Sharks

Great Hammerhead
Smooth Hammerhead
Scalloped Hammerhead
Bonnethead
Reefshark
Tigershark
Blacktip Shark
Sandbar Shark
Dusky Shark
Bull Shark
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Silky Shark
Spinner Shark
Lemon Shark
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Nurse Shark
Thresher Shark
Shortfin Mako
White Shark

There are three main groups of sharks we will deal with here in Florida. The first is the Hammerheads. They look like creatures from outer space with their eyes located at either end of broad, flat heads. Three of these are common throughout warm waters, but the Smooth Hammerhead likes cooler temperatures and is only a seasonal visitor to Florida. The second group, known as Requiem Sharks, includes most of the species regularly encountered by anglers in our coverage area. Some are popular sporting targets and easily recognized, but sorting out the identity of the others can be difficult for many fishermen. Our third group is made up of ocean-roaming Sharks that are often talked about, but not often seen by anglers, especially the Threshers, which comprise a separate family that is referred to as Mackerel Sharks, probably because of their fast-swimming capabilities. In our part of the world, the Shortfin Mako, although by no means common itself, is encountered far more often than any of the others in this bunch.

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OTHER NAMES: Giant Hammerhead
RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open sea. But often (too often?) ventures close to shore, and especially likes the deep Gulf Coast passes when schools of big tarpon are present.
DESCRIPTION: Frequently identifiable by size alone. Small ones can be distinguished from the Scalloped Hammerhead by the rather flat frontal edge of the head, and by the rear edge of the pelvic fin, which is curved only in the Great Hammerhead.
SIZE: Commonly runs more than 500 pounds and sometimes as much as 1,000 pounds; possibly can reach one ton. Florida and world records 991 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Uncertain.
GAME QUALITIES: Monstrous size alone makes it an equally monstrous angling challenge.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Only the heaviest sporting gear stands much of a chance- 130-pound line or, at the least, 80-pound. Will take a large fresh-dead baitfish, but is more easily hooked on oversize live bait.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing; Trolling.

