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
Texas state record
TPWD State Records (Saltwater, Rod & Reel) · 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 Texas?
24 in total length. Measured as total length: snout to the tip of the tail, tail lobes squeezed together.
How many bonnethead can you keep in Texas?
1 (all sharks combined, any combination). Counts toward the Sharks aggregate.
When is bonnethead season in Texas?
Open year-round.
What is the Texas record bonnethead?
24.3 lb, Gulf of America (2004).
How current is this Texas bonnethead 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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