Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark Fishing in Florida

Blacktip sharks are active, fast-swimming sharks that may leap out of the water, common in Florida's coastal waters, bays and estuaries. In state waters there's no minimum size; in federal waters it's 54 inches fork length.

Florida rules from FWC and NOAA Fisheries, checked Sep 2026

Check before you keep a fish. Seasons and limits change, sometimes in the middle of a season, and a court or an agency can change them overnight. Everything here was copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and is listed with its source at the bottom of this page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the current rule with your captain or with FWC before you keep a fish.

Florida state record

  • 152.13 lb Sebastian · October 29, 1987 · Darlene Rees

From FWC Florida Saltwater Fishing Records (All-Tackle), checked Sep 2026. Records are certified by FWC and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to about 6.5 feet
Where it livesCoastal waters, bays and estuaries
What it eatsMainly fish, plus small sharks, rays, squid, crabs and lobster

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • In state waters FWC's shark rules apply and no federal permit is needed. A boat that holds an HMS permit must follow the federal rules in state waters too.
  • To target or keep sharks from shore (including jetties, bridges and piers), anyone 16 or older must pass FWC's online shark course and hold its no-cost shore-based shark fishing permit, renewed each year. It is not required when fishing from a vessel.
  • Circle hooks (non-offset, non-stainless steel) are required with natural bait.

Blacktip, Florida state waters: when you can keep one

Florida state waters.

  • All anglersHarvestable; FWC lists no seasonFWC lists blacktip as a harvestable shark.
No minimum sizeSize limit
1 shark per person per dayDaily limit. No more than 2 sharks per vessel.

Blacktip, federal waters: when you can keep one

Federal waters, under NOAA Fisheries rules.

  • Vessels with an HMS permit and shark endorsementOpenNOAA Fisheries.
54 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 shark per vessel per tripDaily limit. The vessel needs an HMS permit with a shark endorsement.

Questions about blacktip shark

Is there a size limit on blacktip sharks?

Not in Florida state waters, unless you are on a vessel with a federal HMS permit, which must follow federal requirements there too. In federal waters the minimum is 54 inches fork length.

How many can we keep?

In state waters, 1 per person and no more than 2 per boat (a vessel with a federal HMS permit must follow federal requirements there too). In federal waters, 1 shark total per vessel per trip across blacktip, bull, spinner, tiger and the other sharks in that group.

Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, shark regulations and NOAA Fisheries, recreational Atlantic sharks and FWC, blacktip shark profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.