The smallest hammerhead, with a smooth, shovel/bonnet-shaped head (rounded, not scalloped). Gray-brown, usually 2-3.5 ft (3-12 lb) around Galveston. Easily distinguished from the big hammerheads by small size and rounded head.
⚖ Texas limits · 2026-27 license year Sharks: 1/day all species combined · non-offset non-stainless circle hooks required in state waters · 24″ min · verify at TPWD →
On the water
WhenWarmest months (May-September); largely a daytime, warm-water shark on the flats. Best on moving tide when crabs and shrimp are active; sight-fishing opportunities on clear flats.WhereShallow bay flats, seagrass and sand/shell bottoms in Galveston Bay, West Bay, and back-bay areas; also the surf and around jetties and channel edges. Prefers warm, shallow, clear-to-lightly-stained water over crab-rich bottom.HowBottom fishing on the flats and channel edges with fresh crab or shrimp on a light Carolina/fish-finder rig. Can be sight-cast on shallow flats. Often caught by anglers targeting redfish and black drum with natural baits.BehaviorUnusual among sharks - largely a crustacean feeder (crabs and shrimp) and the only shark known to intentionally eat seagrass. Roots along the bottom for blue crabs, so crab and shrimp baits are deadly; bottom scent is the draw.The fightLight, spirited runs and head-shakes on light tackle; a fun flats target, especially for kids and fly/light-spin anglers.
Baits that work
Fresh blue crab (quartered or whole small)
Live or dead shrimp
Cut mullet (secondary)
Fiddler crabs
Tackle
Rod & reel7-7.5 ft medium spinning rod, 2500-4000 reel - light inshore gear.Line10-20 lb braid or mono.Leader18-24 in of 30-40 lb fluorocarbon/mono; wire usually unnecessary (they have flat crushing plates, not cutting teeth), and mono improves bites on the flats.Terminal1/0-4/0 non-offset, non-stainless CIRCLE hooks (required); small circle handles crab/shrimp well.RigLight Carolina rig or a small fish-finder with a 1/2-1 oz weight; a popping cork with shrimp also works.
The bait clock
☀ DawnFresh dead shrimp on bottom rig
Bonnetheads cruise the guts and flats early hunting crustaceans.
☼ MiddayHalf blue crab or fresh shrimp
A daytime crustacean specialist; crab baits in the surf and bays are the top producer.
☾ DuskCut crab or shrimp
Evening tide keeps them rooting the bottom for crabs into last light.
[{'months': [5, 6, 7, 8, 9], 'note': 'Warm months in the surf and lower bay; crab and shrimp baits.'}]
Primarily a daylight feeder on crabs; rarely targeted at night in Galveston.
Handling & releaseHardy; release is straightforward. Support the body, keep handling short, back out or cut the hook, and they swim off well. Their crushing plates aren't a cutting hazard but handle gently.On the tableGood, mild eating and low mercury for a shark thanks to small size and crustacean diet. Bleed and ice immediately as with any shark to avoid ammonia flavor.As baitRarely used as bait; valued as a light-tackle sport and light table fish.
The bar to beat
Texas state record
24.3 lb · 50.12″ — Pamela Joseph
Gulf of Mexico, TX, 2004
World record
28.0 lb — Carter Wells
Port Orange, Florida, 2012
Records as compiled in the IronJetty guide (Aug 2026) — verify current marks with TPWD records / IGFA.
