How to catch Scalloped hammerhead in Florida

Scalloped hammerhead feed in 68–88°F water and bite best at 72–84°F.

150 pts · trophy at 96"Feeds 68–88°FBest 72–84°FIn season nowPass / inletBeach / surfArtificial reefWreck

About

The hammerhead of the passes in tarpon season, following the schools and the boats. Big, fast, fragile out of the water — protected, and a photo alongside the boat is the whole trophy.

How to fish it

Heavy tackle in the pass; a big live bait on cable. Keep the fight short and the fish in the water — they die easily on a long fight.

What it eats

live jacks and ladyfishtarponbig cut bait

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.