Great hammerheadin North Carolina
Sphyrna mokarran
The rule in North Carolina
Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species). North Carolina lists no rule of its own for great hammerhead, so the council's rule applies in state waters too.
May not be retained if a swordfish, tuna, or billfish is on board. HMS Angling permit with shark endorsement required; non-offset circle hooks required with natural bait.
Counts toward an aggregate limit: Shark: 1 per vessel per trip aggregate.
Measured as fork length (FL): snout to the fork of the tail.
NOAA HMS 2026· checked Open
North Carolina state record
710 lb, Jennette's Ocean Pier, 1961. NCDMF State Saltwater Records · checked 2026-08-23. state lists an unspecified 'Hammerhead' — great hammerhead per Patrick's 8/23 ruling
How to tell it
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Great hammerhead in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a great hammerhead in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appGreat hammerhead in North Carolina: the questions
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in North Carolina?
78" FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in North Carolina?
1 shark per vessel per trip — all authorized sharks combined. It counts toward an aggregate: Shark: 1 per vessel per trip aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in North Carolina?
Year-round.
What is the North Carolina record great hammerhead?
710 lb, Jennette's Ocean Pier (1961).
How current is this North Carolina great hammerhead 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.