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Blacktip Shark

Blacktip Shark

Blacktip sharks are medium-sized requiem sharks commonly found in South Carolina's coastal waters.

In South Carolina waters, blacktip sharks are one of the most abundant shark species, with catch per unit effort data showing increasing abundance in estuarine waters.

Scientific Name: Carcharhinus limbatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Blacktip sharks typically measure 4-6 feet in length though they can reach up to 8 feet and weigh 40-80 pounds.
  • They're easily identified by distinctive black tips on their dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins, along with a grayish-brown body with white underside and sharp, serrated teeth.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit warm, shallow coastal waters including estuaries, coastal rivers, shallow bays, nearshore waters, and the open ocean, preferring high salinity waters (25-34 ppt) and sandy or muddy bottoms.

Key Locations

  • Key areas include Port Royal Sound, St.
  • Helena Sound, Bulls Bay, Calibogue Sound, and Broad Creek.

Specific Spots

  • Fish near structure like jetties, inlets, artificial reefs, natural reefs, sandbars, and drop-offs in Port Royal Sound, along seagrass beds, and tidal creeks.
  • Target depths from shallow flats to 210 feet, though they typically stay in the upper 100 feet of water.

Blacktip Shark FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Blacktip Shark in South Carolina?

For bait, fresh, oily fish work best - particularly fresh-caught mackerel, mullet, menhaden, bluefish, sardines, or cut pieces of bonito. Live bait is highly effective. When sharks are actively feeding or during feeding frenzies, they'll also strike artificial lures like bucktail jigs, crankbaits, and streamer flies.

When is the best time to fish for Blacktip Shark in South Carolina?

Prime blacktip shark fishing season in South Carolina runs from late spring through early fall, with peak activity during summer months (June-August).

How do you catch Blacktip Shark in South Carolina?

Set multiple rods in a spread, with half freelined and half weighted just enough to keep baits in the water column. When sharks are actively feeding or during feeding frenzies, they'll also strike artificial lures.

What do Blacktip Shark eat?

Their diet consists primarily of small schooling fish like mullet, menhaden, sardines, herring, anchovies, mackerel, groupers, and flatfish, plus squid, crustaceans, skates, and stingrays.

Where do Blacktip Shark live in South Carolina?

They inhabit warm, shallow coastal waters including estuaries, coastal rivers, shallow bays, nearshore waters, and the open ocean, preferring high salinity waters (25-34 ppt) and sandy or muddy bottoms.

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