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Common Thresher Shark

Alopias vulpinus

Montauk canyon edge

Common Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) — Alopias vulpinus · Photo: Steve Momot (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identified by an extraordinarily long upper tail lobe used to stun schooling fish. Seasonal visitor to the Montauk canyon edge.

Best months

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Best time of day: Offshore
How to see: Tag-and-release charter from Montauk.
Operator: Local captains
Cost: $1500+ charter
Age: 12+
Accessibility: Not accessible
Responsible viewing: Catch-and-release; NOAA HMS rules.
Weather / sea state: Offshore < 4 ft.

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