Fish guide
Other Sharks (release)
Sand tiger, sandbar, dusky, hammerheads and other sharks FishOS does not profile.
Listed for identification; many species are protected. Follow FWC shark rules and release practices.
Showing the fish for Southwest Florida, Naples to Charlotte Harbor.
Season in Southwest Florida
Charlotte Harbor forecasts: sandbar sharks on Gulf reefs in January, sharks with mackerel in April, chum slicks draw sharks in July, sharks with fall bait schools. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Long Island | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| North Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| South Jersey | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Delmarva | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Virginia Beach | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Outer Banks | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Southwest Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Panhandle | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Alabama | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Mississippi | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Louisiana | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Upper Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Middle Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Lower Texas | JFMAMJJASOND |
Handling
- Teeth
- Abrasive skin
- Sudden thrashing
Keep it in the water. Do not drag it up the beach. If the hook is deep, or you would have to put a hand near the mouth, cut the leader as close to the hook as you can and let it go. A lure is never worth a bite. Sand tiger and sandbar sharks are prohibited species and must be released without removing them from the water.
Keep or release
Release unless you know the species and Florida rules; prohibited species must stay in the water.
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: January 2026 fishing forecast for Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf (Angler knowledge)
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: April 2026 fishing forecast for Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf (Angler knowledge)
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: July 2026 fishing forecast (Angler knowledge)
- Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: October 2026 fishing forecast (Angler knowledge)