Broadnose Sevengill (Cow Shark)
Notorynchus cepedianus
Also known as: Cow shark, sevengill, spotted cow shark
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
A primitive seven-gilled shark of kelp reefs and bays — a heavy, dogged fight rather than blistering runs.
Field guide
Broad head, seven gill slits (not five), grey with dark spots.
Kelp reefs, bays and deeper inshore water
Common 30-100 kg
Scavenger-predator on fish, sharks, seals and rays
Powerful, sustained runs and dogged head-shaking — big fish test heavy tackle and your stamina rather than jumping.
Other cow sharks (rare)
How to catch Broadnose Sevengill (Cow Shark)
Heavy rock/boat outfit, heavy mono trace
Large baitrunner spinning reel (8000–14000) or a 6/0–9/0 conventional with 300 m+ line capacity and a strong, smooth drag.
0.50–0.70 mm mono or 50–80 lb braid for the mainline.
8/0–12/0 non-stainless circle hooks (rust out if a deep-hooked fish is released).
1.5–2 m of 100–300 lb mono trace; multi-strand wire or cable for toothy sharks.
Fish baits, tuna, mackerel
When to catch Broadnose Sevengill (Cow Shark)
Dusk and after dark
Feeds hard on moving water, especially the push and after dark; spring tides and a warm current switch them on.
Any moon; often near dusk
Most active in warmer water, roughly 18–23 °C, especially when bait shoals are inshore.
🥅 Landing
On the beach, use the swash to slide the fish onto wet sand; from rocks, lead it to a safe gulley. Never gaff a shark you plan to release.
♻️ Release
Keep it in the water, support the body, remove the hook with a de-hooker or cut the trace close, then revive it upright facing the current until it swims off strongly.
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