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 Found Some Trout - 6/1/2025 3:06:00 PM

 I fished Friday with Bill Foran and his daughter Casey meeting them up at Old Town Bait and Tackle boat ramp. We made a quick run up and over (View)

Started Hot - 5/22/2025 4:19:00 PM

We had a nice breezy morning today just enough to keep it from getting hot. I had met David Wanda and Charlie Morton up at Old Town Bait and Ta (View)

Keep To Catch Ratio Pretty Good - 5/14/2025 6:49:00 PM

Another pretty morning thankfully -clear skies mild temperature and just a slight breeze. I met Pete Nolan and his fishing buddy Jeff down at S (View)

Nine Fish Variety - 5/16/2025 4:14:00 PM

 Another beautiful day a smorgasbord of different back water fish caught: Redfish Jack Crevalle Black Drum Toad Fish Sea Bass Ladyfish Shark Fl (View)

The Kid - 5/13/2025 8:27:00 PM

 Boy what a beautiful morning we had after a weekend of rain and last nights downpour. I had met Jeff and Cindy Patrick up at the Old Town Bait (View)

Pretty Day Aggravating Wind Fish Caught - 4/29/2025 4:44:00 PM

 We had a beautiful day this morning but when I stepped out to get the boat ready the flags on the front of the house were blowing and I said u (View)

A Menagerie of Fish - 4/21/2025 5:03:00 PM

 Menagerie: A collection of wild animals kept in captivity. Yes they were wild animals (fish) but they weren't in captivity - we caught them wi (View)

A Few Surprises - 4/24/2025 4:13:00 PM

 About when I think I've got fishing figured out I get surprised. This morning after meeting Henry Ross his sister Laura and her husband Dennis (View)

And Just Like That.. - 11/26/2024 7:18:00 PM

 Bragging Rights Busted. I had met Scott er and his son Benny up at Old Town Bait and Tackle this afternoon on a tide that had been coming in f (View)

What A Mess O' Fish - 11/6/2024 9:13:00 PM

 I stepped out this morning and it was drizzling rain and the flag was flapping in the wind and I was thinking we may be in for a blustery day. (View)