Mako Shark

Oceans & Range: All tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. Shortfin Mako ranges from Nova Scotia to Argentina in the Atlantic, and from Oregon to Chile in the Pacific. Also found throughout the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific. A highly migratory pelagic species that travels thousands of miles. California fishing is most productive offshore from June through October.

Preferred Water Temperature: 60°F–72°F. A warm to cool water pelagic shark that concentrates at temperature breaks and current edges offshore. Frequently encountered while targeting Albacore and Swordfish in Pacific waters.

Size & Weight: Typically 6–9 feet and 200–600 lbs. Trophy fish exceed 1,000 lbs. World record: 1,221 lbs from Massachusetts. The fastest shark in the ocean — capable of bursts exceeding 45 mph. Known for spectacular leaping — may jump 20 feet out of the water when hooked. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures produce strikes at trolling speed. Large surface poppers cast to finning fish produce explosive strikes. Large stick baits and jerkbaits worked erratically draw aggressive strikes. Mako readily strike artificial lures — more so than most large sharks.

Best Baits: Whole fresh mackerel are the top chum bait in California and the Atlantic. Fresh whole bonito are excellent. Large squid rigged on heavy tackle work very well. Whole fresh-dead bluefish are a top East Coast bait. Setting a chum slick of ground mackerel and menhaden is the standard technique.

All tropical and temperate oceans worldwide. Shortfin Mako ranges from Nova Scotia to Argentina in the Atlantic, and from Oregon to Chile in the Pacific. Also found throughout the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific. A highly migratory pelagic species that travels thousands of miles. California fishing is most productive offshore from June through October.

60°F–72°F. A warm to cool water pelagic shark that concentrates at temperature breaks and current edges offshore. Frequently encountered while targeting Albacore and Swordfish in Pacific waters.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures produce strikes at trolling speed. Large surface poppers cast to finning fish produce explosive strikes. Large stick baits and jerkbaits worked erratically draw aggressive strikes. Mako readily strike artificial lures — more so than most large sharks. Best Baits: Whole fresh mackerel are the top chum bait in California and the Atlantic. Fresh whole bonito are excellent. Large squid rigged on heavy tackle work very well. Whole fresh-dead bluefish are a top East Coast bait. Setting a chum slick of ground mackerel and menhaden is the standard technique.

Typically 6–9 feet and 200–600 lbs. Trophy fish exceed 1,000 lbs. World record: 1,221 lbs from Massachusetts. The fastest shark in the ocean — capable of bursts exceeding 45 mph. Known for spectacular leaping — may jump 20 feet out of the water when hooked. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean.

2 official records on file for Mako Shark