Get the Right Permit Before Shark Fishing from Shore
Florida’s shore-based shark rule is not just for people keeping sharks. If you target sharks from a beach, pier, bridge, jetty or other structure attached to shore, FWC requires the Shark-Smart course and the no-cost annual Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit.
This guide gives you the exact decision path: who needs the permit, when shark-style gear triggers it, how the course works, when a saltwater license is still needed, and what to do if you hook a prohibited shark from shore.
Fast answer: if you are age 16 or older and plan to target or keep sharks from shore in Florida, including beaches, jetties, bridges and piers, you must complete FWC’s Shore-Based Shark-Smart Fishing educational course and obtain the free annual Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit. The permit must be renewed every year.
You may still need a regular Florida saltwater fishing license unless a true license exemption applies. The shark permit itself has no permit exemptions for anglers 16 and older, including Florida residents age 65 or older who are normally exempt from a fishing license.
Florida Shore-Based Shark Permit Checker
Use this before you rig bait, deploy a line or walk onto a pier. The permit is free, but fishing first and fixing the paperwork later is the risky way to do it.
Who Needs Florida’s Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit?
FWC requires the course and no-cost permit when you plan to target or keep sharks caught from shore. “Shore” includes structures attached to shore such as jetties, bridges and piers.
The permit is also triggered for some shore anglers who say they are not shark fishing but use shark-style gear. If your shore setup includes long metal leaders, fighting belts or bait deployment with large hooks, check the permit trigger rules before you fish.
Beach and shore anglers
Targeting sharks from the beach or shoreline requires the FWC course and no-cost annual permit for anglers 16 and older.
Bridge, jetty and pier anglers
FWC includes structures attached to shore, so bridge, pier and jetty shark fishing is part of the shore-based rule.
Shark-style gear users
Metal leaders over 4 feet, fighting belts or harnesses, or non-cast bait deployment with large hooks can trigger the permit even when targeting another species from shore.
Permit Trigger Table: Beach, Pier, Bridge, Jetty and Gear Setups
This is the part many short pages miss. FWC does not only mention “targeting sharks.” It also lists gear/activity triggers for anglers 16 and older fishing from shore for any species.
| Your situation | Permit/course needed? | Micro-help before fishing |
|---|---|---|
| Targeting sharks from a beach, bridge, jetty, pier or shore-fixed structure | Yes, for anglers 16+ | Take the Shark-Smart course first, then get the free annual permit through Go Outdoors Florida. |
| Keeping a retainable shark caught from shore | Yes, plus saltwater license and shark harvest rules | Identify the species before keeping. Prohibited species must stay in the water and be released without delay. |
| Fishing from shore for any species with a metal leader more than 4 feet long | Yes, for anglers 16+ | FWC treats this as a shore-based shark permit trigger. |
| Fishing from shore for any species with a fighting belt or harness | Yes, for anglers 16+ | Permit and course are needed even if you say you are not targeting sharks. |
| Deploying bait by kayak, drone, paddleboard or another method besides casting from shore with a hook 1.5 inches or larger at widest inside distance | Yes, for anglers 16+ | Non-cast deployment plus a large hook is a permit trigger. |
| Normal surf fishing with light tackle, short leader and no shark target | Usually no shark permit | You still need the correct saltwater license unless exempt. |
| Fishing for sharks from a vessel | No shore-based shark permit | Shark gear, prohibited species, handling, whole-condition and HMS rules can still apply. |
| Fishing from a licensed fishing pier | Yes if targeting sharks from the pier | FWC says contact the Office of Licensing and Permitting for help obtaining this permit if fishing from a licensed pier. |
Permit vs Saltwater Fishing License: You May Need Both
The Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit is no-cost, but it does not replace a saltwater fishing license. FWC’s saltwater license page says the shark permit is required in addition to a saltwater fishing license when taking or attempting to take sharks from shore, including jetties, bridges and piers.
Think of the requirements as two layers: the regular saltwater license layer and the special shark course/permit layer. Some anglers are exempt from the regular fishing license, but FWC says there are no permit exemptions for the shore-based shark permit.
Base license
A saltwater fishing license is normally needed when taking or attempting to take sharks unless a valid license exemption applies.
Shark permit
The no-cost shore-based shark permit is required for anglers 16+ targeting sharks from shore, even if normally license-exempt.
