Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Season in Charleston

Peak months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

SCDNR MRRI: SC coastal sharks arrive in the estuaries in spring when water reaches 66 to 68 F and start moving offshore in fall when it drops below 79 F. Charleston Harbor entrance water reaches 68 F in April and falls below 79 F in October (NCEI). SCDNR: the most abundant shark in SC coastal waters April through September. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Along the beach on the bottom, in the first trough and just past the bar, and around inlets.

On the bottom just past the breakers and in the first trough; often in schools of similar size.

What to look for

Small gray-brown shark with white spots on the back and sides, long pointed snout, first dorsal fin set well behind the pectoral fins.

Bait

Fresh cut mullet, Cut menhaden (bunker), Shrimp or squid for small ones. Fish-finder rig cast just past the breakers: steel leader, non-offset, non-stainless circle hook (required in SC with natural bait), 50 to 80 lb braid on a 10 to 15 ft surf rod.

Leader

Steel leader, as SC surf shark anglers use.

Common mistakes

• Using a J hook or offset circle hook with bait (SC requires non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks)
• Dragging the shark up the dry sand
• Keeping a shark you cannot identify

Landing

Lead it into the shallow wash and keep it in the water there. Do not drag it up the dry sand or lift it by the tail.

Handling

• Teeth
• Abrasive skin
• Sudden thrashing

Keep it in the water: do not drag it up the beach and keep hands away from the mouth and gills. If the hook is deep or you would have to reach near the mouth, cut the leader as close to the hook as you can; carry a cutter that can cut the leader or hook. Prohibited sharks (sandbar, sand tiger, dusky and others) must be released without removing them from the water; treat any shark you cannot identify as prohibited.

Keep or release

Shore shark fishing is legal under SC state rules here (no Horry County ban), but local bans apply: no shark fishing at Folly Beach Pier between 3rd St W and 3rd St E (City of Folly Beach), and WTOC reported in 2015 that shark fishing is prohibited from Hilton Head beaches. Isle of Palms was considering limits in 2025. SCDNR and NOAA describe it as good eating; see the SC regulations file for limits.

Recipes for atlantic sharpnose shark

Typical: 2 to 3 ft. Large: Up to about 3.5 ft (rarely more). SC record 13 lb 5 oz (Murrells Inlet, 2009).

South Carolina limits

• Minimum: none
• Maximum: none
• Bag: 1 per person per day (the limit SC publishes for its Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead group)
• Season: No closed season listed
• Rod and reel or handline only
• Non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks required with natural bait (not with flies or artificial lures)
• Land with head, tail and fins naturally attached
• Federal waters (past 3 miles) need a federal HMS permit with a shark endorsement
• Check local rules: many beach towns ban shore shark fishing

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.

Sources

• SCDNR Marine Resources Research Institute: shark research (estuary arrival and departure temperatures) (Official source)
• SCDNR Marine Resources Division: Sharks of South Carolina (2004 field guide; limits in it are outdated, see R2) (Official source)
• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, all-stations monthly averages (Charleston Cooper River Entrance, Fort Pulaski, Gray's Reef, Fernandina Beach, Mayport, St. Augustine, Trident Pier Port Canaveral, Lake Worth Pier, Fowey Rocks, Virginia Key, Vaca Key, Key West) (Official source)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: Atlantic sharpnose shark (Official source)
• SCDNR saltwater game fish records (Official source)
• SC shark size and catch limits (eRegulations), last updated Aug 5, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Charleston