Virginia state waters, out to 3 miles
Closed May 15 - Jul 15.
VMRC 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Blacktip sharkAnal fin is plain, snout shorter. 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 tips on every fin including the anal; long pointed snout; spins on the strike. More on the spinner shark page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for spinner shark in Virginia?
54 in FL min. Measured as fork length: snout to the fork of the tail.
How many spinner 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 spinner 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 spinner shark?
129 lb 8 oz, Off Chincoteague (1991).
How current is this Virginia spinner 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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