OTHER NAMES: Common Hammerhead
RANGE: Appears on the East Coast of Florida during winter. Not found in the Bahamas or Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open sea, with forays into shallower water. Commonly seen at the surface by Atlantic offshore anglers.
DESCRIPTION: The head is very slightly rounded, but with no central indentation. Size and habits are similar to those of the Scalloped Hammerhead.
SIZE: Averages around 100 pounds; can top 200.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: A voracious feeder that's usually easy to hook. Fight is fast and strong but not particularly long.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Like the Scalloped Hammerhead, it is a good candidate for lighter tackle, and takes the same baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
HABITAT: Open ocean, mostly, but commonly ventures close to the beaches and sometimes into large bays.
DESCRIPTION: Slightly rounded frontal edge with several indentations, including one in center. Color is light brown above, shading to white on underside. Pectoral fin has a dark tip, but on underside only.
SIZE: Averages around 100 pounds; can reach 200 or more.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: A voracious feeder that's usually easy to hook.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Live or fresh-dead baitfish will be the most eagerly accepted.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Bonnet Shark, Shovelnose Shark
RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
HABITAT: Sticks largely to the shallows and is a common sight to the many Floridians who fish Speckled Trout and other species on the flats. Also roams channels and deeper water.
DESCRIPTION: The Bonnethead is unmistakable because of its rounded or shovel-shaped head - not squared off or only slightly rounded as in the larger Hammerheads. Color is usually a very light gray, appearing almost white in the water.
SIZE: Averages 2-5 pounds; occasionally tops 10 pounds. World record 23 pounds, 11 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: A spunky little fighter on light gear, but not so tough as other kinds
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light spinning and baitcasting outfits. Any sort of small live fish or cut bait.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Caribbean Reef, Shark
RANGE: Probably the most familiar shark in shallow waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean; also plentiful in most areas of Florida.
HABITAT: Found widely from blue water to coastal water.
DESCRIPTION: Gray or tan above, yellowish below. Tough to distinguish from the Dusky Shark, but the body is fatter, the gill slits smaller, and the trailing edge of the ventral fin is indented.
SIZE: Averages 10-30 pounds; seldom reaches 100. World record 154 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Pretty good fighter, but usually small and seldom welcomed by anglers.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning, baitcasting and light ocean outfits. Small dead fish and cut baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Leopard Shark
RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open sea, primarily, but many - including some giants - come close to the beaches.
DESCRIPTION: Easily recognized by its pattern - and often by sheer size. Color is dark above, yellowish below. On smaller specimens, the darker markings take the shape of spots - hence the name "Leopard." The big ones become "Tigers" as the spots grow and blend together into stripes. The patterns, however, do vary a great deal.
SIZE: This is the largest Shark likely to be encountered by Florida anglers. Quite a few 1,000-pounders have been taken in the state, and the species probably grows to a ton in weight. World record 1,780 pounds; Florida record 1,065 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Small ones good.
GAME QUALITIES: Not rated particularly high among Sharks, but sheer size and strength make it a rugged foe.
TACKLE AND BAITS: The heaviest sporting outfits are required for adult Tigers. Although the Tiger Shark will eat virtually anything, including shellfish and mammals, particularly good baits are Stingray wings and live or dead fish, that are appropriate to the size Shark being sought - very big baits on occasion.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Small Blacktip
RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: Occurs from the open sea to the coast. One of the most familiar sharks in Florida, where it is often seen on shallow flats and along beaches and shorelines. Also plentiful around passes and inlets.
DESCRIPTION: Gray above, white below. Tips of dorsal and pectoral fins are black, as is the lower lobe of the caudal fin. Short snout and stout body. Dorsal fin begins at a point above the rear portion of the pectoral fin.
SIZE: Common from 5-30 pounds; seldom reaches 100 pounds, but reported to 200 or more. World record 270 pounds, 9 ounces; Florida record 152 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Very good.
GAME QUALITIES: Pound for pound, probably the scrappiest of sharks. Wages a wild battle on light tackle, marked by long runs and frantic jumps, especially in shallow water.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning and baitcasting outfits; also fly outfits. Takes shrimp and any sort of fresh cut bait. With good presentation (Sharks have poor eyesight, and you have to put the lure very close to them), they will also hit a variety of artificial lures, especially topwater plugs and flyrod poppers; large (for purposes of visibility) streamer flies; slow-swimming jigs and underwater plugs.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.

