Also known as
- Leopard Shark US
- Spotted Shark US
- Maneater Shark US
- Man-eater US
Identification
A massive, robust apex shark built for raw power and endurance over speed. Females grow significantly larger than males. Front-heavy build that tapers to a powerful peduncle.
- Dark vertical bars and spots running along the body — vivid in juveniles, fading with age (the namesake tiger pattern)
- Gray to greenish-gray or brownish-gray dorsal coloration with stark white belly
- Conspicuously blunt, short, flat snout — diagnostic against pointed-snouted requiem sharks
- Distinctive cockscomb-shaped teeth with curved cusps and finely serrated edges, identical in upper and lower jaws
- Large, robust head with prominent eyes and broad mouth
Where it holds
- Inshore
- Offshore
- Coral Reefs
- Estuaries
- Sandy Shores
- Rocky Shores
Behaviour
A solitary, opportunistic apex predator with the broadest prey spectrum of any shark — rays, bony fish, seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, and smaller sharks. Smaller individuals feed primarily on the bottom; larger fish hunt the full water column from surface to 350m+. Activity peaks at dusk, dawn, and through the night — patrols shallow reefs, harbours, and beaches by night and retreats offshore by day. Highly migratory, ranging from inshore reef edges to deep open ocean.
Diet: Stingrays, Bonito, Jacks, Mullet, Mackerel, Octopus, Smaller Sharks
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Chunking
The defining offshore charter approach — establish a long oily chum slick from a drifting or anchored boat using mashed bonito, mullet, mackerel, and tuna offcuts mixed with fish blood. Once sharks appear in the slick, present whole fresh baits on heavy tackle. 2-3m of 300-400lb single-strand wire trace and 10/0-14/0 non-offset circle hooks are non-negotiable.
Surf Casting
A hardcore heritage shore fishery — Australian NSW/QLD beaches, Hawaiian shorelines, SE US/Gulf passes. Deploy whole rays, bonito, or mullet 100-300m offshore via kayak, drone, or paddleboard with heavy 8-16oz pyramid sinkers. Sturdy sand-spike rod holders and 80lb+ braid mandatory. 2m of 300lb+ single-strand wire trace; 10/0-14/0 circle hooks. Strict catch-and-release best practice.
Bottom Fishing
Effective when sharks hold deep along shelf edges, channel mouths, and reef drop-offs. Drop weighted whole-fish or large chunk baits to 30-150m on heavy bent-butt stand-up tackle. 2-3m of 300lb+ single-strand wire trace; 12/0-14/0 circle hooks. Best run alongside an active chum slick.
Trolling
A secondary search method — slow-troll large skirted lures, swimming plugs, or rigged whole fish at 4-6 knots along reef edges, current rips, and shelf breaks. Hookups are bycatch when targeting billfish or tuna. 2m of 300lb single-strand wire trace mandatory.
