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Photo: SWFSC Large Pelagics Program, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Alopias vulpinus
How to catch Common thresher
Common thresher feed in 58–76°F water and bite best at 62–72°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 3 waters.
150 pts · trophy at 120"Feeds 58–76°FBest 62–72°FOut of season nowLedge / hard bottom
About
The shark with a tail as long as its body, that herds bait and stuns it with a whip — a rare winter fish on the edge off Florida, hooked in the tail as often as the mouth, and a spectacular jumper.
How to fish it
Slow-troll a live bonito on the edge in winter; long fights, and a release at the boat.
What it eats
live bonito and mackereltrolled baits
Live bait for it
Bonito (cut)Whole on cable for tiger and bull sharks; fillets and chunks on the bottom for grouper and snapper; strips trolled for wahoo.
Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.What to fish it with
the sizes that fish itLeader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
Hook4/0–8/0
Braid50–100 lb
The rule
not confirmed hereOne per person with a federal HMS permit; minimum size — many release; confirm at NOAA HMS and MyFWC.
The current rule →Where it is, month by month
PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving
Mid & North Atlantic