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OTHER NAMES: Sand Shark, Brown Shark
RANGE: All Florida coasts; less common in the Bahamas. Rare in most of the Caribbean.
HABITAT: Mostly inshore and around beaches; also in channels and other deeper areas. Doesn't mind murky water.
DESCRIPTION: Color ranges from gray to brown above, whitish below. Distinctive features are the wide, triangular dorsal and pectoral fins - with the dorsal situated almost directly above the pectoral.
SIZE: Averages 50-100 pounds; can exceed 250 pounds. World record 260 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Not bad. Usually has enough heft to give the angler a good workout on medium tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Heavy spinning and baitcasting; surf rods; light to medium ocean gear. Chunks of fresh-dead fish or Stingray wings make fine baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Blue Bonito, False Albacore, Little Tuna
RANGE: All Florida coasts, present, but not as numerous, in the Bahamas and Caribbean.
HABITAT: Primarily coastal, from beaches to deep reefs.
DESCRIPTION: Dark gray above, shading to whitish below. Dorsal fin is triangular but not so broad as the Sandbar Shark, to which it is quite similar.
SIZE: Weighs up to 250 pounds. Maximum is probably around 500 pounds. Florida and world records 764 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Strong and stubborn.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Medium to heavy ocean outfits; go lighter at your own risk. Any sort of fresh-dead fish or large fresh chunk of cut bait will work.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Ground Shark, Cub Shark
RANGE: More common on all Florida coasts, but also occurs in the Bahamas and around larger islands of the Caribbean.
HABITAT: Primarily coastal. It also
DESCRIPTION: Usually gray to light brown above, white below. Similar to the Sandbar Shark but has a shorter, wider snout. The large first dorsal fin starts above the middle of the pectoral fin, whereas in the Sandbar it starts above the front portion of the pectoral.
SIZE: Commonly runs 6-8 feet and 100-300 pounds, but can exceed 10 feet and 400 pounds. World record 490 pounds; Florida record 517 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: A rugged fighter; usually has heft and strength on its side.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Although more appropriately matched to medium ocean outfits, the Bull is one of the pet targets of adventurous spin, plug and fly casters, especially in the lower Florida Keys. Will take a variety of dead fish as bait, and especially likes fresh cut Barracuda. Also can be chummed into a mood for hitting artificial - large flies and top water plugs being preferred.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Whitetip
RANGE: Occurs on both sides of Florida in for offshore waters, but is far more often seen around the Bahamas and many Caribbean Islands.
HABITAT: Deep ocean only, but is occasionally encountered in areas where ocean depths closely approach island shores. In the Bahamas, it is common around certain deepwater manmade structures in the Tongue of the Ocean and Exuma Sound.
DESCRIPTION: Has white tips on the dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins. Even without the white (it's absent on a rare specimen) the high, rounded dorsal and long, rounded pectoral fins are giveaways.
SIZE: Up to 8-10 feet and 100-150 pounds. World record 146 pounds, 8 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Probably good.
GAME QUALITIES: An excellent battler on light-to-medium tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light to medium ocean tackle, with lines to 30-pound test. Sometimes a picky bite that insists on live bait; has been taken on cut baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Trolling.

OTHER NAMES: Wharf Shark
RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open sea.
DESCRIPTION: Gray to brown above, white below. Skin looks and feels silky. Dorsal is comparatively small and begins at a point behind the pectoral fin.
SIZE: Usually not very large - from 30-100 pounds - but is not rare at 200-300 pounds. World record 762 pounds, 12 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Very good on suitable tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Can often be sighted and - if the angler wishes - baited in clear offshore waters. Baits cut from fresh-dead fish, such as Bonito, are best.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drift Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Large Blacktip
RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open seas, sometimes enters large inlets, particularly on the Florida East Coast.
DESCRIPTION: Because of the black-tipped fins, many anglers think the Spinner and the Blacktip are one and the same. The Spinner is more slender in shape and has a longer snout. The dorsal fin begins at a point just aft of the pectoral fin.
SIZE: Common from 10-50 pounds; sometimes exceeds 100 pounds. Florida and world records 190 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Very good.
GAME QUALITIES: Good fighter on light tackle; often gets off the high, spinning jumps that give it its name.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Medium to heavy spinning tackle and light ocean gear. Live Pilchards and similar baitfish are good choices. Fresh cut baits work pretty well.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Brown Shark
RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: Forages a great deal over shallow flats and along shorelines; likes mouths of rivers and creeks. Spends time in deeper waters like channels and bays, but not for offshore, as a rule.
DESCRIPTION: Brown with a yellowish cast to the underside. The first dorsal fin is short and not much larger than the second dorsal. The pectorals are triangular and wide.
SIZE: From around 20 pounds to well over 100 pounds. World record 405 pounds; Florida record 397 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Good.
GAME QUALITIES: Less spectacular but otherwise pretty much the equal of the Blacktip as a light-tackle gamester.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Spinning and baitcasting outfits; also fly outfits. Will take a variety of live and dead natural baits and artificials.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Casting; Drifting; Still Fishing.

RANGE: Science distinguishes this pair by a slight difference in bone structure. Anglers can distinguish them by range. The Atlantic Sharpnose is found throughout Florida; the Caribbean type in the Bahamas and Caribbean Islands.
HABITAT: Coastal, including surf, shallow flats and streams, often in schools.
DESCRIPTION: The Atlantic Sharpnose shown here, and the Caribbean Sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus, are identical in outward appearance. Color is brown or dark gray above; white below. Dorsal and caudal fins are edged in black.
SIZE: Averages 2 feet; maximum about 4 feet. World record 16 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Very good.
GAME QUALITIES: Energetic and strong on light tackle.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Light tackle with wire leaders and small live or dead baitfish, or cut baits.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.

