Florida Shark Fishing Regulations: Permits, Rules & What You Need to Know

Permitted up and ready to fish? See our complete beach shark fishing gear list for the rod, reel, leader, and safety setup we run on every Pensacola guided trip.

Written by Dylan and Blaine, founders of Coastal Worldwide. Pensacola's premier beach shark fishing guide

Before you set foot on the beach with a shark rod, you need to know the rules. Florida has some of the most detailed shark fishing regulations in the country, and they're enforced. Ignorance isn't a defense. FWC officers patrol Gulf Coast beaches regularly, and fines for violations can run into the thousands.

As a Pensacola Beach shark fishing guide, I walk every client through these regulations before we fish. This guide covers everything you need to stay legal and fish responsibly in Florida waters.

Do You Need a Permit to Shark Fish From the Beach in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires a free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit for anyone fishing for sharks from shore, beach, pier, jetty, bridge, or causeway. This applies to all anglers age 16 and older, including those 65+ who are normally exempt from a standard fishing license.

To get the permit, you must complete the online Shark-Smart Fishing course at MyFWC.com/SharkCourse. The course has four modules covering shark biology, conservation, safe handling, and current regulations. You'll take a test at the end that requires a perfect score to pass. The permit is free and must be renewed annually.

You'll also need a valid Florida saltwater fishing license 

What Sharks Can You Keep in Florida?

Florida divides harvestable sharks into two groups with different size requirements:

Group 1. No Minimum Size (8 Species)

Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound, and Gulf smoothhound. These are the most common species you'll encounter on beach shark fishing trips along the Gulf Coast.

Group 2, 54-Inch Fork Length Minimum (7 Species)

Bull, nurse, spinner, blue, oceanic whitetip, porbeagle, and common thresher sharks must measure at least 54 inches from the nose to the fork of the tail to keep.

Bag and Vessel Limits

The daily bag limit is 1 shark per person per day, with a maximum of 2 sharks per vessel regardless of how many anglers are aboard. All retained sharks must remain in whole condition with heads, tails, and fins attached until landed.

Prohibited Shark Species in Florida

Florida prohibits the harvest of 29 shark species. These sharks must remain in the water with their gills submerged at all times and must be released without delay. The prohibited list includes many species commonly encountered while fishing with natural bait from the beach:

• Hammerheads: Great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, and smooth hammerhead, all three species are prohibited
• Tiger shark, one of the most common large sharks in Gulf Coast surf
• Lemon shark
• Great white shark
• Shortfin mako, also has a zero retention limit in federal waters
• Dusky shark
• Sandbar shark
• Whale shark
• Basking shark
• Sawfish, federally endangered; release immediately and cut the line close to the hook if you cannot safely remove it
• Giant manta ray, federally threatened; do not handle, cut line close to the hook

This is not the complete list, there are 29 prohibited species total. If you're not 100% certain of the species identification, the safest approach is to release the shark. On our guided trips, we practice catch-and-release for all species.

Required Gear for Shark Fishing in Florida

Florida law mandates specific gear when targeting sharks:

• Circle hooks required: You must use non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks when targeting or harvesting sharks with live or dead natural bait. No J-hooks, no treble hooks. This applies whether you're fishing from shore or a vessel.
• Line cutter required: You must possess a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook. This is for safely releasing sharks, especially prohibited species that cannot be removed from the water.
• No stainless steel hooks: Hooks must be non-stainless so they corrode and fall out if a shark is released with the hook still in place.
• Flatten barbs: Hook barbs should be flattened for easier hook removal and safer releases.

For a complete breakdown of what gear to use, see our guide to shark fishing rigs.

