How to catch Great hammerhead

Great hammerhead feed in 68–88°F water and bite best at 72–84°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 7 waters.

200 pts · trophy at 120"Feeds 68–88°FBest 72–84°FIn season nowPass / inletBeach / surfGrass flatArtificial reef

About

The biggest hammerhead — fourteen feet, a thousand pounds — cruising the beaches and passes of Southwest Florida and the Keys behind the tarpon and the rays. Protected. A photo at the boat is the fish.

How to fish it

The heaviest tackle you own, off a boat, in the pass on the outgoing in May. Fight it hard and fast, and cut the leader close in the water.

What it eats

tarponstingrayslive jacksbig cut baits

Live bait for it

Blue runners (hardtails)Nose-hooked and slow-trolled on a wire stinger rig for kings; bridled for sailfish and cobia.

Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.

Cut ladyfishA whole ladyfish or a head on a 9/0 circle hook and wire for sharks; chunks on the bottom for redfish and drum. The best shark bait in Florida.