Atlantic sharpnose sharkin Florida (Gulf)
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
The rule in Florida (Gulf)
Florida (Gulf)’s own rule for Atlantic sharpnose shark in state waters, out to 9 nautical miles.
Circle hooks required with natural bait; shore-based shark permit required.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Shark daily limit (all species combined).
FWC 2026· checked Open
Often mistaken for, and their Florida (Gulf) rules
Keep the wrong fish and the rule that applies is the other one’s.
| Fish | Size | Bag | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic sharpnose sharkThis page. | No size limit | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
| Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots.Tell them apart | No size limit | 1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel | Open year-round |
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states
In the app
Point the camera at an Atlantic sharpnose shark in Florida (Gulf) and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appAtlantic sharpnose shark in Florida (Gulf): the questions
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Florida (Gulf)?
No size limit.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Florida (Gulf)?
1 shark per person per day; max 2 per vessel. It counts toward an aggregate: Shark daily limit (all species combined).
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Florida (Gulf)?
Open year-round.
How current is this Florida (Gulf) Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: FWC 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.