South Carolina state waters, out to 3 miles
Circle-hook, gear, and fins-attached rules apply to all sharks.
SC DNR 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
South Carolina state record
SCDNR Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-08-23
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.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for bonnethead in South Carolina?
No size limit.
How many bonnethead can you keep in South Carolina?
1 per person per day. Counts toward the Small coastal sharks aggregate.
When is bonnethead season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
What is the South Carolina record bonnethead?
27 lb 11 oz, Charleston (2005).
How current is this South Carolina bonnethead 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 bonnethead in South Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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