Texas state waters, out to 9 miles
Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
TPWD 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Bull sharkBroader snout, no ridge between dorsals. 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
Very tall first dorsal starting over the pectorals; high back ridge; stocky gray-brown body. More on the sandbar shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask3
Can you keep sandbar shark in Texas?
No. Harvest is prohibited in Texas. Release it in the water where you can. Catch and release only; on TPWD prohibited-shark list.
What is the Texas record sandbar shark?
226 lb, Gulf of America (1975).
How current is this Texas sandbar 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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