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

Redemption at Amelia Island - 11/18/2025 6:11:00 PM

  The last time I fished with this guy I got the uneasy feeling that he wouldn't be back. But he was back today with a vengeance. I had met Dav (View)

A Triple Five Slots and One Oversized - 11/21/2025 5:59:00 PM

  I felt pretty confident this morning that we'd catch fish today but I was thinking maybe a nice Redfish and surely a good handful of small Se (View)

Slick As Ice - 10/21/2025 4:52:00 PM

 That's how the water was today not a ripple. And a whole lot of sunshine after the sun got up. I had met Steve Locke and his fishing buddy Ton (View)

Redfish Bonanza - 10/13/2025 3:06:00 PM

  With the weather getting better and the tides not so high the fish catching is getting....great!  I met Pete Nolan his daughter Sydney and th (View)

Big Trout Makes The Day - 10/9/2025 10:07:00 AM

 This crazy weather is making it difficult to get our trips in! Just like last week there was a window of opportunity yesterday where the winds (View)

Creeping Thru the Fog - 9/23/2025 3:38:00 PM

  We had almost zero wind this morning and clear skies when we finally saw them! I had met Gordon Fowler and his fishing buddy Reid up at the O (View)

Big 'un Right Off The Bat - 9/25/2025 6:23:00 PM

 I was back down at the south end today fishing with the Soper Team - Larry and his sons Garrett and Dustin. We left the Sawpit Creek boat ramp (View)

Nice Box of Fish - 8/25/2025 6:58:00 PM

 We had a pretty day when I met Frank and Joanne Wytiaz down at the Sawpit Creek boat ramp early this morning - clear skies just a slight wind (View)

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)