Sevengill Shark
The broadnose sevengill is the big shark of South Island surf fishing. Growing past 100 kg, it's the species that dominates the land-based scene from Canterbury south, where anglers target it from beaches and rocky headlands on heavy surfcasting gear.
Most are caught incidentally at first, then deliberately once you've felt one run. Catch and release is the norm — they're poor eating but survive release well.
Scientific Name: Notorynchus cepedianus
Also known as Broadnose sevengill, cowshark, sevengill cowshark
- Seven gill slits on each side — most sharks have five — making this the easiest ID feature at a glance.
- Broad, flattened head with a blunt snout; single dorsal fin set far back near the tail rather than mid-body.
- Pale silver-grey to brown on top, white underneath, with scattered small black spots across the body.
- Females reach nearly 3 m and can exceed 100 kg; males are noticeably smaller, maturing around 1.5–1.8 m.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Found around the New Zealand coastline but most common in the South Island, where it's a regular surf catch from Canterbury to Southland.
- A coastal, bottom-oriented shark that works shallow bays, sandy beaches, rocky headlands and estuarine margins — typically within 46 m depth.
- Moves inshore on high tides and retreats to deeper water on the drop; juveniles push into very shallow water close to shore.
- Strongly seasonal in southern New Zealand inshore habitats — detected on the vast majority of summer survey trips, absent in winter.
Key Locations
- South Island surf beaches from Canterbury southward — the heartland of New Zealand sevengill fishing, where they're a primary target species for land-based anglers.
- Southland and Otago coastlines — rocky headlands and sandy bays in this region produce consistent summer catches.
- Fiordland coastal margins — sharks including sevengills are noted in this remote southwestern corner of the South Island.
Specific Spots
- Sandy surf beaches and rocky points in the South Island — the same ground that produces rig and elephantfish also holds sevengills.
- Tidal channels and bay margins where baitfish and rays concentrate; sevengills follow food rather than holding tight to structure.
- High-tide gutters and deeper holes off the beach — fish move in as water rises and pull back as it drops, so timing the tide matters more than finding a specific rock or snag.
Sevengill Shark FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Sevengill Shark?
Fresh whole or chunked oily fish, kahawai, mackerel, or similar, is the go-to bait. The scent trail does the work; bigger baits attract bigger fish. Rays and other sharks are natural prey, so large cut baits from these species are also used by experienced South Island shark anglers when available.
When is the best time to fish for Sevengill Shark?
Summer (December–March) is peak season in southern New Zealand inshore waters, research confirms sharks present on the vast majority of survey trips during this period. Autumn (April–May) sees numbers thinning as water cools and fish move offshore.
How do you catch Sevengill Shark?
South Island anglers fish sevengills almost exclusively from the beach or rocky headlands using heavy surfcasting gear, casting large oily baits into gutters and channels on the incoming tide.
What do Sevengill Shark eat?
Eats bony fish, rays, other sharks, chimaeras (including elephantfish), and will take carrion, a wide-ranging predator that responds well to large, oily baits. Fresh, whole or chunked fish bait is the standard approach: mackerel, kahawai, or any oily species cast into likely ground.
Where do Sevengill Shark live?
Found around the New Zealand coastline but most common in the South Island, where it's a regular surf catch from Canterbury to Southland. A coastal, bottom-oriented shark that works shallow bays, sandy beaches, rocky headlands and estuarine margins, typically within 46 m depth.
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