Also known as
- Blue Whaler US
- Great Blue Shark US
- Blue Dog US
- Blue Pointer US
Identification
A large, slender oceanic shark built for sustained long-distance cruising across open ocean. Lightweight relative to length. Males and females reach similar sizes with minimal dimorphism.
- Vivid indigo-blue dorsal coloration grading to brilliant white belly — diagnostic mark
- Extremely long, scythe-shaped pectoral fins extending well beyond body width
- Long conical snout longer than the width of the mouth
- Large eyes adapted for low-light open-ocean conditions
- Slender, streamlined body built for efficient long-distance swimming
Where it holds
- Oceanic
- Offshore
Behaviour
A pelagic oceanic shark cruising temperate and tropical waters worldwide — among the most migratory of all sharks, with tracked individuals covering 28,000+ km. Daily vertical migrations: surface activity at dawn, dusk, and night; deeper holding by day below the thermocline. Slow-cruising surface hunter taking open-water fish and squid via long sustained patrols and mid-depth drops. Surface cruisers expose dorsal and tail fin tips with long pectorals splayed — diagnostic ID cue from the boat.
Diet: Mackerel, Herring, Sardines, Oceanic Squid, Cuttlefish, Small Tunas
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Chunking
The defining UK Cornwall, Irish, and US Northeast offshore approach — establish a long oily chum slick from a drifting boat using mashed mackerel, herring, and sardines mixed with bran and fish oil deployed in mesh bags. Sharks home from miles via scent. Position whole hook baits in the slick at varied depths. Heavy mono shock leader with 2m of 200lb single-strand wire trace mandatory.
Float Fishing
The premier hooked-bait presentation in the chum slick — suspend a whole fresh mackerel under a balloon or polyball float at 8-15m, drifted 20m+ from the boat. Reels must hold 500+ yards of 50lb mono for sustained runs; harness or fighting belt strongly recommended. 2m of 200lb single-strand wire trace non-negotiable.
Live Lining
Free-drift unweighted whole fresh mackerel or live mackerel naturally through the chum slick alongside float-fished baits. The unrestricted drift triggers strikes from sharks that ignore tethered presentations. Same heavy mono and 2m of 200lb single-strand wire trace as float fishing.
Bottom Fishing
Secondary deep-drop approach when sharks hold below the thermocline during midday in tropical and subtropical water. Drop weighted whole-fish or chunk baits to 50-200m. 2m of 200lb single-strand wire trace mandatory.
