Thresher Sharks in Nor Cal

Any info on this?

Chuck, Mike/sturgy, blue Kayak and JTF have caught these sharks from their yaks (I'm sure the Coastsiders have had their share as well) I'm just wondering if these sharks are swimming in our waters year round.

The recent Thresher sighting was just last weekend at Bean Hollow at around 40 to 50 feet = the shark was easily over a hundred pounds.

Joel,

Here's some info for you...
http://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?ParentMenuId=123&id=972.

Migrations, Movements and Stock Structure

A thresher shark satellite pop-up tagging study  has shown southern California thresher shark tagging in spring can travel to off Baja California Mexico by the following October and 540 miles southwest of La Paz, Mexico by January. Other indirect evidence, including patterns in catches, suggest a seasonal north-south migration between San Diego/Baja California Mexico and Oregon and Washington. It has been proposed that large adult common thresher sharks pass through southern California waters in early spring of the year, remaining in offshore waters from one to two months during which time pupping occurs. Pups are then thought to move into shallow coastal waters. The adults then continue to follow warming water and perhaps schools of bait northward, and by late summer, arrive off Oregon and Washington. Subadult members of the stock appear to arrive in southern California waters during early summer, and as summer progresses move up the coast as far north as San Francisco, with some moving as far north as the Columbia River area. In fall, these subadults are thought to move south again, arriving in the Channel Islands area. Little is known about the presumed southward migration of the large adults, which do not appear along the coast until the following spring. Genetic analyses have indicated that the Pacific U.S. -Mexico common thresher shark is stock is a single homogenous West Coast population.

Brian

good stuff / thanks 

I had the opportunity to catch a 7-8 foot Thrasher about this time of year, a few years ago while mooching for salmon on a boat. The salmon fishing was slow then as it is now and the water was unusually warm. Caught it on an anchovy north of Bodega. The problem I had was I did not realize the quality of such a shark. I directed my buddy to cut the leader when I got the thrasher boat side. He did. An adjacent boat motored up an offered his condolences. I had replied “why? It was only a shark”. They then explained how nice such a fish was. With further research on the topic at the time I nearly Sh**. I’ve regretted that decision ever since.   

At least you gave another angler the chance at the thrill you felt.

Of course, I love thresher shark.  Best eating ocean fish next to yellowtail.

MolBasser

Is it really better than halibut or salmon???
I would seriously have a hard time keeping such a magnificant creature. Then again, I guess it would depend on how hungry I was at the time I landed it.
What are the teeth like on a thresher?? Anything to worry about?

What are the teeth like on a thresher?? Anything to worry about?

Ask Brian G about this............

Is it really better than halibut or salmon???
I would seriously have a hard time keeping such a magnificant creature. Then again, I guess it would depend on how hungry I was at the time I landed it.
What are the teeth like on a thresher?? Anything to worry about?

The teeth are small, but sharp.  In fact, for their size, threshers have very small mouths.

MolBasser

mooch, are you going to target one?

Anyone have any intel on recent thresher encounters?  Are there still good schools of mackerel anywhere?  I'd love to slow troll a live one around the schools and give it a shot.

-Allen

mooch, are you going to target one?

I'd like to - just don't much about them. Two years ago, I helped Mike / Sturgy land one while we were mooching for Salmon at Linda Mar. It was about 20 pounds - a pup - but truly amazing to watch. That bad boy must have leaped completely out of the air about 3 times. Must be hoot just hooking into one.....but I'd rather release it.....since wouldn't know how to cook it anyway.

Allen - the macks are thick around the pacifica pier.

Any macks in LM?  How about a Sunday morning run before heading over to Paddlefest?

-Allen

Is it really better than halibut or salmon???

Yes, it is better.

I would seriously have a hard time keeping such a magnificant creature. Then again, I guess it would depend on how hungry I was at the time I landed it.

if it is a beauty contest, then leopards win hands down, but all fish are magnificant.

What are the teeth like on a thresher?? Anything to worry about?

MolBasser

I had the opportunity to catch a 7-8 foot Thrasher about this time of year, a few years ago while mooching for salmon on a boat. The salmon fishing was slow then as it is now and the water was unusually warm. Caught it on an anchovy north of Bodega. The problem I had was I did not realize the quality of such a shark. I directed my buddy to cut the leader when I got the thrasher boat side. He did. An adjacent boat motored up an offered his condolences. I had replied “why? It was only a shark”. They then explained how nice such a fish was. With further research on the topic at the time I nearly Sh**. I’ve regretted that decision ever since.   

It's nothing to regret - you released a fish most people would gaff without a second thought. From what I've read, threshers don't become sexually mature until they are approximately 9 feet long. All these little guys people have been catching are just pups.

From what I've read, salmon don't become sexually mature until they spawn and die.  All these little guys people have been catching are just pups.

Said in good fun ... just stirring the pot.   

-Allen