The Porbeagle is a warm blooded, cold water dwelling shark hunted extensively for game and food purposes.

The Porbeagle can be found in offshore waters in depths up to 4500ft, but feeds throughout the water column and has been caught in nearshore shallow waters as well. It is believed that their low attack stats are, at least in part, a consequence of inhabiting such cold and deep waters, which are more seldom fished recreationally.

How big

The maximum recorded size for this species is 12ft and 550lbs, but they are common between 5 and 8ft and up to 300lbs.

Distribution

This species belongs to the Mackerel shark family, whose members boast endothermic traits - they're able to keep their bodily temperature higher than that of the surrounding waters. This enables the porbeagle to inhabit the coldest of fisheries, namely the Atlantic Ocean northwards of South Carolina to the west and Morocco to the east (including the Mediterranean Sea), waters off the southern half of South America, South Africa, south Australia and New Zealand.

How to catch

As with most sharks, Porbeagle will be attracted to chumming. Once they're drawn to the surface, trolling or still fishing with Bonito, herrings, mackerel or squid as bait will be effective.

Good to eat?

The flesh is lean and of similar taste to veal. However, the species is currently classified as vulnerable due to commercial fishing pressures and its slow respawn rate.