Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Listed as 'Thresher' on the VA permitted list; not in the May 15 - Jul 15 closure list.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Virginia state record
VMRC Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 2025 brochure · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
The tail's upper lobe is as long as the body — the whip is the whole ID. More on the common thresher page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for common thresher in Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many common thresher can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is common thresher season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
What is the Virginia record common thresher?
525 lb, Triangle Wrecks (2004).
How current is this Virginia common thresher 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 common thresher in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the app