Sharks & Rays

Leopard shark

Tiburón leopardo

Triakis semifasciata

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

3–5 ft.

Depth

3–30 ft.

Best time

Dusk and night are prime.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Slender gray shark with black saddles and spots on the back, like a leopard. Harmless to people.
Typical size: 3–5 ft.
Maximum size: About 6 ft and 40 lb.
Diet: Fish, rays, crabs and squid.
Behavior: Cruises beaches, passes, flats and reefs, often following bait and the smell of chum.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern California and Central & Northern California. Shallow bays, estuaries and sandy beaches from Baja to Oregon; very common in San Francisco Bay, Elkhorn Slough and La Jolla.
Habitat: Shallow bays, estuaries and sandy beaches from Baja to Oregon; very common in San Francisco Bay, Elkhorn Slough and La Jolla.
Depth: 3–30 ft.
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.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Squid, mackerel, anchovies, clams and ghost shrimp.
Best artificial lures: Usually caught on bait.
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.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Shallow bays, estuaries and sandy beaches from Baja to Oregon; very common in San Francisco Bay, Elkhorn Slough and La Jolla.
Rig up: Heavy spinning or conventional, 50–80 lb class. Wire or heavy cable leader longer than the shark.
Pick your bait: Squid, mackerel, anchovies, clams and ghost shrimp. Lures: Usually caught on bait.
Fish it: Fish bait on the bottom in bays and on mudflats on a rising tide.
Time it: Dusk and night are prime. Moving water in passes and along beaches.

Fishing techniques: Fish bait on the bottom in bays and on mudflats on a rising tide.
BigJoe's tip: Leopard sharks are slow-growing — release most of them and keep only what you'll eat fresh.
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.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Bleed and ice it right away; marinate and grill the steaks.

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: California has a minimum size and bag limit. Check CDFW. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits