UTER
Photo: Fábio Olmos, CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Isurus oxyrinchus
How to catch Shortfin mako
Shortfin mako feed in 60–78°F water and bite best at 64–72°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 4 waters.
200 pts · trophy at 96"Feeds 60–78°FBest 64–72°FOut of season nowLedge / hard bottom
About
The fastest shark in the sea, cobalt blue, on the edge of the Gulf Stream in winter behind the kingfish and the bonito. Jumps like a marlin. Federally protected now — release.
How to fish it
A live bonito on cable behind the boat on the edge in 200 feet in winter; the bite is the first jump. Release in the water.
What it eats
live bonitowhole mackerelbig trolled baits
Live bait for it
Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.
Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.
Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
Hook4/0–8/0
Braid50–100 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereHarvest prohibited in the Atlantic under federal rules — catch-and-release; confirm at NOAA HMS and MyFWC.
The current rule →Where it is, month by month
PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving
Mid & North Atlantic