South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Spinner sharkBlack tip ON the anal fin, longer snout. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Black-tipped fins but a plain (unmarked) anal fin; pointed snout; Z-shaped lateral line. More on the blacktip shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for blacktip shark in South Carolina?
54 in fork length. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blacktip shark can you keep in South Carolina?
1 shark per vessel per trip. Counts toward the Allowed sharks (54-in FL group) aggregate.
When is blacktip shark season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record blacktip shark?
163 lb 14 oz, Hilton Head (2009).
How current is this South Carolina blacktip shark rule?
Source: SC DNR 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a blacktip shark in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app