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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
2025 is now upon us and we are looking forward to a great year with plenty of fish hopefully in everyone’s future! Inshore Fishing Report For (
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I had my first trip of 2025 this morning with Dennis Fritz and his son Douglas and grandson Ethan - we met down at Sawpit Creek boat ramp and (
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Merry Christmas from Spacefish! Wishing everyone catch the holiday spirit along with plenty of fish this week! We've got decent weather in stor (
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That hot November fishing has continued on into December - boy we caught some fish today! I had met Henry Ross and David Gray down at Sawpit (
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Lots of action of late with a variety of species. Trout have been fairly plentiful with some keepers and some shorts. Shrimp under floats have (
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Boy what a temperature drop we had! And with it came some strong winds - the forecast for this morning was 13mph at 7am but quickly rising to (
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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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