Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Exempt from size limit; each angler may keep 1 in addition to the one-shark vessel limit.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
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 ask4
What is the size limit for bonnethead in Virginia?
No size limit.
How many bonnethead can you keep in Virginia?
1 per person per trip (in addition to shark vessel limit). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is bonnethead season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
How current is this Virginia bonnethead 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.
In the appPoint the camera at a bonnethead in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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