Bonnetheadin North Carolina
Sphyrna tiburo
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for bonnethead, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
Own per-person allowance in addition to the 1-shark vessel aggregate. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required.
NOAA HMS 2026· checked Open
How to tell it
Shovel-shaped rounded hammer — the small, friendly-looking hammerhead. More on the bonnethead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Bonnethead in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a bonnethead in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appBonnethead in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for bonnethead in North Carolina?
No size limit.
How many bonnethead can you keep in North Carolina?
1 per person per trip (separate from the vessel shark limit).
When is bonnethead season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
How current is this North Carolina bonnethead rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 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.