Sharks & Rays
Sandbar shark
Tiburón trozo
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)
At a glance
Most are around 6.6 ft (200 cm).
From the surface down to 1,640 ft (500 m), usually 66 ft–213 ft (20–65 m).
Dusk and night are prime.
12 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Brownish-gray shark with a very tall first dorsal fin that starts above the pectoral fins, and a ridge between the dorsal fins.
- Typical size
Most are around 6.6 ft (200 cm).
- Maximum size
Up to about 9.8 ft (300 cm) long and 260 lb (117.9 kg). Source: FishBase
- Diet
The sandbar shark eats mainly fish, plus small sharks, squid and octopus, shrimp, rays and sea snails. Young ones eat lots of crabs, like blue crabs, and mantis shrimp.
- Behavior
It is common in bays, river mouths and harbors, usually near the bottom, and avoids the surf zone, coral reefs, rough bottom and the surface. It makes seasonal migrations in some areas and is a good light-tackle fighter.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast, South Florida & Keys, Northern Gulf (AL–TX), Mexico Gulf Coast, Bahamas & Turks and Caicos, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Georgia & South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia & Chesapeake Bay and Delaware & New Jersey.
- Habitat
Bays, passes and coastal waters over sand and mud.
- Depth
From the surface down to 1,640 ft (500 m), usually 66 ft–213 ft (20–65 m).
- Fishing depth
From waist-deep surf to reef edges and channels.
- Best season
All year in South Florida; spring and summer are busiest along the Gulf.
- Best time
Dusk and night are prime.
- Best tides
Moving water in passes and along beaches.
- Best weather / conditions
Fishable in most conditions you can handle safely.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Cut fish.
- Best artificial lures
Not targeted with lures.
- Tackle setup
Heavy spinning or conventional, 50–80 lb class.
- Hook size
10/0–16/0 non-stainless, non-offset circle hooks (required when shark fishing in Florida and federal waters with natural bait).
- Line
50–80 lb braid or mono.
- Leader
Wire or heavy cable leader longer than the shark.
BigJoe's setup for Sandbar shark
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Bays, passes and coastal waters over sand and mud.
- Rig up: Heavy spinning or conventional, 50–80 lb class. Wire or heavy cable leader longer than the shark.
- Pick your bait: Cut fish. Lures: Not targeted with lures.
- Fish it: Catch-and-release only.
- Time it: Dusk and night are prime. Moving water in passes and along beaches.
- Fishing techniques
Catch-and-release only.
- BigJoe's tip
Keep prohibited sharks in the water while you unhook them.
- Catch and release
Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Do not keep — protected.
- Cooking suggestions
Do not keep — protected.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Never pull a shark onto the sand by the tail or bring large sharks aboard. Cut the leader close to the hook if you can't remove it safely.
- Regulations
PROHIBITED: sandbar sharks may not be harvested by recreational anglers in Florida or U.S. federal waters. Release immediately. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
- Conservation
Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.