Maximum weight: 700kg (1500lb)

Current I.G.F.A. all time record: 505.76kg (1115lb) - Black River, Mauritius - 16 November, 1988

Identifying features: Five gill slits, wide single caudal keel. Upper body is cobalt blue and lower body silver white. Both species have a bullet nose although the Longfin Mako has longer pectoral fins and a less pointed nose than the Shortfin Mako. Angler less familiar to the Mako may incorrectly identify this species as a Blue Shark. The easiest way to distinguish between the e two species is the pectoral fins. The Blue has longer pectoral fins and is less thick around the middle than the Mako. Another way to tell is to hook one! A Blue will generally act like "mobile seaweed" when hooked. If you hook a Mako........you may wish you hadn't.

Expected temperature range: 59° F to 86° F (15° C to 30° C)

Migration: COMING SOON!!!

Breeding: Both species of Mako are ovoviviparous , that is the eggs hatch in the mother and then are born live.

Typical location: Open ocean along the continental shelf and current lines, ocean mountains and canyons. Only on rare occasions will the Mako come close to shore. Can be found following migrating tuna.

Fighting characteristics: The best fighter of all the shark species. Affectionately referred to as "blue dynamite" by anglers and with good reason. Extremely strong fish that mixes long surface runs with deep dives. Most Makos will jump out of the water when hooked (and when free swimming!) which can be extremely dangerous as they have been known to jump into boats after been hooked for only a few minutes. Large fish should not be hooked if fishing solo. Will roll on the leader when tired or at the boat.

 

Trolling Lures: Will attack lures trolled for Billfish and other gamefish

Trolling Live Bait:

Trolling Dead Bait:

Other Methods: