Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed May 15 - Jul 15.
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
Nearly straight hammer with a center notch; towering dorsal. More on the great hammerhead page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for great hammerhead in Virginia?
78 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many great hammerhead can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is great hammerhead season in Virginia?
Open year-round except May 15 - Jul 15. As of Sep 21, 2026 it is open.
What is the Virginia record great hammerhead?
430 lb, S.E. Lumps (1984).
How current is this Virginia great hammerhead 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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