Common Thresher Shark in California
California rules, records and waters for common thresher shark.
- 2 a daydaily bag
California common thresher shark at a glance
CDFW covers Common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) among its sharks/rays species, found on salt water. CDFW sets a Statewide bag of 2 a day and a size rule of none.
The Marine Species Portal lists the north, central and south regions.
How CDFW describes common thresher shark
“The common thresher shark occurs worldwide in warmer seas. In the eastern North Pacific, it is found from the Strait of Juan de Fuca, British Columbia to central Baja California, Mexico.”
“Pelagic, open ocean environment. The common thresher is an inhabitant of the upper layers of deep offshore waters and is most abundant in areas of steep bottom contour along the edges of the continental shelf. During the spring and summer months smaller threshers may occur near shore where they are often seen leaping completely out of the water.”
- SizeLargest Record: 6 meters (20 feet); 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds). For state angling and diving records, see our Fishing and Diving Records web page .
- SeasonCommercial gill net fishing for thresher shark has significant seasonal closures which vary by region. Common threshers are most abundant during the summer months. Recreational thresher shark catches are highest May through August.
- GearRecreational anglers off California use hook and line gear with live sardines, anchovies, or mackerel as bait. Thresher sharks are taken commercially in gill nets as well as by hook and line and occasionally harpoon.
- Where fishedThresher sharks are taken statewide, but the best localities have been the San Francisco Bay area, the inshore coastal water between Point Conception and Port Hueneme, and Santa Monica Bay.
- Other namesthresher, blue thresher, green thresher, longtail shark, swiveltail, fox shark, sea fox
Quoted from CDFW, checked October 2026.
How many common thresher shark you may keep
| Where | Daily bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 2 a day | none | Year round |
CDFW 2026 Freshwater and Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations. All California limits.
If you like common thresher shark
- Bat RaySharks/Rays
- Blue SharkSharks/Rays
- Broadnose Sevengill SharkSharks/Rays
- Brown Smoothhound SharkSharks/Rays
- Leopard SharkSharks/Rays
- Pacific Spiny DogfishSharks/Rays
- Round StingraySharks/Rays
- Salmon SharkSharks/Rays
- Shortfin Mako SharkSharks/Rays
- Shovelnose GuitarfishSharks/Rays
- Soupfin SharkSharks/Rays
- ThornbackSharks/Rays
Things to know about common thresher shark
What is the California bag limit on common thresher shark?
2 a day (Statewide), size none.
Where was the record common thresher shark caught?
CDFW lists no record for it.
Which California waters hold common thresher shark?
Thresher sharks are taken statewide, but the best localities have been the San Francisco Bay area, the inshore coastal water between Point Conception and Port Hueneme, and Santa Monica Bay.
Is common thresher shark part of the stocking plan?
Not in the 2026 trout and inland salmon plan.
How do I identify common thresher shark?
Largest Record: 6 meters (20 feet); 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds). For state angling and diving records, see our Fishing and Diving Records web page .
Does California close the season on common thresher shark?
Year round
Which California license covers common thresher shark?
A license from age 16 at $64.54; check the card rules for salmon and sturgeon.
Which landings report common thresher shark?
None list it in their counts; see the guides page.
Plan a common thresher shark trip
Choose a water from the lists on this page.