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Blue Shark

Blue Shark

Prionace glauca
SharkSaltwater20ftEdibility: PoorSport Fish

Oceans & Range: All temperate and tropical oceans worldwide — one of the most widely distributed sharks on Earth. In the Pacific, found from Alaska to Chile. In the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Argentina including the Gulf of Mexico. A highly migratory pelagic species that travels thousands of miles seasonally.

Preferred Water Temperature: 50°F–68°F. The most cold-tolerant of the common pelagic sharks — they are more common in cooler blue water than Mako or Thresher Sharks. Concentrate at current edges and temperature breaks offshore.

Size & Weight: Typically 6–9 feet and 130–350 lbs. Maximum size over 12 feet. World record: 454 lbs. Very slender and graceful — the "greyhound of the sea." Highly abundant offshore; frequently encountered by anglers targeting Albacore and other offshore species.

Best Lures: Large skirted trolling lures at trolling speed occasionally attract Blue Sharks. Large surface poppers produce strikes when fish are active near the surface. Large jigging spoons work when fish are concentrated.

Best Baits: Fresh whole mackerel are the top chum bait. Cut squid produces consistent action. Large chunks of any oily fish work in a chum slick. Whole fresh-dead herring are effective. Blue Sharks respond aggressively to blood and oil chum — setting up a chum slick is the standard technique.

Range

All temperate and tropical oceans worldwide — one of the most widely distributed sharks on Earth. In the Pacific, found from Alaska to Chile. In the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Argentina including the Gulf of Mexico. A highly migratory pelagic species that travels thousands of miles seasonally.

Habitat

Blue sharks are highly pelagic, inhabiting the open ocean from the surface down to depths exceeding 1,150 feet, though they most commonly cruise between the surface and 450 feet. They strongly prefer cooler temperate waters between 45°F and 68°F but tolerate tropical seas when following deep thermal layers. These sharks favor offshore waters beyond the continental shelf, typically found miles from shore in blue water. They often concentrate along oceanic fronts, temperature breaks, and convergence zones where currents meet, as these areas aggregate prey. Blue sharks make extensive vertical migrations, rising toward the surface at night to feed and descending to cooler depths during daylight hours. While primarily open-ocean wanderers, they occasionally venture closer to shore when chasing baitfish schools or following warm currents. Juveniles tend to inhabit shallower coastal waters more frequently than adults.

How to Catch Blue Shark

Equipment

50°F–68°F. The most cold-tolerant of the common pelagic sharks — they are more common in cooler blue water than Mako or Thresher Sharks. Concentrate at current edges and temperature breaks offshore.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Large skirted trolling lures at trolling speed occasionally attract Blue Sharks. Large surface poppers produce strikes when fish are active near the surface. Large jigging spoons work when fish are concentrated.

Best Baits:
Fresh whole mackerel are the top chum bait. Cut squid produces consistent action. Large chunks of any oily fish work in a chum slick. Whole fresh-dead herring are effective. Blue Sharks respond aggressively to blood and oil chum — setting up a chum slick is the standard technique.

Game Qualities

Typically 6–9 feet and 130–350 lbs. Maximum size over 12 feet. World record: 454 lbs. Very slender and graceful — the "greyhound of the sea." Highly abundant offshore; frequently encountered by anglers targeting Albacore and other offshore species.

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumChordata
classElasmobranchii
orderCarcharhiniformes
familyCarcharhinidae
genusPrionace
speciesPrionace glauca
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