Shore-Based Shark Fishing Rules

Beyond the permit requirement, shore-based shark anglers in Florida must follow additional rules:

• No chumming from the beach: Chumming is prohibited when fishing for any species from the beach. This includes throwing chunks of bait into the water to attract sharks. Your deployed bait is your only attractant.
• Prohibited species stay in the water: If you hook a prohibited species (hammerhead, tiger, lemon, etc.), it must remain in the water with gills submerged at all times. You cannot drag it onto the beach for a photo.
• Release without delay: Prohibited species must be released as quickly as possible. Extended fight times and prolonged handling increase mortality.
• Pier and bridge rules: If you hook a large shark from a pier or bridge, you cannot lift it onto the structure. You must walk it to the base of the structure before attempting hook removal.

Best Practices for Catch and Release

Even for harvestable species, most serious shark anglers practice catch and release. Here's how to do it right, and how we handle every shark on our Navarre Beach and Fort Morgan trips:

• Fight time matters: Land the shark as quickly as your gear allows. Exhausted sharks have higher post-release mortality. Use appropriately heavy tackle, our shark fishing tips guide covers gear recommendations.
• Keep gills submerged: Sharks breathe through their gills. Keep them in knee-deep water during hook removal.
• Use dehooking tools: A long-handled dehooker lets you remove the hook without putting your hands near the shark's mouth.
• Cut the leader if needed: If the hook is deep or you can't safely remove it, cut the leader as close to the hook as possible. Non-stainless hooks will corrode out.
• Revive before release: Point the shark's head into the current or gently move it forward to push water over the gills. Wait until the shark swims away under its own power.

Penalties for Violating Florida Shark Fishing Regulations

FWC takes shark fishing violations seriously. Penalties can include fines up to $500 per violation for first offenses, with repeat violations carrying higher fines and potential loss of fishing privileges. Harvesting a prohibited species like a hammerhead or great white can result in significantly steeper penalties, including potential criminal charges for endangered species.

The easiest way to avoid any issues: fish with a licensed guide who knows the regulations inside and out, or take the time to study them yourself before you fish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Shark Fishing Regulations

Is shark fishing legal in Florida?

Yes, shark fishing is legal in Florida with proper permits and gear. You need a valid saltwater fishing license and the free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit (for shore anglers). You must use non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks with natural bait, and 29 species are prohibited from harvest.

Can you shark fish from the beach in Florida?

Yes, but you must complete the free Shark-Smart Fishing course and obtain the Shore-based Shark Fishing permit first. Additional rules apply: no chumming from the beach, prohibited species must stay in the water, and specific gear requirements must be met.

What sharks are illegal to keep in Florida?

Florida prohibits keeping 29 shark species including all three hammerhead species, tiger sharks, lemon sharks, great whites, shortfin makos, dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, whale sharks, and sawfish. These must remain in the water and be released immediately.

Do you need a license to shark fish in Florida?

You need both a Florida saltwater fishing license and the free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit if fishing from shore. The permit requires completing an online course.

Can you keep a hammerhead shark in Florida?

No. All three hammerhead species, great, scalloped, and smooth, are prohibited in Florida. If you hook a hammerhead, it must remain in the water with gills submerged and be released without delay. You cannot remove it from the water for photos.

Explore Our Beach Shark Fishing Locations

Now that you know the rules, here's where we run guided shark fishing trips across the Gulf Coast:

• Shark Fishing Pensacola Beach, FL, our home water and where it all started
• Shark Fishing Gulf Shores, AL, some of the best shark populations on the entire Gulf Coast
• Shark Fishing Orange Beach, AL, clear water and active sharks just across the state line
• Shark Fishing Fort Morgan, AL, remote, undeveloped beaches loaded with sharks

Where We Fish on the Gulf Coast

Coastal Worldwide runs guided beach shark fishing trips across about 100 miles of coast, from Alabama down through the Florida panhandle. Wherever you book, you get the same gear, same guides, same beach-only experience.

Florida: shark fishing Perdido Key · shark fishing Pensacola Beach · shark fishing Navarre Beach · shark fishing Destin

Alabama: shark fishing Orange Beach · shark fishing Fort Morgan · shark fishing Gulf Shores