Texas state waters, out to 9 miles
Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required when fishing for sharks in state waters.
TPWD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkLarger, black-tipped fins, no white spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · checked 2026-08-23
How to tell it
Small (under 4 ft), white spots on gray back, long labial furrows at the mouth corners. More on the Atlantic sharpnose shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic sharpnose shark in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic sharpnose shark in Texas?
24 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many Atlantic sharpnose shark can you keep in Texas?
1 (all sharks combined, any combination). Counts toward the Sharks aggregate.
When is Atlantic sharpnose shark season in Texas?
Open year-round.
What is the Texas record Atlantic sharpnose shark?
18.1 lb, Gulf of America (2022).
How current is this Texas Atlantic sharpnose shark rule?
Source: TPWD 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.
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