Annual renewal
FWC says the course/permit requirement must be renewed annually. Do not rely on last year’s expired permit.
How to Take the FWC Shark-Smart Course and Get the Free Permit
The course comes first. After completion, FWC directs you to the licensing system to get the no-cost annual Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit.
Open the FWC shark course
Go to the official FWC education portal through MyFWC.com/SharkCourse. Avoid lookalike websites that charge for information.
Create or log in to the course profile
Use the correct angler name and email. Do not take the course under someone else’s profile if the permit will be yours.
Complete the Shark-Smart course
The course covers identification, prohibited species, tackle, handling, release and public-safety rules.
Pass the course/quiz and save the completion details
Keep the course completion information in case Go Outdoors Florida asks for it or support needs to verify completion.
Go to Go Outdoors Florida
Add the Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit to your account. The permit is annual and no-cost after course completion.
Carry proof before fishing
Print a copy, save a screenshot, or store it in the Fish|Hunt FL app before heading to the beach, pier, bridge or jetty.
Course and Permit Troubleshooting
If the course or permit does not appear right away, do not fish while the account is unresolved. Use this checklist first.
Name mismatch
Make sure the course name and Go Outdoors customer profile name match the actual angler, not a parent, spouse or fishing buddy.
Wrong account
If you have more than one Go Outdoors profile, check the customer number and email before assuming the permit disappeared.
Licensed pier issue
FWC says anglers fishing from a licensed pier should contact the Office of Licensing and Permitting for assistance obtaining the permit.
Age, Seniors, Youth and Visitor Rules
FWC’s age rule is clear for the permit: anglers 16 and older need the shore-based shark permit when the rule applies. This includes Florida residents age 65 or older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license.
| Angler | Shore-based shark permit? | Saltwater license? |
|---|---|---|
| Florida resident age 16-64 targeting sharks from shore | Yes, free annual permit after course | Usually yes unless another official exemption applies. |
| Florida resident age 65+ targeting sharks from shore | Yes. FWC says the permit is required even for 65+ anglers normally license-exempt. | May be exempt from regular saltwater license with proof, but not from the shark permit. |
| Visitor / nonresident age 16+ targeting sharks from shore | Yes, free annual permit after course | Usually a nonresident saltwater license is needed unless a valid exemption applies. |
| Angler under age 16 | No permit required | FWC says they must take the course unless fishing with someone who holds the shore-based shark permit. |
| Family beach trip with one permitted adult | Adult must hold permit; under-16 rule depends on adult permit coverage | Do not let unpermitted adults target sharks from shore. |
Shore-Based vs Vessel Shark Fishing
FWC says you are not required to have the Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit if you are fishing for sharks from a vessel. But this does not mean boat shark fishing is rule-free.
From shore
Beach, bridge, jetty, pier and shore-fixed structure shark fishing triggers the course and permit for anglers 16+.
From vessel
The shore-based permit is not required solely because you are shark fishing from a boat, but gear, prohibited species and federal rules can still apply.
Federal HMS permit holders
If fishing from an HMS-permitted vessel, FWC says permit holders must follow federal HMS permit requirements and shark endorsement rules where applicable.
Gear and Tackle Rules That Apply to Shark Fishing
Shark fishing rules are not just paperwork. FWC lists gear requirements designed to improve release survival and reduce prohibited-species injury.
Hook and line only
FWC lists hook-and-line gear only for sharks. Spearing and other prohibited methods are not allowed.
Circle hooks
Non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks are required when targeting or harvesting sharks with live or dead natural bait.
Cutting device
You must possess and use a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook when targeting sharks from shore or vessel.
No treble/multiple hook with bait
Harvest is prohibited with a treble or other multiple hook used with live or dead natural bait.
Prohibited Sharks: Keep Them in the Water and Release Without Delay
Many shark species are prohibited from harvest, possession or landing in Florida waters. FWC says prohibited shark species must remain in the water with the gills submerged when fishing from shore or a vessel and must be released without delay when fishing from shore.
Do not pull prohibited sharks onto dry land
Do not bring prohibited species onto a vessel, pier, bridge or dry land beyond the surf zone.
Cut if removal delays release
If hook removal will delay release, cut the hook or leader as close to the hook as possible.
