SlotGaugeCheck a catchHammerhead Sharks regulations in Georgia
Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season
Hammerhead Sharks size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| GA state waters (to 3 nm) | Open year-round | 78 inch minimum | 1 shark per angler or per boat, whichever is less (shared with all other non-SSC sharks) |
| Federal waters (3–200 nm) | Open year-round | 78 inch minimum | Federal HMS rules apply — see NOAA |
Notes
- Great, scalloped and smooth hammerheads must be at least 78 inches fork length — much bigger than the 54-inch rule for other sharks.
- Only one shark (of any non-small-shark-composite species) per angler or per boat, whichever is less.
- Hook and line only, with non-offset non-stainless circle hooks unless using flies or artificial lures. Land the shark with head and fins intact.
- Federal rules also apply: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-minimum-sizes-and-bag-limits
Exact Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division wording
- Season
- All year (printed in the shark block with 'Sharks (other than Hammerheads, SSC and Prohibited Sharks)' — 1 per angler or boat, whichever is less)
- Size
- 78 inch fork length
- Limit
- 1 per angler or boat, whichever is less
- GA state waters (to 3 nm) — as printed
- “Hammerhead Sharks (Great, Scalloped, and Smooth)A | 78 FL”
Source: Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the hammerhead sharks
Species of shark
The scalloped hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads.
Read more about Scalloped hammerhead on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Hammerhead Sharks in Georgia?
78 inch minimum in Georgia state waters.
How many Hammerhead Sharks can you keep per day in Georgia?
1 shark per angler or per boat, whichever is less (shared with all other non-SSC sharks).
When is Hammerhead Sharks season in Georgia?
Open year-round.
Is my Hammerhead Sharks a keeper today?
A hammerhead sharks is a keeper today if it measures at least 78 inches, with a daily limit of 1.