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Broadnose Sevengill Shark

Broadnose Sevengill Shark

Notorynchus cepedianus
SharkSaltwater9ftEdibility: FairSport Fish

Oceans & Range: Temperate waters of all major oceans — the Eastern Pacific population is most common from British Columbia south to Chile, concentrated in California and Baja California bays and nearshore waters. Also found in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A bay and nearshore species, commonly found in San Francisco Bay.

Preferred Water Temperature: 50°F–65°F. A cold to cool water shark uniquely adapted to bay environments. San Francisco Bay hosts one of the largest and most studied Sevengill populations in the world — a popular catch-and-release fishery.

Size & Weight: Typically 5–8 feet and 100–300 lbs. Maximum approximately 9 feet and 350 lbs. Distinguished by seven gill slits (most sharks have five) and a broad, rounded snout. An ambush predator that hunts in packs — known to cooperatively hunt other sharks and rays.

Best Lures: Rarely taken on artificials in normal fishing situations.

Best Baits: Whole fresh bat rays and skates are the top bait for large Sevengills. Whole fresh jacksmelt work well. Large chunks of any oily fish produce in a chum slick. Whole fresh-dead striped bass are effective. 30–60 lb tackle with wire leader is standard.

Range

Temperate waters of all major oceans — the Eastern Pacific population is most common from British Columbia south to Chile, concentrated in California and Baja California bays and nearshore waters. Also found in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. A bay and nearshore species, commonly found in San Francisco Bay.

Habitat

Broadnose Sevengill Sharks inhabit temperate continental shelf waters, typically found from the surface down to depths of approximately 450 feet, though they have been recorded as deep as 1,800 feet. They show a strong preference for shallow bays, estuaries, and nearshore rocky reefs during warmer months, often moving into water less than 30 feet deep. These sharks favor areas with kelp forests, rocky outcrops, and sandy-muddy bottoms where prey concentrations are high. Juveniles and subadults commonly use protected bays and harbors as nursery grounds, while larger adults range more widely across the continental shelf. Water temperatures between 50°F and 68°F are preferred, and they often move to deeper, cooler waters during summer heat. The species is demersal but will move throughout the water column when hunting, occasionally venturing into very shallow water at night to feed on rays and other bottom-dwelling prey.

How to Catch Broadnose Sevengill Shark

Equipment

50°F–65°F. A cold to cool water shark uniquely adapted to bay environments. San Francisco Bay hosts one of the largest and most studied Sevengill populations in the world — a popular catch-and-release fishery.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Rarely taken on artificials in normal fishing situations.

Best Baits:
Whole fresh bat rays and skates are the top bait for large Sevengills. Whole fresh jacksmelt work well. Large chunks of any oily fish produce in a chum slick. Whole fresh-dead striped bass are effective. 30–60 lb tackle with wire leader is standard.

Game Qualities

Typically 5–8 feet and 100–300 lbs. Maximum approximately 9 feet and 350 lbs. Distinguished by seven gill slits (most sharks have five) and a broad, rounded snout. An ambush predator that hunts in packs — known to cooperatively hunt other sharks and rays.

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumChordata
classElasmobranchii
orderHexanchiformes
familyHexanchidae
genusNotorynchus
speciesNotorynchus cepedianus
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