Spinner Shark 
Spinner Shark
Carcharhinus brevipinna
Average Weight/Length
Common from 10-50 pounds; sometimes exceeds 100 pounds. World Record is 190 pounds.
Other "Popular" Names for this Fish
Large Blacktip
Location Habitat
The open seas, sometimes enters large inlets, particularly on the Florida East Coast. Found on the continental and insular shelves from close inshore to offshore. Makes vertical spinning leaps out of the water as a feeding technique in which the sharks spins through a school of small fish with an open mouth and then breaks the surface. Feeds mainly on pelagic bony fishes, also small sharks, cuttlefish, squids, and octopi. Viviparous. Forms schools. Highly migratory off Florida and Louisiana and in the Gulf of Mexico. Regularly caught in fisheries where found
Biology & Physical Description
Because of the black-tipped fins, many anglers think the Spinner and the Blacktip are one and the same. The Spinner is more slender in shape and has a longer snout. The dorsal fin begins at a point just aft of the pectoral fin. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A slender shark with a long, narrow, pointed snout, long gill slits and small, narrow-cusped teeth; first dorsal fin small; no interdorsal ridge; labial furrows longer than in any other grey shark. Grey above, white below, with a conspicuous white band on sides; second dorsal, anal, undersides of pectorals and lower caudal-fin lobe black or dark grey-tipped in subadults and adults, but unmarked or nearly so in small individuals
Life Cycle & Mating Behavior
Viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta; bears up to 20 young; 3-15 pups (Ref.58048). Size at birth 60 to 80 cm. Distinct pairing with embrace
Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)
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Summary of Distribution: Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indo-West Pacific, warm temperate and tropical. Often referred to as Carcharhinus limbatus in the past. |
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Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org) |
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Tackle & Baits
Medium to heavy spinning tackle and light ocean gear. Live Pilchards and similar baitfish are good choices. Fresh cut baits work pretty well.
Game Rating
Game Rating : 8/10
Game Description :
Good fighter on light tackle; often gets off the high, spinning jumps that give it its name.
Food Rating
Game Rating : 8/10
Game Description :
Very Good. Utilized fresh and dried salted for human consumption. Fins probably used in the oriental shark fin trade, and livers for vitamin oil production
