Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Not subject to the May 15 - Jul 15 species closure.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Shortfin makoNo white dorsal patch, single keel. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
Stocky cold-water mako cousin — white patch on the first dorsal's rear tip and a second small tail keel. More on the porbeagle page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask4
What is the size limit for porbeagle in Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many porbeagle can you keep in Virginia?
1 per vessel per trip (all permitted sharks combined). Counts toward the Sharks (1 per vessel) aggregate.
When is porbeagle season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
How current is this Virginia porbeagle 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 porbeagle in Virginia and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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