Bull shark

US fish and state coverage

Carcharhinus leucas

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Typical depth
Typical size
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Inhabits estuarine, nearshore and offshore waters of both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. Bull sharks have a wide range of salinity tolerances and commonly enter freshwater systems as well as hypersaline lagoons.  They are the only shark species that can tolerate long periods of freshwater exposure, sometimes venturing hundreds of miles inland via coastal river systems.
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
Year-round presence/fishing opportunity (intentional display).
Bite time of day
daytime aggressive feeds
Tide effect
passes and tidal islands

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Inhabits estuarine, nearshore and offshore waters of both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida. Bull sharks have a wide range of salinity tolerances and commonly enter freshwater systems as well as hypersaline lagoons.  They are the only shark species that can tolerate long periods of freshwater exposure, sometimes venturing hundreds of miles inland via coastal river systems.
Habitat zone
both
Fishing zone
both

How to catch

Techniques
mixed live/cut with chum; short wire to circle hook; 15–30 lb class; dehooker/gloves

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
live mullet/pinfish/herring; cut mullet or ladyfish; chum

Size

Not in the source.

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
517.44
Record location
Panama City Bch
Record date
10/01/1981
Record angler
Gregory K. Burnett
Record catch text
517.44 lb; by Gregory K. Burnett; on 10/01/1981; at Panama City Bch

Browse sourced catches for this species

Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 1020 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 1 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 632 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 4 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.