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Sharks you can keep from shore in Florida + permit and gear rules

As of / last verified: October 14, 2026 against official sources · Source: FWC: Sharks: regulations, prohibited list, shore-based shark fishing

Sharks you can keep from shore in Florida: 14 species in two groups. Group 1 has no minimum size; Group 2 needs 54 inches fork length. The limit is one shark per person per day. Anglers 16 and older, including 65 and older, need the free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit and annual Shark-Smart course.

Quick answer

Keepable: 14 species in two groups (list below)
Size: Group 1: no minimum. Group 2: 54" fork length
Bag limit: 1 shark per person per day (2 per vessel)
Permits: Free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit + annual Shark-Smart course (16+, including 65+); saltwater license unless exempt
Gear: Hook and line only; non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait; cutting device

Original graphic, not to scale. Also required: the free Shore-based Shark Fishing permit (16+). Hook-gap trigger: bait deployed other than by casting with a hook 1½ in or wider. Source: FWC Sharks.

Harvestable sharks

Group	Minimum size	Species
Group 1	None	Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound, Gulf smoothhound
Group 2	54" fork length	Bull, nurse, spinner, blue, porbeagle, thresher (common)
Prohibited	n/a	Includes great, scalloped & smooth hammerhead; tiger; lemon; sandbar; dusky; sand tiger; shortfin & longfin mako; silky; oceanic whitetip; white; whale; basking; spiny dogfish and more. See FWC's full list

Prohibited sharks must stay in the water with gills submerged and be released without delay when fishing from shore.

Don't get ticketed: checklist

Pass the Shark-Smart course and get the free permit every year.
The permit is also triggered by: metal leader >4 ft, fighting belt/harness, or bait deployed other than by casting with a hook ≥1.5" wide.
Use non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks with natural bait.
Carry a tool that can quickly cut the leader or hook.
No treble or multiple hooks with natural bait.
Never drag a prohibited shark onto the sand, pier or bridge.
Keep retained sharks whole (head, tail, fins attached) until landed.
No chumming from the beach.

Permit steps

Take the free online Shark-Smart course at MyFWC.com/SharkCourse.
When finished, follow the prompt to FWC's licensing system (GoOutdoorsFlorida.com).
Add the no-cost Shore-based Shark Fishing permit (16+; required even if you are 65+).
Carry a saltwater license unless exempt. Renew the permit every year.
Under 16? Take the course unless you fish with someone who holds the permit.

Frequently asked questions

Which sharks can you keep from shore in Florida?

Group 1 (no minimum size): Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound and Gulf smoothhound. Group 2 (54-inch fork length minimum): bull, nurse, spinner, blue, porbeagle and common thresher. The limit is one shark per person per day.

Can I keep a hammerhead or tiger shark in Florida?

No. Great, scalloped and smooth hammerheads, tiger, lemon, sandbar, dusky, sand tiger, makos and many others are prohibited in state waters. They must stay in the water with gills submerged and be released without delay when fishing from shore.

Is the shore-based shark fishing permit free?

Yes. After passing FWC's online Shark-Smart course you get the Shore-based Shark Fishing permit at no cost. It must be renewed every year.

Do seniors 65+ need the shore-based shark permit?

Yes. FWC says it is required for all shore-based shark anglers 16 and older, including those 65 and older who are normally exempt from a fishing license.

Do I need the permit if I'm not targeting sharks?

You do if you fish from shore for any species while using a metal leader longer than 4 feet, a fighting belt or harness, or bait deployed other than by casting (such as by kayak) with a hook 1.5 inches or wider at the widest inside distance.

Does a pier or bridge count as shore?

Yes. FWC includes structures attached to shore such as jetties, bridges and piers.

Official sources

Last verified: October 14, 2026.

Related guides

Disclaimer: This page is a plain-English summary for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules, seasons and boundaries can change at short notice, including by emergency order. Always check the current regulations on MyFWC.com before you fish.