Ragged-tooth Shark
The ragged-tooth shark — "raggie" to every South African angler — is the backbone of the country's shore-based shark fishery.
Found along the eastern and southern coasts from False Bay to KwaZulu-Natal, raggies draw dedicated land-based anglers who target them from beaches and river mouths, particularly in the Eastern Cape.
Their size, weight, and the sheer spectacle of their teeth make them a bucket-list catch.
Scientific Name: Carcharias taurus
Also known as Raggie, Spotted ragged-tooth shark
- Plump, dark-brown to olive-grey body with a pale underbelly and numerous dark spots that fade with age; grows to around 3.2m and up to 300kg.
- The signature feature: long, pointed, needle-like teeth that protrude visibly even when the mouth is closed — an unmistakable ID marker at any size.
- Two dorsal fins of nearly equal size, thick rounded fins, and an underdeveloped lower tail lobe — built for slow cruising, not speed.
- Forehead slopes sharply down to a pointed snout; body is noticeably bulkier than most other coastal sharks of similar length.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to South African waters; commonly found along the east and south coasts from False Bay around to northern KwaZulu-Natal, with occasional sightings on the west coast.
- Primarily a shallow coastal species — reefs, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and river mouths from the surf zone down to around 190m, though most encounters happen in the shallows.
- Juveniles and pups regularly enter estuaries, using them as nursery habitat to avoid larger predators.
- Pregnant females migrate north into warmer KZN waters to gestate, then return to the cooler Eastern Cape to give birth — making the Eastern Cape a key pupping ground.
Key Locations
- Kariega River Mouth (Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape) — a well-known shore-angling spot for juvenile raggies and pups during the warmer months.
- Jeffreys Bay area (Eastern Cape) — known as a pupping ground where large females come to give birth.
- Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) coast — consistently produces big raggies on bait, with yellowtail baits particularly effective here.
- Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks (KwaZulu-Natal) — major aggregation reefs where raggies gather in large numbers during the winter mating season.
Specific Spots
- River mouths and estuary channels — juveniles concentrate here, especially during warmer months; a short cast into the channel is often enough.
- Shallow reefs along the Eastern Cape and KZN coast, where raggies hover just above the bottom, slow-patrolling for prey.
- Sandy gutters and troughs behind the surf break — raggies cruise these lanes at night searching for fish and rays.
- Reef aggregation sites like Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks hold large numbers during the winter mating season, making them prime spots for divers and boat anglers alike.
Ragged-tooth Shark FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Ragged-tooth Shark?
Fresh oily fish baits are the go-to: yellowtail heads, yellowtail fillets, and sand shark gills have all produced big raggies in the Eastern Cape, freshness and scent matter more than presentation.
When is the best time to fish for Ragged-tooth Shark?
Warmer months (roughly August through April) see juveniles and pups move into river mouths and the surf zone along the Eastern Cape, making shore fishing most productive.
How do you catch Ragged-tooth Shark?
Most South African anglers target raggies from the shore, beaches, river mouths, and rocky points, using fresh fish baits fished on the bottom at night. Boat anglers work shallow reefs along the Eastern Cape and KZN coasts.
What do Ragged-tooth Shark eat?
Primarily bony fish, yellowtail heads and fillets are a proven bait in the Eastern Cape and Port Elizabeth area, where big raggies have shown a clear preference for oily, substantial fish baits over other options.
Where do Ragged-tooth Shark live?
Native to South African waters; commonly found along the east and south coasts from False Bay around to northern KwaZulu-Natal, with occasional sightings on the west coast.
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