The shark with the whip tail. A serious boat fish when they show on the Catalina / San Pedro side.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Open ocean in the San Pedro Channel and beyond — a sportboat and private-boat fishery, not a pier fish.
State-managed sharks: shortfin mako, thresher, and blue — two fish per day, no size limit. White sharks are no-take. This is not a beginner pier trip. Heavy tackle and a crew that has done it.
Common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus) have a very long upper tail lobe, nearly as long as the body, which they use to stun prey.
Threshers feed on schooling baitfish offshore. Off LA, boat anglers target them in Santa Monica Bay and the San Pedro Channel.
Open year-round. Many anglers target them in spring and summer.
OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory recommends women 18–49 and children not eat sharks, and others eat no more than 1 serving a week.
Limit is 2 of each species of shortfin mako, thresher and blue shark. No size limit. White sharks are prohibited.
A thresher's long upper tail lobe is a hunting tool: the shark swims through schools of baitfish and whips the tail to stun prey. That is why many threshers are hooked in the tail on trolled lures. Tail-hooked fish are pulled backward, which can drown them quickly, so a fast fight and careful release matter.
Keep the shark in the water, cut the leader close to the hook if you cannot safely remove it, and avoid lifting large sharks by the tail. Do not bring a green, thrashing thresher aboard a small boat; the tail can injure people.
Thresher meat is firm and mild and is eaten fresh, grilled or smoked. Because sharks can carry higher mercury levels, OEHHA's statewide coastal advisory recommends women 18–49 and children not eat sharks.
White sharks may not be taken or possessed. Sixgill and sevengill are 1 fish, no size.
CDFW Southern ocean regs — state-managed sharks →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
2 fish per day, with no size limit.
Offshore from boats in Santa Monica Bay and the San Pedro Channel.
OEHHA advises women 18–49 and children not to eat sharks, and others to limit to 1 serving a week.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
