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How to catch Shortfin mako

Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810

About Shortfin mako fishing

The shortfin mako is a large pelagic mackerel shark belonging to the family Lamnidae, featuring a fusiform body, conical snout, large black eyes, and striking metallic blue countershading. It typically reaches a common length of two hundred seventy centimetres and a maximum length of four hundred forty-five centimetres, supported by a powerful lunate caudal fin. Inhabiting oceanic and epipelagic temperate to tropical waters down to eight hundred eighty-eight metres, this endothermic predator hunts bony fishes, cephalopods, and marine mammals at the apex of the food web. Renowned for its exceptional burst speed and dramatic aerial leaps when hooked, it is a highly sought-after game fish with an oceanodromous migration pattern.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    270 cm TL

  • Market value

    Medium

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Atlantic mako, Blue pointer, Blue shark, Bonito shark, Dog shark, Mackerel porbeagle

Shortfin mako

Lunate caudal fin

Lunate caudal fin with strongly developed lower lobe distinguishes this pelagic shark.

Dark blue and white

Dark blue upper body contrasting with white belly identifies the shortfin mako.

Shortfin mako fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    270 cm TL (max 445 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    35 kg (max 505.8 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    9.7–24.4 °C

  • Depth

    0–888 m

  • Longevity

    32 years

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    79.4

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Peak

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Active

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Shortfin mako

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Shortfin mako

Tips for catching Shortfin mako

Anglers target this powerful pelagic predator by heading several miles offshore into deep blue water and setting up an oily scent trail or berley slick to draw fish from the depths. Presenting whole dead baits such as mackerel, pilchards, or squid on wire-backed traces behind a drifting boat is the standard technique, though they will also strike trolled baits or artificial lures intended for billfish. Because these sharks possess explosive speed and aggressive fighting qualities, heavy game gear is essential, and special care must be taken near the boat as hooked individuals frequently leap high into the air or thrash violently.

Other names for Shortfin mako

Local and alternate names anglers use for Shortfin mako.

  • Mako
  • Mackerel shark
  • Mako shark
  • Dog shark
  • Mackerel porbeagle
  • Blue shark
  • Bonito shark
  • Blue pointer
  • Shortfin mako
  • Snapper shark
  • Sharp-nosed mackerel shark
  • Sharp-nosed shark
  • Sharpnose mackerel shark
  • Sharp-nose mackerel shark
  • Pointed nose shark
  • Atlantic mako
  • Short finned mako shark
  • Shortfin mako shark

Best equipment to catch Shortfin mako

Compare fishing methods for Shortfin mako — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 35 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Shortfin mako

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Shortfin mako migrates — Oceanodromous

Migrates within the sea between spawning, nursery and feeding grounds, and never enters fresh water. Follow its seasonal shifts along the coast and offshore.

How Shortfin mako migrates — Oceanodromous 1. Young: Born live, not hatched from eggs. 2. Juveniles: Grow up in sheltered nursery waters. 3. Adults: Range widely over the feeding grounds. 4. Mature adults: Return to the breeding grounds to give birth.
Breeding grounds Nursery grounds Feeding grounds

1 Young

Breeding grounds

Born live, not hatched from eggs.

2 Juveniles

Nursery grounds

Grow up in sheltered nursery waters.

3 Adults

Feeding grounds

Range widely over the feeding grounds.

4 Mature adults

→ Breeding grounds

Return to the breeding grounds to give birth.

It stays in the sea and never runs up into fresh water.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Shortfin mako

  • Diet

    Top predator

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Morning · Afternoon

  • Main prey

    Baitfish

Prey and predators of Shortfin mako

Prey is what Shortfin mako eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Where Shortfin mako lives

Pelagic in the open ocean beyond the shelf break.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Epipelagic, Mesopelagic
0–888 m
Usually 100–150 m
Water column
Open water
Does not use the seabed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Shortfin mako

Mapped fishing spots where Shortfin mako is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Tutukākā Harbour

WhangāreiNorthlandNew Zealand

Puerto de Las Nieves

Las PalmasCanariasSpain