Bonnethead Shark

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Sphyrna tiburo
Common Names:	bonnethead, bonnethead shark, shovelnose shark, shovelhead shark, shovel head shark, shovel nose shark, bonnet head shark
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:

About Bonnethead Shark

The Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo) is a small species of hammerhead shark belonging to the family Sphyrnidae. They are usually gray or brown in color, with a distinctive shovel-shaped head that is rounded at the front and flattened at the back, resembling a bonnet or a shovel.

These sharks are typically found in shallow coastal waters in the western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from North Carolina to Brazil. They are also found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Bonnethead sharks prefer habitats such as seagrass beds, mangrove swamps, and sandy flats.

Adult Bonnethead Sharks can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, but most individuals are smaller, averaging around 3.3 feet (1 meter) in length. They are omnivores and feed primarily on crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, but they also consume small fish, mollusks, and seagrass.

Bonnethead Shark Fishing

World Record:
# Fish Caught:	43641 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 29.56457, -94.39284.
Latest Record:	11/26/2024 7:18:00 PM and located at 30.66968, -81.46259.
Common Techniques:	Bottom Fishing
Popular Lure Types:	Bottom Rig
Fishing Spots:	2 Bonnethead Shark fishing spots.

Latest Bonnethead Shark Fishing Reports and Spots

We Skirted The Storms - 8/7/2025 5:49:00 PM

 After last week's heat today's weather was a blessing albeit kind of spooky - there were storms to the eastof us and storms to the west of us (View)

It Was The Jared Show - 8/1/2025 9:56:00 PM

 We've all been there before - one of the fishing crew seems to have the hot hand and catches most of the fish. Today was the Jared Show - I ha (View)

Birthday Boy's First Fishing Trip - 7/30/2025 5:18:00 PM

  We entered a new era when Steve Locke treated his son Justin and grandson Landon to an Amelia Island Back Country fishing trip. It was Landon (View)

Late Stop Produces Bragging Rights - 7/31/2025 4:21:00 PM

 I met Nick Nist and his fishing buddy out at Goffinsville Park this morning - we had the last few hours of an outgoing tide so we made a run d (View)

Flounder Skunk is Off - 7/18/2025 9:14:00 PM

 I fished with the Averbuch boys today - Poppa-Doc Mark his son Cutler and grandson Harvey meeting them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp earl (View)

Personal Bests and Bragging Rights Entry - 7/10/2025 4:36:00 PM

 I was back down at Sawpit Creek this morning meeting Dean Jensen and his sons Eli and Tyler early. We headed up the intracoastal then up the N (View)

Going Sharking - 6/30/2025 4:12:00 PM

 I was back launching at Old Town Bait and Tackle this morning where I met Nigel and Erin Morton who had their two sons Ronan and Vance with th (View)

It Ran Like A Shark - 6/17/2025 4:44:00 PM

 I was back to work today fishing with Brian Roach and his son Mike after meeting them down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early. We made a shor (View)

The Red Hook Gaurantee - 6/12/2025 5:02:00 PM

 I fished yesterday with the Frost's - Steve and Carron meeting them down at the Sawpit Creek boat rampearly and good for that - the day turned (View)

Flounder Bragging - 6/3/2025 4:59:00 PM

 We had movement on the Bragging Rights board today - Flounder category. I had met Clint Davidson his wife Kat and her father Brian up at the O (View)