Great White Shark

Oceans & Range: All cold to temperate oceans worldwide. Major concentrations exist off Central California (Farallon Islands, Año Nuevo), South Africa (Dyer Island), Australia (Neptune Islands), and New Zealand. In the Atlantic, found from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico and from Norway to South Africa. A protected species throughout most of its range — fishing is prohibited.

Preferred Water Temperature: 54°F–75°F. One of the few large sharks comfortable in cold water. Highly mobile — tagged individuals cross entire ocean basins seasonally. California Great Whites aggregate near pinniped colonies at the Farallon Islands each fall.

Size & Weight: Females grow larger than males. Common encounters with fish of 10–17 feet and 1,500–4,000 lbs. Maximum reliably documented size approximately 20 feet. The largest predatory fish in the ocean. Fully protected — no targeted fishing is legal anywhere in US waters.

Best Lures: N/A — fully protected species. No targeted fishing permitted.

Best Baits: N/A — fully protected species. Accidental encounters occur when fishing for other species near pinniped colonies.

All cold to temperate oceans worldwide. Major concentrations exist off Central California (Farallon Islands, Año Nuevo), South Africa (Dyer Island), Australia (Neptune Islands), and New Zealand. In the Atlantic, found from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico and from Norway to South Africa. A protected species throughout most of its range — fishing is prohibited.

54°F–75°F. One of the few large sharks comfortable in cold water. Highly mobile — tagged individuals cross entire ocean basins seasonally. California Great Whites aggregate near pinniped colonies at the Farallon Islands each fall.

Best Lures: N/A — fully protected species. No targeted fishing permitted. Best Baits: N/A — fully protected species. Accidental encounters occur when fishing for other species near pinniped colonies.

2 fishing locations where you can catch Great White Shark

Females grow larger than males. Common encounters with fish of 10–17 feet and 1,500–4,000 lbs. Maximum reliably documented size approximately 20 feet. The largest predatory fish in the ocean. Fully protected — no targeted fishing is legal anywhere in US waters.