Gummy Shark
The gummy shark is the backbone of southern Australia's recreational shark fishery and the fish behind most of the 'flake' sold at fish-and-chip shops from Victoria to WA.
Endemic to Australian waters, gummies range from the surf beaches and shallow bays of the south coast to offshore continental shelf grounds, giving shore-based and boat anglers alike a realistic shot at a solid fish.
Scientific Name: Mustelus antarcticus
Also known as Flake, Sweet William, Australian smooth hound, smooth dog-shark, gummy
- Slender grey to grey-brown body with scattered white spots along the back and upper sides; pale silvery-white belly — the spots are the quickest field ID against school shark.
- Two dorsal fins of nearly equal size; blunt, rounded snout with large nostrils — noticeably different from the pointed snout of most other sharks you'll encounter inshore.
- Teeth are flat, plate-like, and arranged in a pavement pattern — no cutting edges, which is how the fish crushes crabs and shellfish and how it got its name.
- Grows to around 1.75 m and just under 25 kg; females run larger than males. A fish over 15 kg from the surf or a bay is a serious result.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Endemic to Australia — found from Geraldton in south-western WA, around the entire southern coast including Tasmania and Bass Strait, up to northern NSW and into southern Queensland.
- Works across a wide depth range: shallow sand flats and estuaries in a metre or two of water right through to continental shelf grounds at 80 m, occasionally deeper to 400 m.
- Bays and inlets — Port Phillip Bay, Westernport Bay, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent — hold significant populations and are the most accessible grounds for recreational anglers.
- Also found on open ocean beaches with deep gutters along the southern coast, particularly in Victoria and SA, where surf fishing at night is a well-established approach.
Key Locations
- Port Phillip Bay and Westernport Bay, Victoria — the most heavily fished recreational gummy grounds in Australia, accessible by boat and kayak.
- Southern surf beaches within 90 minutes of Melbourne — deep gutters on open ocean beaches produce gummies at night through the cooler months.
- Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent, South Australia — sheltered gulf waters with extensive sandy bottom and strong tidal flow hold good numbers of fish.
- North-west Tasmania and the Tasmanian east coast — productive boat and shore grounds with a year-round open season.
- South-west Western Australia from Geraldton to the Great Australian Bight — the western edge of the species' range, contributing around 10% of the national recreational and commercial catch.
Specific Spots
- Deep gutters and holes on ocean beaches concentrate gummies at night — the trough holds water when the surrounding sand dries out at low tide, giving sharks a travel lane close to shore.
- Tidal channels and the edges of mud flats in bays like Westernport and Port Phillip: gummies follow the tide up onto the flats to feed on crabs, then drop back into the channels as water recedes.
- Sand and shell-grit bottom adjacent to reef or rock structure on offshore grounds — gummies cruise these transition zones hunting crustaceans and cephalopods rather than sitting tight to hard structure.
- From a boat, working the run-out tide over known sandy ground near channel edges is consistently productive; from shore, the run-in tide and high water push fish shallowest.
Gummy Shark FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Gummy Shark?
Fresh or fresh-frozen squid, whole or in large chunks, is the most consistent bait across all grounds and all methods; the scent carries well in tidal flow and the bait stays on the hook in surf conditions.
When is the best time to fish for Gummy Shark?
Productive year-round in most southern Australian waters, with no closed recreational season in most states. Autumn and winter (March–August) are peak periods for surf fishing along the Victorian and SA coast, cooler water pushes fish into accessible gutters and the longer nights extend the prime feeding window.
How do you catch Gummy Shark?
Most anglers fish gummies from a boat at anchor over sandy bottom on a running sinker rig, working tidal movement rather than covering ground. Shore-based fishing from surf beaches at night, casting into deep gutters on the run-in tide, is a well-established and productive alternative, particularly in Victoria and SA.
What do Gummy Shark eat?
Crabs and other crustaceans are the primary food, those flat teeth are built for crushing shells, not cutting flesh. Fresh crab, squid, and octopus are the go-to baits because they match what gummies are already hunting on the bottom. Cephalopods (squid and octopus) and occasionally bony fish round out the diet.
Where do Gummy Shark live?
Endemic to Australia, found from Geraldton in south-western WA, around the entire southern coast including Tasmania and Bass Strait, up to northern NSW and into southern Queensland.
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