Species guide

Bull Shark Fishing

Bull sharks live in estuarine, nearshore and offshore waters of both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. The minimum size to keep one is 54 inches fork length in state and federal waters.

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Bull Shark

Every charter here names bull shark on its own website, checked on the captain's own site

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. Seasons and limits are set state by state. The ones on this page are Florida's, copied from FWC and NOAA Fisheries in Sep 2026 and listed with their source at the foot of the page. We are not a regulatory authority. Confirm the rule for the water you will fish with your captain or with that state's wildlife agency.

Where to fish for bull shark

158 charters name bull shark on their own website, across 72 towns in 1 state.

State records for bull shark

The heaviest bull shark each state has certified, biggest first.

StateWeightWhereYearAngler
Florida 517.44 lb Panama City Beach 1981 Gregory K. Burnettsource
Texas 515 lb Aransas Bay 2007 Randall Rickersonsource
Alabama 494.5 lb — 2024 Tommy J. Bowyersource
South Carolina 477.75 lb Stono Inlet 1985 C. R. Faustsource
Georgia 455 lb — 1978 Mark Noblesource
Mississippi 377.25 lb — 2021 David Roderssource

Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.

About the fish

SizeUp to about 10 to 11 feet
Where it livesEstuaries, nearshore and offshore waters on both coasts
What it eatsA versatile, opportunistic feeder

From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.

Which rules apply to your trip

  • In state waters you do not need the federal HMS vessel permit to fish for or keep sharks. If you fish from an HMS-permitted boat, you must comply with the permit requirements in both state and federal waters.
  • If you plan to target or keep sharks from shore, including jetties, bridges and piers, anglers 16 and older need to pass FWC's online course and get the no-cost shore-based shark fishing permit, renewed every year. The permit is not required when fishing for sharks from a vessel.
  • Circle hooks (non-offset, non-stainless steel) are required with natural bait.

Harvest rules

When can you keep one in Florida?

Bull shark, Florida state waters

Florida state waters, Gulf and Atlantic.

  • All anglersHarvestableFWC lists bull shark as a harvestable shark.
54 inches fork lengthSize limit
1 shark per person per dayDaily limit. No more than 2 sharks per vessel.

Bull shark, federal waters

Federal waters, under NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic shark 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 bull shark

How big does a bull shark have to be?

54 inches fork length, in state and federal waters.

How many can we keep?

In state waters, 1 per person and no more than 2 per boat. In federal waters, 1 shark per vessel per trip.

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