What Types of Shark Can We Catch in Florida?

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During our Shark Fishing Charters in Florida, we can catch a wide variety of sharks on any given day or night. If you’re looking for a specific dream catch, we’ll head out to their hot spots to help you make it!

Black Tip Shark

Size: Up to 8ft
Weight: 66 to 220lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? Yes.

The large Black Tip Shark looks just like the sharks everyone fears or dreams of meeting. It’s arguably the most powerful shark we’ll find during our Shark Fishing Charters in Florida and puts on a great fight as they leap out of the water. With a fondness for warmer coastal waters, they regularly encounter people – especially around bays, estuaries, reefs, and shallow waters near beaches. If we’re lucky, we’ll also see them leaping above the water as they’re hunting for bony fishes near the surface. You can identify them with their dark bluish-gray backs, fading to a white belly. They have a long snout and a large dorsal fin that starts in the middle of their backs.

How to Catch Black Tipped Sharks:

These fast-moving sharks love rays, squid, crabs, octopus and lobster. We’ll catch a range of bait on our journey. We’ll use light tackle and witness an incredibly exciting fight as they leap about.

Are Black Tipped Sharks Good to Eat:

Yes. Many people describe Black Tip Shark as tasting like chicken.

Black Nose Sharks

Size: Up to 6.1ft
Weight: 15-24lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? Yes.

Just like the Black Tipped Shark, these fast-moving fighters are famous for the show they put on during Shark Fishing Charters in Florida. They’re often found in large schools and have never been reported in a shark attack incident. Although they’re tough, they also prey on larger sharks.

How to Catch Black Nose Sharks:

We usually make multiple hookups as they travel in schools. But once they come boat side, they’re a handful and won’t give up easily. Light tackle is the go-to choice and bait often includes small fishes, crabs and squid.

Are Black Nose Sharks Good to Eat:

Similar to the Black Tip Shark, they’re meaty and great on a grill.

Fine Tooth Sharks

Size: 5-6ft.
Weight: 15-24lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? Yes.

The Fine Tooth Shark is one of the most challenging sharks to hook during our Shark Fishing Charters in The Keys. They’ll jump around, making them easy to spot, but never jump once hooked. Fine Tooth Sharks pose no threat to humans but have that classic shark appearance. Look out for their slender gray-blue bodies, long tail and long gill slits. And of course, their row of clear, sharp teeth.

How to Catch Fine Tooth Sharks:

Fine Tooth Sharks are usually found in coastal waters, bays and flats. By using small fish and squid, we can attract them before the tough task of getting them hooked!

Are Fine Tooth Sharks Good to Eat?

Yes. Although they’re not important to commercial fishing.

Hammerhead Sharks

Size: 7-8ft.
Weight: 500-1,000lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? No.

The Hammerhead Shark is one of the true heavy-weight monsters of the ocean and the ultimate trophy fish for any Shark Fishing Charter in the Keys. With their unique prehistoric appearance, other sharks fear them. If we’re lucky enough to hook a Hammerhead, we’ll take measurements and pictures you can treasure for life, before releasing them to reign supreme once again. If you land a Hammerhead, you can boast about it for life!

How to Catch a Hammerhead Shark:

Hammerheads put up a fantastic fight. They’re often found in deep waters, but also reefs near inlets and bays. Once hooked, they fight hard and make runs while thrashing all over. We’ll use live bait, cut bait and squid.

Shortfin Mako Shark

Size: Up To 12ft.
Weight: 60-100lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? Yes.

The Mako shark is one of the fastest moving sharks in the world and has a set of razor-sharp crooked teeth. They can reach speeds over 25mph and put one a truly stunning air show once they reach the surface. They’ll fly out of the water before diving deep to try to escape your line. Whether you want to keep it or let it live on, we’ll take measurements and pictures for this one of a kind trophy fish. Look out for their crescent moon tail, deep blue backs and pointed snout.

How to Catch a Mako Shark:

We’ll find the Mako sharks in nearshore areas and deeper waters, as they hunt for fast-moving tunas and swordfish. We’ll use squid and other fish to lure them in. Once hooked, we’ll start the engines and keep the boat away from the Shark until it’s completely played. You can’t just beat a Mako on strength; you need to use the boat to wear it down during a Shark Fishing Charter in the Keys.

Are Mako Sharks Good to Eat?

These beauties are extremely tasty and provide enough meat to feed a couple of football teams.

Thresher Sharks

Size: 10-15ft
Weight: Upto 750lbs.
Can We Retain A Catch? Yes.

Thresher sharks are a common catch for Shark Fishing Charters in the Keys. This is a catch like no other. Unlike the Hammerhead, the Thresher looks like it’s from the future rather than ancient times. With its long, unique tail it’s easy to identify and a stunning fish to look at. It’s big purple eyes hunt for prey before using their large tail to attack fish. This tail makes a huge splash when you’re hooked up. There is no other fight like it.

How to Catch a Thresher Shark:

Threshers put on a tough fight. They’ll use their tail to slap bait about and leap all over the place. We’ll use whole baits, strip baits, live yellowtail snapper or mullet to lure them before using all our experience to drain their energy and reel them in.

Are Thresher Sharks Good to Eat?

Thresher shark steaks are delicious. They make great, meaty steaks but shouldn’t be eaten any longer than 2-3 days after the catch.

Other Shark We Can Catch During our Shark Fishing Charters in Florida:

• Spinner Sharks – Tough to hook, they make multiple jumps while fighting.
• Sharp Nose – A small, baby-sized yet fun shark to catch for all skill levels.
• Lemon Nose Shark – A powerhouse of a shark that will push you to your limits.
• Bonnet Head – Extremely fun shark to catch. Often mistaken for a baby hammerhead.
• Sand Tiger Shark – A deadly looking shark that circles the boat. Not for the faint of heart!

Regulations on Shark Fishing Charters in Florida

In Florida, many sharks are protected and must be released upon catch. However, many are also living in healthy numbers, so are open to be taken home. We’re allowed to retain one Shark per day, per person and two sharks per boat per day. There are also size regulations to prevent catching young sharks.