Treat unknown sharks as prohibited
If you cannot identify the shark quickly and confidently, release it as a prohibited species.
| Examples of prohibited sharks listed by FWC | What to do | Why this matters |
|---|---|---|
| Great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead and smooth hammerhead | Keep gills submerged and release immediately. | Hammerheads are vulnerable to stress and often misidentified. |
| Lemon, dusky, sandbar, sand tiger, silky and Caribbean reef sharks | Do not pose for dry-land photos. Cut leader if needed. | Possession or landing can create a violation. |
| Bigeye thresher, oceanic whitetip, longfin mako and shortfin mako | Release without delay and keep the fish in the water. | State and federal rules can be strict for these species. |
| Any shark you cannot confidently identify | Treat as prohibited and release. | Wrong identification is not a useful beach-side plan. |
Retainable Sharks: Bag Limit, Vessel Limit and Whole Condition
Retainable sharks are managed as a group for bag-limit purposes. FWC’s shark page lists the recreational bag limit as one shark per person per day and a vessel limit of two sharks per vessel. Retained sharks must remain in whole condition with heads, tails and fins attached until landed.
| Retainable group | Examples | Important field check |
|---|---|---|
| Retainable sharks with 54-inch fork length minimum | Bull, nurse, spinner, blue, porbeagle and common thresher. | Measure fork length correctly before harvest and confirm species identification. |
| Retainable sharks with no minimum size limit | Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth, smooth dogfish, Florida smoothhound and Gulf smoothhound. | Bag/vessel limits still apply, and local/federal rules can still change the answer. |
| Any shark retained | Only if the species is retainable and all license, permit and gear rules are satisfied. | Must remain in whole condition with head, tail and fins attached until landed. |
Pier and Bridge Shark Fishing: Release Problems Most Guides Skip
FWC says catch-and-release shark fishing is not recommended from most piers and bridges because they are high above the water and make safe handling difficult. Large sharks should not be brought onto a pier or bridge for a normal release photo.
Large shark from pier
Do not haul it up for a photo. FWC recommends walking it to the base of the bridge or pier before removing the hook or cutting the line.
Small shark from pier
FWC says small sharks can be brought up for hook removal using a bridge or pier net, then lowered back down using the net.
Before fishing
Have a pier net, cutters, long dehooking tool and a release plan ready before the first bait is deployed.
Accidental Shark Catches While Surf Fishing
You may hook a small shark while fishing for pompano, whiting, redfish or other surf species. The permit question depends on your intent and gear, but the release rules still matter once a shark is on the line.
No shark target, light surf gear
If you were not targeting sharks and did not use permit-trigger gear, the shark permit may not be the issue. Release safely and check your saltwater license status.
Using shark-style gear
If you use long metal leaders, a harness, or deployed bait with large hooks from shore, FWC may treat the setup as a permit-trigger situation.
Unknown shark species
Keep it in the water, cut close if needed, and release it as if prohibited.
Beach Safety, Chumming, Sea Turtles and Local Rules
FWC says chumming is prohibited from the beach when fishing for any species. Shark fishing also needs to be done away from swimmers, crowded beaches and high-traffic areas.
Chumming from beach
FWC prohibits chumming when fishing for any species from the beach.
Swimmers and crowds
Avoid popular swimming zones and high-traffic times. Shark fishing near swimmers can trigger safety and local enforcement issues.
Sea turtle season
FWC notes sea turtle nesting season runs March through October. Use amber or red lighting when fishing from shore during those months.
Local ordinances
Some cities and counties restrict shark fishing, beach hours, bait deployment, drones, nighttime fishing, piers or turtle-season activity.
Official PDF Notes: What the 2026 Saltwater Guide Adds
The live FWC shark page is the best source for current permit steps and handling rules. The 2026 saltwater regulation PDF adds a compact shark chart that is useful in the field, but the PDF itself says the Florida Administrative Code is the final authority on fishing laws.
Course and permit required
The PDF shark chart notes that the Shore-Based Shark Fishing educational course and permit are required.
One shark per person / two per vessel
The chart lists the retainable shark group bag limit as one per harvester or two per vessel per day, whichever is less.
Hook-and-line gear only
The shark chart states hook-and-line gear only for retainable sharks.
54-inch fork length group
Blue, porbeagle, bull, nurse, common thresher and spinner are shown in the 54-inch fork length group.
