Sharks & Rays

Smalltooth sawfish

Pez sierra

Pristis pectinata

SaltwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

8–16 ft.

Depth

1–30 ft.

Best time

Dusk and night are prime.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A ray with a shark-like body and a long flat saw (rostrum) lined with 22–29 teeth on each side.
Typical size: 8–16 ft.
Maximum size: About 18 ft.
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 South Florida & Keys, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Atlantic Coast, Bahamas & Turks and Caicos and Cuba. Mangrove shorelines and shallow bays of Southwest Florida, Florida Bay and the Keys.
Habitat: Mangrove shorelines and shallow bays of Southwest Florida, Florida Bay and the Keys.
Depth: 1–30 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: Never target.
Best artificial 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.

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

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Mangrove shorelines and shallow bays of Southwest Florida, Florida Bay and the Keys.
Rig up: Heavy spinning or conventional, 50–80 lb class. Wire or heavy cable leader longer than the shark.
Pick your bait: Never target. Lures: —
Fish it: If you hook one accidentally, keep it in the water and cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
Time it: Dusk and night are prime. Moving water in passes and along beaches.

Fishing techniques: If you hook one accidentally, keep it in the water and cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
BigJoe's tip: Don't touch the saw — it swings side to side with force.
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.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: The saw can cause serious injuries — keep clear and cut the line.
Regulations: ENDANGERED (U.S. Endangered Species Act). Never target, lift, or remove from the water. Report encounters to NOAA's sawfish hotline. 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.

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Sources & photo credits