SlotGaugeCheck a catchBonnethead Shark regulations in South Carolina
Sharks · Saltwater · 2026 season
Bonnethead Shark size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | No size limit printed | 1 per person per day |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | No size limit printed | 1 per person per day |
Notes
- Rod & reel or handline only; non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required with natural bait.
- Land with fins, head and tail naturally attached.
- In federal waters (beyond 3 mi) you need a federal HMS Angling permit with a shark endorsement.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- Open year-round (no closed season printed)
- Size
- None
- Limit
- 1 per person per day
- SC state waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “Bonnethead | | 1 per person per day | |”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).
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About the bonnethead shark
Species of shark
The bonnethead, also called a bonnet shark or shovelhead, is the smallest member of the hammerhead shark genus Sphyrna, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. It is an abundant species in the littoral zone of the North Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, is the only shark species known to display sexual dimorphism in the morphology of the head, and is one of two shark species known to be omnivorous.
Read more about Bonnethead on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bonnethead Shark in South Carolina?
No size limit printed in South Carolina state waters.
How many Bonnethead Shark can you keep per day in South Carolina?
1 per person per day.
When is Bonnethead Shark season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bonnethead Shark a keeper today?
Bonnethead Shark has no size limit today, with a daily limit of 1.