No-minimum-size group
Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, blacknose, blacktip, smooth dogfish and smoothhound examples appear under no minimum size.
No-cost online permit note
The license-and-permit section lists the annual shore-based shark permit at $0.00 and notes no-cost permits are available online at Go Outdoors Florida.
Common Shore-Based Shark Permit Mistakes
These are the mistakes that create real problems on Florida beaches, piers and bridges.
- Thinking the permit is optional because it is free: no-cost does not mean not required.
- Fishing with last year’s permit: FWC says the permit must be renewed annually.
- Assuming seniors are exempt: anglers 65+ still need the shore-based shark permit when the rule applies.
- Letting an adult fish under a child’s course completion: each adult angler needs their own permit.
- Using shark gear while claiming not to target sharks: FWC’s metal leader, fighting belt and bait-deployment triggers matter.
- Dragging prohibited sharks onto sand or a pier: prohibited species must remain in the water with gills submerged and be released without delay.
- Forgetting bolt cutters or leader cutters: a quick cutting device is required when targeting sharks.
- Chumming from the beach: FWC prohibits chumming from the beach when fishing for any species.
- Ignoring local beach ordinances: the state permit does not override local closures, beach hours, swimming zones or pier rules.
- Keeping a shark without confident ID: treat unknown sharks as prohibited and release.
Helpful Video: Shore-Based Shark Regulation Update
This video is relevant because it explains Florida’s shore-based shark regulation changes and helps anglers understand the permit/course idea before setting gear on a beach, pier or bridge.
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FWC Permit Help, Go Outdoors and Contact Map
If the course completion code, permit checkout, licensed pier situation or account login fails, use FWC and Go Outdoors help instead of guessing on the beach.
FWC Licensing and Permitting
Phone: 850-488-3641. Use this for permit questions, including licensed-pier help.
Go Outdoors account help
For login or account help, Go Outdoors lists 1-855-779-5907.
FWC headquarters
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399.
Official Shore-Based Shark Permit Links
Use these links after you understand whether your setup triggers the permit. They are practical task links, not filler.
FWC shark regulations
Official page for permit rules, species, gear, handling, chumming and Shark-Smart guidance.
FWC Shark-Smart course
Official education portal used before obtaining the no-cost shore-based shark permit.
Go Outdoors Florida
Use after the course to add the annual no-cost shore-based shark permit to your account.
Prohibited shark species
Official list and handling rule for sharks that must remain in the water and be released without delay.
Florida Shore-Based Shark Permit FAQs
Who needs a Florida shore-based shark permit?
Anglers age 16 or older who plan to target or keep sharks caught from shore need the no-cost annual permit after completing FWC’s Shark-Smart educational course. This includes beaches, jetties, bridges and piers.
Is the Florida shore-based shark permit free?
Yes. FWC lists the annual Shore-Based Shark Fishing Permit at $0.00 after completing the required educational course.
Do I still need a saltwater fishing license?
Usually yes, unless a valid saltwater license exemption applies. The shark permit is an additional requirement and does not replace the base saltwater fishing license.
Do Florida seniors age 65 or older need the shark permit?
Yes. FWC says the permit is required for shore-based shark anglers age 16 and older, including those 65 and older who are normally exempt from needing a fishing license.
Do anglers under 16 need the shark permit?
No. Anglers under 16 are not required to get the permit, but FWC says they must take the online educational course unless fishing with someone who holds the permit.
Do I need the permit if I fish for sharks from a boat?
FWC says the shore-based shark permit is not required when fishing for sharks from a vessel. Gear, prohibited species, handling, whole-condition and federal HMS rules may still apply.
Does fishing from a pier count as shore-based shark fishing?
Yes. FWC includes structures attached to shore such as jetties, bridges and piers. If it is a licensed fishing pier, FWC says to contact the Office of Licensing and Permitting for help obtaining the permit.
Can I chum from the beach while fishing?
No. FWC says chumming is prohibited when fishing for any species from the beach.
What gear is required when shark fishing?
FWC requires non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks when targeting or harvesting sharks with live or dead natural bait, and a device capable of quickly cutting the leader or hook when targeting sharks.
What should I do if I catch a prohibited shark?
Keep it in the water with the gills submerged and release it without delay. If hook removal delays release, cut the hook or leader as close to the hook as possible.