Sheepshead
Species Information
Scientific Name: | Archosargus probatocephalus |
Environment: | Inshore, Nearshore, Surf |
Ideal Temp: | 60-65°F (15-18°C) |
Technique: | Bottom Fishing |
Lure Type: | Bottom Rig |
World Record: | 9.63 kg (21 lb 4 oz) New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
Other Names: | sheepshead, sheephead, sheeps head, sheep head |
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.
Latest Sheepshead Fishing Reports and Spots
Saturday June 25 2022 The bigger class of Sheepshead has arrived at the Bonner Bridge Pier this week we have weighed several large fish the last (
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I fished again with the Sorah's today Chris and his dad Ken but this time Chris's wife Melanie joined the crew. We met north up at Dee Dee Bar (
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After a weekend off I was back to work today when I met David Bolton and his daughter Katie out at his place on Lanceford Creek. We then made (
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Starting off this beautiful Monday morning in Palm Coast myself and my clients decided to go look for some redfish with a high tide I knew wher (
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We are seeing some really big sea mullet being caught along the beaches of the Outer Banks. Our fishing charters are doing good also. Our sport (
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Jason and Joshua (from Hickory NC) caught their share of Sheepshead today near the Bonner Bridge using sand fleas. Jason’s Sheepshead weighed i (
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We have had some nice size bluefish catches along the OBX beach. Also are getting sea mullet spot and red drum. Picture of our customers with s (
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We just got a load of Fresh Mullet and Live Fiddler Crabs. The weather is beautiful and the fishing is beginning to get good! Little Bridge has (
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Man oh man are we happy to be fishing again. This past weeks gale has really thrown everyone in a loop! A little rocky out there but 11 of our (
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Empty Creek - 5/14/2022 10:22:00 PM
There's nothing like coming to the marina in the morning seeing an empty creek with a slick sheer sound back view. All of our offshore boats ma (
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