Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed May 15 - Jul 15; circle hooks required with bait; head and fins must stay attached.
VMRC 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.
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
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 Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many blacktip shark can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is blacktip shark season in Virginia?
Open year-round except May 15 - Jul 15. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Virginia record blacktip shark?
76 lb 10 oz, Off Virginia Beach (1988).
How current is this Virginia blacktip shark rule?
Source: VMRC 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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