Also known as
- Mako Shark US
- Mako US
- Blue Pointer US
- Bonito Shark US
Identification
A powerfully built warm-blooded oceanic shark — the fastest shark in the ocean and the most aerial. Females grow significantly larger than males. Built for explosive acceleration over endurance.
- Brilliant metallic indigo-blue back fading sharply to a stark white belly — diagnostic mark
- Long conical snout with exposed knife-like dagger teeth visible even when the mouth is closed
- Crescent-shaped tail with nearly equal upper and lower lobes — built for sustained burst speed
- Strong lateral keels on the tail base
- Large black eyes set on a pointed head
Where it holds
- Offshore
- Oceanic
Behaviour
An apex pelagic shark and the fastest fish in the ocean — burst speeds over 70 km/h with vertical leaps to 6m when hooked. Warm-blooded physiology lets it hunt cooler waters than most sharks; most active in 17-22°C (63-72°F) from surface to 500m+. Highly migratory, tracking temperature fronts and current breaks where bait concentrates. Solitary but congregates where bonito, mackerel, and bluefish school. Hunts the full water column from surface to deep thermocline.
Diet: Bluefish, Mackerel, Bonito, Herring, Small Tunas, Oceanic Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Chunking
The defining US Northeast canyon and West Coast offshore approach — establish a long oily chum slick over warm-water edges, current breaks, and seamounts using mashed bonito, bluefish, mackerel, and menhaden in mesh bags. Sharks home from miles. Position whole fresh hook baits in the slick at staggered depths. 2-3m of 300-400lb single-strand wire trace and 12/0-16/0 non-offset circle hooks mandatory.
Live Lining
Suspend a 1-3kg live bonito, mackerel, blue runner, or small tuna under a balloon float at 8-15m, drifted in the active chum slick. Live presentations consistently outproduce dead baits when sharks are present but cautious. 2m of 300-400lb single-strand wire trace; 12/0-14/0 circle hooks; harness or fighting belt strongly recommended.
Trolling
An effective search method along temperature breaks, current edges, and offshore banks — slow-troll large skirted lures, rigged whole bonito or mackerel, and pusher heads at 6-8 knots. Strikes are explosive and often immediately become aerial. 2m of 300-400lb single-strand wire trace mandatory.
Bottom Fishing
Secondary deep-drop approach over seamounts, offshore banks, and shelf edges when sharks hold below the thermocline. Drop weighted whole-fish baits to 30-200m on heavy stand-up tackle. 2-3m of 300-400lb single-strand wire trace mandatory.
Fly Fishing
Saltwater Fly
An expert-level rare achievement — chum-and-tease the fish to the boat then sight-cast 25-40cm baitfish patterns or shark flies on a 14-16wt rod with intermediate or fast-sinking line. Realistically practical only on smaller specimens under 100kg. 30cm of 60-100lb single-strand wire shock tippet mandatory. Calm conditions and a coordinated team essential.