RANGE: All Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: Frequently sighted on shallow flats of South Florida, the Bahamas and most Caribbean Islands, where it usually is lying still. Also lies still in deeper water around and under reefs, ledges and navigation markers.
DESCRIPTION: Overall brown or deep rust color. It has a very small, underslung mouth, and is our only Shark with barbels at the nostrils.
SIZE: Most seen in shallow water are from 5 to 50 pounds, but they can grow quite large in deeper water. World record 210 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: Excellent; probably the best of the Sharks, maybe because of its shellfish diet.
GAME QUALITIES: Probably the worst fighter of all the Sharks.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Anything goes except fly tackle. Although its natural diet is shellfish, it will eagerly take cut baits of any kind. Not fished with artificial lures.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Still Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Fox Shark
RANGE: All Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.
HABITAT: The deep sea; sometimes seen at the surface but almost always caught far under it.
DESCRIPTION: The Thresher shown here, and the Bigeye Thresher, Alopias superciliosus, both have long, scythe-like tails.
SIZE: Average is 250-350 pounds; both grow to perhaps 1,000 pounds. World record 767 pounds, 3 ounces; Florida record 544 pounds, 8 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Probably good, and the tail fin would make a lot of soup.
GAME QUALITIES: Said to be an excellent fighter.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Heavy classes of ocean tackle.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Fishing.

OTHER NAMES: Bonito Shark, Blue Pointer
RANGE: All Florida coasts; most often seen in Southeast Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
HABITAT: The open sea. Shortfin Makos frequently cruise, and strike at, the surface, whereas the Longfin is almost entirely a deep dweller.
DESCRIPTION: The Shortfin Mako, shown here, is known to offshore anglers as, simply, "Mako." The Longfin Mako, Isurus paucus, is less often caught. Both have a huge mouthful of bulging teeth that are long and pointed. The Makos are blue above and white below.
SIZE: Range is 200-600 pounds, but both species can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. World record 1,115 pounds; Florida record 911 pounds, 12 ounces.
FOOD VALUE: Excellent; comparable to Swordfish.
GAME QUALITIES: Considered by many big-game anglers as deserving of rank among the big Billfishes.
TACKLE AND BAITS: Ocean trolling tackle, in at least the 30-pound line class. Usually will strike rigged baits, such as Mullet and Mackerel, or a live Bonito.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Trolling.

OTHER NAMES: Great White Shark, White Pointer, Jaqueton
RANGE: Occurs, if rarely, off all Florida coasts, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Prefers cooler water than ours, and no more than a couple are reported in Florida during a typical angling year. More often than not, the occasional catch of a Great White is made in the Florida Keys.
HABITAT: The open sea.
DESCRIPTION: Profile is much like the Mako's, except proportionately trimmer. Color varies from overall grayish white to brownish above and white below. Usually looks lighter in the water than other big sharks. Nose is pointed; teeth triangular and serrated. A black patch may be present at base of pectoral fin.
SIZE: Might be 200 or 2,000 pounds. The largest of all predatory Sharks, it has been verified at 20 feet and over 4,000 pounds. World record 2,664 pounds; Florida record 686 pounds.
FOOD VALUE: From whose viewpoint; the angler's or the Shark's? White Shark steaks are probably fair to good, but who really knows?
GAME QUALITIES: Size and rarity alone place it among the ultimate angling challenges. The Great White, as a matter of fact, ranks as the largest species of fish ever caught by sportfishing methods.
TACKLE AND BAITS: For big specimens, the heaviest sporting tackle available is never too heavy. Best baits are large dead fish, such as Tuna, Dolphin or Bonito - or the same bait fished live, when available. Florida, catches are opportunistic, usually coming as a surprise to anglers who are seeking more common species of Sharks.
FISHING SYSTEMS: Drifting; Still Fishing.