Hammerheads

[reactive]

Is there anywhere in the US where you can see hammerhead sharks? Maybe during a certain time of year?

Thanks

[fireflock]

I've heard of a few. For example, I sometimes hear about them off of Jupiter, FL, and I have heard about a couple around NC. The reports I hear are few and far between, and people dive those areas for a long time without ever seeing one.

Spring in the Flower Gardens (off TX) is another place that comes to mind. My impression is that Hammerheads are more common there (but still not common?), but sometimes getting out there to dive (weather) is a challenge.

[Capt Hook]

Every once in a while we see them off WPB, mostly in the spring.

[FishFood]

Some locals at Panama City/St Andrews FL told me they usually follow the rays in during the summer. I have yet to see one, however.

[DevilDiver]

Flower Gardens... Febuary, March and some in April.

Here is a trip report from this Febusry 23 and 24....


We arrived on the West bank to find 20 knot winds, seas in the 4-5 foot range, water temps around 68, air temp around 72, and sharks. Big sharks, little sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, reef sharks, Manta rays, grouper, and sharks. Only a couple of fishing boats were out, did I mention we saw sharks. During lunch we moseyed over to the East bank, where we found the wind still blowing, but not as hard, and the seas trying very hard to lay down. The conditions were very similar to the west bank, except wind was down to 15 knots, seas down to 3-4 feet, visibility was 100 feet or better, and we saw sharks. And manta rays, spotted eagle rays, amberjack, and sharks. One buddy pair actually reported seeing a tiger shark eat a triggerfish. Scales everywhere, they said. We saw sharks on the surface, (couldn’t tell what kind), and saw tigers, hammers, bull or sandbars underwater, including one school of about 20 hammerheads. The biggest school we saw on the West bank was about 5-8 individuals.

[longtailbda]

Your in the right part of the world to see them since they are generally a warm water shark. I've only seen them schooling up once off the coast of New Jersey, while diving and that was more than 20 years ago.

[joeybenz106]

Originally Posted by DevilDiver

Flower Gardens... Febuary, March and some in April.

Here is a trip report from this Febusry 23 and 24....


We arrived on the West bank to find 20 knot winds, seas in the 4-5 foot range, water temps around 68, air temp around 72, and sharks. Big sharks, little sharks, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, reef sharks, Manta rays, grouper, and sharks. Only a couple of fishing boats were out, did I mention we saw sharks. During lunch we moseyed over to the East bank, where we found the wind still blowing, but not as hard, and the seas trying very hard to lay down. The conditions were very similar to the west bank, except wind was down to 15 knots, seas down to 3-4 feet, visibility was 100 feet or better, and we saw sharks. And manta rays, spotted eagle rays, amberjack, and sharks. One buddy pair actually reported seeing a tiger shark eat a triggerfish. Scales everywhere, they said. We saw sharks on the surface, (couldn’t tell what kind), and saw tigers, hammers, bull or sandbars underwater, including one school of about 20 hammerheads. The biggest school we saw on the West bank was about 5-8 individuals.

So did you see any sharks? lol
that sounds like a great trip! where is flower gardens?

[DevilDiver]

Originally Posted by joeybenz106

So did you see any sharks? lol
that sounds like a great trip! where is flower gardens?

I have seen Hammers and Silkies. They see Tigers at times as well but they will call the night dives if they are in the area. Whale Sharks come in during the summer but I have not got lucky on that yet.

Here are some links for the Flower Gardens......
Welcome to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
Fling Charters