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Sheepshead
Species Information
| Scientific Name: | Archosargus probatocephalus |
| Common Names: | sheepshead, sheephead, sheeps head, sheep head |
| Environment: | Inshore, Nearshore, Surf |
| Ideal Temp: | 60-65°F (15-18°C) |
About Sheepshead
The sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, is a marine fish that grows to 30 in (760 mm), but commonly reaches 10 to 20 in. It is deep and compressed in body shape, with 5 to 6 dark bars on the side of the body over a gray background. It has sharp dorsal spines. Its diet consists of oysters, clams, and other bivalves, and barnacles, fiddler crabs, and other crustaceans. It has a hard mouth, with several rows of stubby teeth, which help crush the shells of prey.
Sheepshead are found in waters ranging from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico, and southward to Brazil. Populations of sheepshead occurring in South America and in parts of the Gulf of Mexico are regarded as two separate subspecies. Sheepshead are year-round residents from about South Carolina through the Gulf of Mexico, and most abundant to the north between
April through November. They are found in coastal waters, bays and estuaries, and are tolerant of low salinity brackish waters as well. Sheepshead are most frequently encountered near some type of structure like pilings, jetties, oyster reefs, artificial reefs and coastal live bottom.
Sheepshead Fishing
| World Record: | 9.63 kg (21 lb 4 oz) New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| # Fish Caught: | 889679 documented in database. |
| Earliest Record: | 1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 27.83076, -97.06170. |
| Latest Record: | 6/11/2024 6:42:00 PM and located at 30.66968, -81.46259. |
| Common Techniques: | Bottom Fishing |
| Popular Lure Types: | Bottom Rig |
| Fishing Spots: | 1721 Sheepshead fishing spots. |
Latest Sheepshead Fishing Reports and Spots
I THGUGHT I was launching at Sawpit Creek this morning - when I got down there the tide was up so far - all the way to the bend in the curb- (
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October - 10/18/2024 4:56:42 PM
Body: The bluefish are biting like crazy inshore! Seeing a good drum bite too and still some nice sheepshead around. Offshore and wreck fishin (
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Sunday September 22 2024 Fishing Report Today marks the first day of Fall! Looks like we can count on some good fall fishing and some pretty wea (
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Sheepshead is a strange name (Archosargus probatocephalus is its official name) for a strange fish. Nevertheless they’re a sought after fish fo (
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Forget turning the spigot off someone stick a finger in the dam! Boy have we had some rain this past week - the streets and fields and drive (
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I wrapped my week up fishing with Bill Redfield and his friends Elaine and Joel meeting them out at Goffinville Park boat ramp. We had live sh (
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Wednesday July 24 2024 Fishing Report Anglers are fishing all over our island! We’re seeing fish being caught from the piers the surf in the sou (
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5/13 - 5/17 - 5/18/2024 12:41:57 PM
Body: Reports over the past few days have been mixed with some inshore boats reporting things being on the slower side if anglers are looking (
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5/18 - 5/25 - 5/26/2024 12:42:11 PM
Body: Fishing was on the slower side this past week but picked back up towards the end of the week. We’ve seen some nice bluefish caught insho (
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Friday June 21 2024 Fishing Report It was a perfect start to summer here on the Outer Banks… paradise on earth. We saw quite a variety of fish c (
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