Shark Species Overview
Louisiana shark fishing holds a mystique for many anglers. The thrill of battling these toothy, infamous and often misunderstood fish. In days of old, people would kill most sharks that were caught, but through education and the studies of the important role sharks play in the oceans, the practice is shifting to catch and release.
Setting out a large bait on a big hook and waiting still holds a special thrill for many. Battling something so strong that it tests one’s endurance is a challenge sought after by those brave enough.
Louisiana has its share of various species of shark. Some anglers have success targeting sharks from the beaches. Many paddle their offerings out in a kayak or paddle board, then kick back on the beach to wait. Large heavy tackle is used to land a shark from a fixed position, but people frequently opt for this method.
Coastal sharks can also be targeted by boat or randomly encountered during a day of fishing. In case of an situation where a shark is eating your intended catch, keep a wire leader with a large circle hook on standby. A wire or cable leader is a must, as most sharks have sharp teeth that will cut anything less durable. Sharks can be caught on lures or flies, but often they are teased with hookless baits. Sharks will not eat anything they find, and often times their wariness will surprise you.
Many species of shark are protected, so anglers should research the latest regulations before a trip to target sharks.
Closed seasons and size limits also apply to most of the sharks so check “know before you go.”
Louisiana Shark Species
Related Rules and Regulations
CLOSED SEASON
All Louisiana state waters seaward to the gulfward boundary of the Louisiana Territorial Sea shall be closed to the recreational and commercial harvest and possession of all sharks between April 1 and June 30 of each year.
Small Coastal Sharks
- Atlantic sharpnose shark; bonnethead shark; blacknose shark; finetooth shark
Large Coastal Sharks
- Blacktip shark; nurse shark; smooth hammerhead; bull shark; sandbar shark*; spinner shark; great hammerhead; scalloped hammerhead; tiger shark; lemon shark; silky shark*
*NOTE: Recreational harvest of sandbar and silky sharks (ridgeback sharks) is not allowed.
Pelagic Sharks
- Blue shark; porbeagle shark; thresher shark; oceanic whitetip shark; shortfin mako NOTE: A person subject to a bag limit shall not possess at any time, regardless of the number of trips or the duration of a trip, any shark in excess of the bag limits. The practice of “finning,” that is, removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea, is prohibited within and without Louisiana waters. Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, a person may fish for, but not retain, white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and reel only under a catch and- release program, provided the person releases and returns such fish to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury.
Prohibited Sharks
- The following is a list of shark species that are prohibited:
- Atlantic angel shark, sand tiger shark, dusky shark, bigeye sand tiger shark, sixgill shark, largetooth sawfish, bigeye thresher shark, smalltooth sawfish, narrowtooth shark, Caribbean reef shark, white shark, Caribbean sharpnose shark, basking shark, sevengill shark, Galapagos shark, bigeye sixgill shark, smalltail shark, longfin mako, bignose shark, whale shark and night shark. No sandbar or silky sharks may be retained under a recreational bag limit.
A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. The Atlantic HMS Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $25.
An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $20.
For information about contact the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Permitting Office at 1-888-872-8862 or 727-824-5399 or visit the NMFS Permit Shop at www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For complete HMS regulations, contact the HMS Management Division at 301-713- 2347 or visit the website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/information.
