New Jersey state waters, out to 3 miles
Hammerhead group; 78 in fork-length minimum.
NJ DEP 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · checked 2026-09-04
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.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in New Jersey?
78 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in New Jersey?
1 shark per vessel per trip. Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel per trip) aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in New Jersey?
Jan 1 - May 14 and Jul 16 - Dec 31. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the New Jersey record great hammerhead?
365 lb, Mud Hole (1985).
How current is this New Jersey great hammerhead rule?
Source: NJ DEP 2026, last checked Sep 7, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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