Skip to content

Search

Popular pages

How to catch Tope shark

Galeorhinus galeus (Linnaeus, 1758)

About Tope shark fishing

The tope shark belongs to the houndshark family and is recognised by its slender, elongated body, long pointed snout, and greyish dorsal colouring contrasting with a white belly. It reaches significant proportions, growing up to one hundred and ninety three centimetres in total length and forty four kilograms in weight. This oceanodromous species inhabits coastal and offshore saltwaters across temperate latitudes, ranging from shallow inshore zones down to continental shelves and deeper slopes. It forms small schools that undertake extensive migrations across open waters and coastal areas. As a high trophic level predator, it feeds primarily on various fish species, cephalopods, and crustaceans found both near the seabed and in midwater. European sea anglers value it as a powerful sport fish that offers strong fights in heavy coastal currents.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    160 cm TL

  • Market value

    Medium

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

  • Also known as

    Eastern school shark, Flake, Greyboy, Greyshark, Hundshai, Penny's dog

Tope shark

Heterocercal caudal

Large upper lobe and prominent terminal lobe characteristic of houndsharks.

Long pointed snout

Elongated, sharply pointed rostrum typical of the tope shark.

Tope shark fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    160 cm TL (max 193 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    6.5 kg (max 44.7 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    6.7–23.2 °C

  • Depth

    0–1,100 m

  • Longevity

    55 years

  • Body shape

    Elongated

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    75.8

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Low

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Peak

When to fish for Tope shark

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 Tope shark

Tips for catching Tope shark

Targeting this migratory houndshark requires heavy tackle capable of withstanding powerful runs in deep water or strong tidal channels. Fishing from anchored or drifting boats near rough ground, deep reefs, or tidal drop-offs yields the most consistent results. Ledgering freshly cut baits such as mackerel strips or whole squid on strong running-ledger rigs ensures adequate scent distribution in deep or murky water. Surfcasting from rocky headroms or deep ocean beaches also produces results during peak movement months when fish cruise close inshore. Strong wire traces or heavy nylon leaders are essential to prevent abrasion from their sharp teeth during prolonged fights.

Other names for Tope shark

Local and alternate names anglers use for Tope shark.

  • Soupfin shark
  • Sharpie shark
  • Snapper shark
  • School shark
  • Penny's dog
  • Schnapper shark
  • Hundshai
  • Greyshark
  • Greyboy
  • Tope shark
  • Tope school shark
  • Tope
  • Tope oil shark
  • Vitamin shark
  • Sweet William shark
  • Flake
  • Tope soupfin shark
  • Eastern school shark

Best equipment to catch Tope shark

Compare fishing methods for Tope shark — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 6.5 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Tope shark

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

How Tope shark 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 Tope shark 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 Tope shark

Prey and predators of Tope shark

Prey is what Tope shark eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

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

Prey

What it eats

Predators

What hunts it

Where Tope shark lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
0–1,100 m
Usually 2–471 m
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives

Where to fish for Tope shark

Mapped fishing spots where Tope shark is recorded — open a pin for access and methods.

Kaituna Lagoon

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Bahía de Ávila

Las PalmasCanariasSpain

Whatipu Stream

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Hamiltons Gap

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Manukau Entrance

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Wattle Bay

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Whangateau Harbour

AucklandAucklandNew Zealand

Kaitorete Spit

ChristchurchCanterburyNew Zealand

Lough Caragh

KerryÉire / IrelandIreland