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).
Trout
Recently changedSpotted 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.
Flatfish
Recently changedSouthern 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.
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.
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
- TPWD Shark Limits - Official page for this fish
- TPWD Saltwater Bag & Length Limits
- TPWD Fishing Regulations
Caution: Sizes and bag limits change, and saltwater rules change the most. The official TPWD pages are the final word.