Skip to main content

Copper Shark

Copper Shark

Copper sharks move into Argentine coastal waters from October through late March, making them a warm-season target along the Atlantic coast.

Sport fishers pursue them primarily from shore and small boats, and a growing catch-and-release movement has developed around them given their threatened status in the southwestern Atlantic.

Scientific Name: Carcharhinus brachyurus

Also known as Tiburón cobrizo, Bronze whaler, Bronzie, Narrowtooth shark

Physical Characteristics:
  • Bronze to coppery brown on the back, fading cleanly to a white belly — the coloration is the easiest field mark.
  • Long, pointed snout; large pectoral fins; first dorsal fin slightly rounded at the tip; no prominent ridge between the two dorsal fins.
  • Upper teeth are narrow and hook-shaped — a key distinguishing feature from similar large requiem sharks.
  • A large species: most Argentine fish are large juveniles and sub-adults, but the species reaches 3.3 m (about 11 ft) at full size.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Argentine waters; found along the entire Atlantic coastline, with documented concentrations in north Patagonia.
  • Bahía Anegada (Anegada Bay) in Buenos Aires Province is a documented aggregation site, particularly for large juveniles and sub-adults.
  • Uses a wide depth range — from shallow estuaries and bays to offshore waters over 100 m deep — but tends to work coastal zones during its Argentine residency.
  • Tolerates brackish conditions; can enter estuaries and river mouths as well as open coastal waters.

Key Locations

  • Bahía Anegada, Buenos Aires Province — the best-documented aggregation site in Argentina, especially for juveniles and sub-adults from January through March.
  • North Patagonia coastline — the subject of dedicated reproductive and population research; a known seasonal concentration area.
  • Argentine Atlantic coast broadly — the species is present from October to late March along the full coastal stretch.

Specific Spots

  • Shallow bays and estuaries concentrate juveniles and sub-adults; Anegada Bay is the best-documented example in Argentina.
  • Feeding activity tends to occur lower in the water column, so bait presented near the bottom or mid-water gets more attention than surface presentations.
  • Aggregations form around baitfish concentrations — find schools of mullet, anchovies, or sardines and copper sharks are likely nearby.

Copper Shark FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Copper Shark?

Fresh whole or cut fish bait, sardines, mullet, anchovies, is the most reliable approach, fished on the bottom or suspended under a float in the strike zone.

When is the best time to fish for Copper Shark?

Spring (October–November): fish arrive inshore as water temperatures rise; early-season fish are often scattered along the coast. Summer (December–February): peak season; aggregations form in bays like Anegada, females are present in higher numbers at inshore sites.

How do you catch Copper Shark?

Most Argentine anglers target copper sharks from shore or small boats using heavy bait rigs with fresh fish or squid on the bottom.

What do Copper Shark eat?

Squid and cuttlefish are primary targets; heavy, scented squid baits on the bottom are a standard starting point for shore and boat anglers.

Where do Copper Shark live?

Native to Argentine waters; found along the entire Atlantic coastline, with documented concentrations in north Patagonia. Bahía Anegada (Anegada Bay) in Buenos Aires Province is a documented aggregation site, particularly for large juveniles and sub-adults.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Copper Shark.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Copper Shark water

    Pick Copper Shark and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Copper Shark

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Copper Shark are.

Open the map, filter by Copper Shark, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.