Texas Porch

Saltwater / Sharks

Sharks

Yes, you can catch sharks from Texas beaches - with strict rules.

Allowed for several species, with a circle-hook rule and a prohibited list.

Daily limit

1 per day among the allowed species.

Size limit

Varies by species: 24-inch minimum for Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, and bonnethead; 64 inches for most other allowed sharks; 99 inches for hammerheads.

Good to know

  • When using a rod and reel, you must use a non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hook - it helps the shark survive release.
  • Several sharks (like whale and sand tiger) are off-limits and must be released. Check the prohibited list.

Source to confirm: TPWD Shark Limits

More saltwater fish

Others to target

Drum

Red drum (redfish)

Tightly managed with a slot limit and a trophy tag.

Daily:
3 per day.
Size:
20 to 28 inch slot (keep only fish between those sizes).
Details & official link ->

Trout

Recently changed

Spotted seatrout (speckled trout)

A coastal staple with a tight slot to protect breeding fish after hard winter freezes.

Daily:
3 per day.
Size:
15 to 20 inch slot.
Details & official link ->

Flatfish

Recently changed

Southern flounder

Great on the table, and the one you can also gig at night.

Daily:
5 per day - except November 1 to December 14, when the season is closed and you can't keep any.
Size:
15-inch minimum.
Details & official link ->

Drum

Black drum

A coastal workhorse, good eating at the smaller end of the slot.

Daily:
5 per day.
Size:
14 to 30 inch slot.
Details & official link ->

Official sources

Fishing rules for sharks come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the size and bag limit before you keep one.

Data vintage:
Built on the 2025-2026 license year
Last reviewed:
June 15, 2026

Caution: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word.

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