Mako shark, Hell-raiser of the Sea

Mako shark is widely distributed in the world’s oceans. It’s mainly found in most tropical and temperate waters. And there’re two types, short-fin and long-fin of which short-fin is the most common and the most popular of all sport-fishing shark. The long-fin is a deep-sea dweller caught sometimes accidentally by deep-drop fishing techniques. Little is known of this particulartype.

Nicknames

Some of the given nicknames are blue pointer, dog shark, mackerel shark and bonito shark.

The scientific name is Isurus oxyrinchus for the short fin and Isurus paucus for the long fin. Mako shark is from the Lamnidae family.

Characteristics

Mako shark’s body is torpedo-shaped with dark, big fearsome eyes. It has 5 long gill slits, a sharply pointed snout, large mouth with long, curvy teeth. Both pectoral fins are placed just behind the gill slits and the large dorsal fin is placed nicely in the middle. The tail is crescent-shaped.

The color is a beautiful cobalt blue on the back, changing slightly to a lighter blue on the sides to a snow-white belly.

Each female weigh over 600 lbs. before she is matured. This warm-blooded species is ovoviviparous, which means the eggs are hatch inside the mother’s stomach and they’re born alive while still in the uterus. Resorting to cannibalism to survive the unborn young may be left with only one in the end for birth. Sound very cruel isn’t it. But it’s quite remarkable that this species is still around in the world’s oceans today.

It’s not only a good big-game fish but unfortunately it’s also a very good eating fish. So it’s not only sport fishermen are after them, the long liners love them as much because mako steaks command a very good price. The texture is firm and the taste is excellent.

Mako shark can grow to 13 ft and a weight of 1500 lbs. The lifespan is about 30 years. It is not only the most powerful shark but also the fastest shark in the oceans. It can reach speeds of 40 mph for short bursts. The all-tackle world record is a 1,115 lbs. monster taken off Mauritius in 1988.

It feed on swordfish, tunas, squids and mackerels.

Tackle

Sturdy tackle is a must to handle and fight this dogged fighter. You’ll need a boat rod of 50 lbs. class and above with a 9/0 reel spooled with 50-100 lbs. good nylon or braided fishing line. Some very experienced anglers may opt for lighter big-game gear of 20-30 lbs. class outfits. The terminal tackle is very important. It must be rigged nicely using wire leader because of its razor-sharp teeth. Often a 15 ft. single strand wire leader with a hook of # 9/0- 12/0 will do the job.

Fishing Methods

Drifting and trolling are the best methods. Drifting is much preferable with better catch. Kona heads are some of the best artificial lures used for trolling. As for drifting live or dead baits are effective.

The choice of bait is wide with any kind of fish can be used. The best is oily fish like mackerels, bonito and sardines.

Techniques

Drop-offs and wrecks are the most likely places anglers look for them. The most common and productive way to attract them to your baited-hooks is chumming. Chumming can be done with oily fish like tunas, mackerels, bonito and sardines.

Having all the characteristics of a top game-fish mako shark fight hard when hooked. Very agile and robust it can perform spectacular jumps into the air up to 20 ft. A very dangerous species know to attack boats and humans, so great care must be taken.

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