM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIG, TENSION THE RIG SO THE HOOK IS SECURED. THE ARM SHOULD NOW BE HOLDING THE HOOK INLINE WITH THE SINKER (NOT INCLUDED), BUT RELEASES ON IMPACT WITH WATER FOR TANGLE-FREE PRESENTATION.