School Shark
School shark turn up throughout New Zealand's coastal waters, from Northland to the subantarctic islands, and are one of the more regularly encountered shark species from both boat and shore.
They're a legitimate target for land-based anglers working sandy or muddy ground, and commercial fishers take them under quota.
Most recreational anglers encounter them incidentally, but in northern Northland they're present in numbers worth targeting deliberately.
Scientific Name: Galeorhinus galeus
Also known as Tope, Greyboy, Greyshark, Flake, Tupere
- Pale brownish-grey on top, white underneath, with a slender body and a distinctively flag-shaped upper tail lobe — the clearest ID feature.
- Pointed, translucent snout; no dorsal spines (unlike spiny dogfish). Juveniles show black tips on the dorsal fins and upper tail lobe.
- Typical fish run 1.4–1.8 m and 5–15 kg; maximum length around 1.9 m.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found throughout New Zealand waters from the Three Kings Islands in the north to the Campbell Islands in the south, across the continental shelf and slope.
- In summer, moves inshore into shallow coastal waters; in winter, retreats offshore to depths up to 800 m.
- Spends most of its time near the seafloor — a bottom-oriented species that only occasionally comes near the surface.
- Particularly abundant inshore in the North Island during spring and summer, over sand and mud bottoms.
Key Locations
- Northern Northland — large numbers over sand and mud inshore, particularly accessible to land-based anglers.
- North Island coastal waters generally — the most consistent inshore distribution during spring and summer.
- Continental shelf waters nationwide — the full range extends from Three Kings to the subantarctic Campbell Islands.
Specific Spots
- Sandy and muddy bottom ground — school sharks patrol these areas feeding on small fish and squid, so flat inshore ground near channels or drop-offs is worth working.
- Inshore reefs and headlands in northern Northland hold fish in numbers during the warmer months; land-based anglers fishing these areas encounter them regularly.
- Deeper offshore ground along the continental shelf edge in winter, where fish move once water temperatures drop inshore.
School Shark FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for School Shark?
Fresh cut bait is the go-to: squid, mackerel, kahawai, or other oily fish presented on a running ledger rig on the bottom. Whole small fish or large squid heads on a circle hook reduce gut-hooking and make release easier, worth considering given the species' conservation status.
When is the best time to fish for School Shark?
Spring and summer (September–February): fish move inshore and are most accessible to shore and boat anglers. Autumn (March–May): fish begin moving offshore as water cools; catches from inshore ground taper off. Winter (June–August): fish are largely offshore in deep water and much harder to target recreationally.
How do you catch School Shark?
Most recreational anglers encounter school shark while bottom fishing from shore or boat with cut bait. In northern Northland, anglers specifically target them over sandy and muddy inshore ground during the warmer months. Boat anglers working the continental shelf can find them year-round at varying depths.
What do School Shark eat?
Feeds on small fish and cephalopods (squid and octopus). Fresh cut bait, squid, mackerel, kahawai, fished on the bottom is the standard approach, matching what they're already hunting.
Where do School Shark live?
Found throughout New Zealand waters from the Three Kings Islands in the north to the Campbell Islands in the south, across the continental shelf and slope. In summer, moves inshore into shallow coastal waters; in winter, retreats offshore to depths up to 800 m.
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