Lady angler puts the finishing touches on a respectable Florida Bau shark.

Sharks are lumbering creatures, driven by urgings as mysterious as the depths they inhabit. We recognize them as rapacious predators, yet as more fly fishermen are discovering, even large individuals will sample an occasional feathery hors d’oeuvre.

Miami angler Marty Arostegui is hardly the typical big-game fly fisherman. Standing a well-muscled five feet from his deck shoes to his hat button, he’s often dwarfed by the trophies he conquers. For Arostegui, sharks receive top billing in a cast that includes giant tarpon and billfish. That’s why every spring he hops aboard Captain Ralph Delph’s 31-foot open fisherman and departs Key West in search of another record catch. So far, he’s landed several. His current International Game Fish Association records include a 247-pound lemon shark on 8-pound tippet, a 202-pounder on 12-pound, and his largest to date, the 257-pounder that he recently boated on 16-pound class tippet.

Some background is in order. Specifically, any angler who dreams of landing trophy fish on light tackle is probably already familiar with Capt. Ralph Delph. That goes double for fly fishers, who recognize Delph’s expertise in guiding fly rod record-seekers.

A few hours after leaving the dock, Marty and Ralph are set up and ready to go. They’re drifting across a flat somewhere between Key West and the Marquesas, where migrating sharks pass on their journey northward. There’s a dead, butterflied barracuda hanging from a cleat. With any luck, a big shark will pick up the scent and investigate.

In these waters, the most sought-after species is the tiger shark. These vagabonds of the open ocean attain weights in excess of 1,000 pounds and enjoy a reputation as man-eaters. Back in 1995, Gary Spence landed a 220-pound tiger on 20-pound tippet while fishing off Key West.

Yet while worldwide shark populations are currently at an all-time low, there are enough big sharks left to keep anglers hopping. Arostegui knows about statistics. That is why he attempts to release every shark he lands. So far, that list includes tigers, as well as other “game” sharks. Yet while tigers enjoy local notoriety, Delph has a few observations on the species. “I think they’re highly overrated. For example, they do crazy things like swimming towards the boat or popping up on top so I can gaff them easily,” said Delph. I asked him to pick a favorite. “Bull shark, definitely. It’s sleek and tough and whenever you hook one, it takes off like a rocket.”

Delph seemed happy to field a few general inquiries. But when I got around to a particular specific, his mood took a decided turn for the worse. “Our season is definitely getting shorter. Lately, it’s been shifting more towards February and March, which would correspond with all the jacks and other migratory fish being overfished commercially. The mid-winter shortfall has created a blank spot in the sharks’ food chain.”

Delph and Arostegui discuss exit strategy.

With a single swoop, Delph gaffs the shark in the tail while Arostegui drops his rod and dives for the tail rope. It’s a perfect shot, but both men already know the drill. Without pausing, Arostegui snaps the rope around the struggling shark’s tail before he and Delph lift it from the water. With its tail out of water, the shark is powerless. At this point, Arostegui grips the rope while Delph hooks the gaff in the corner of the shark’s mouth. Together, they hoist the 9-footer into the boat and slide it into a massive, coffin-size livewell that Delph designed expressly to keep sharks alive on their journey to the scales.

Anyway, let’s get back to Marty Arostegui. Before long, the first shark of the day appears. It’s a lemon, and within seconds it homes in on the chum. As it swims toward the boat, Arostegui assumes the position. He hesitates momentarily, then casts as the shark swims within range. At first, the shark sees the fly but ignores it. Then, on the umpteenth cast, it gulps the orange hackle pattern within spitting distance of the boat.

Water boils and mud flies as the reel spool becomes a blur. Eventually, the shark slows and the battle is on. After an hour, Arostegui is finally able to back up to the stern while Delph reaches for the gaff.