NE FL has an active shark fishery — bull sharks, blacktips, sandbar sharks, and lemon sharks all show in 904 water. The pier ends, the surf at dusk, the inlet jetties on outgoing tide, and offshore structure all hold them. Big bull sharks come into the lower SJR following bait and bull reds in the fall.
Multiple species with different ID needs — bulls are stocky with a blunt nose, blacktips have black tips on the fins, sandbars have a tall first dorsal. Florida regs are species-specific (some prohibited from harvest entirely, others have minimum size and a bag of 1 per day). Always confirm species before retaining.
Year-round in NE FL but peak summer (June-September) when warm water concentrates bait and sharks. Fall they follow bull reds into the river mouth. Winter slows; smaller sharks and dogfish stay around.
Heavy tackle only — 80+ lb braid, 200 lb leader, single 12/0 circle hook, big chunk of fresh-cut mullet or bonito. Soak it on the bottom from a pier end or surf at dusk. Long-leader rigs (10+ feet of wire under fluoro) handle most species. Never bring a shark up onto a pier or beach for photos in summer heat — even legal-to-keep species suffer; release with the fish in the water whenever possible.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.