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:	889710 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	1/1/1830 12:00:00 AM and located at 27.83076, -97.06170.
Latest Record:	4/1/2025 3:49:00 PM and located at 30.66968, -81.46259.
Common Techniques:	Bottom Fishing
Popular Lure Types:	Bottom Rig
Fishing Spots:	1716 Sheepshead fishing spots.

Latest Sheepshead Fishing Reports and Spots

Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 3:27:44 PM

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Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 3:27:41 PM

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Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 7:31:16 AM

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Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 7:29:06 AM

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Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 7:09:14 AM

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Sheepshead - 5/7/2025 7:05:03 AM

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Catchup Report! 4/24-28 - 4/29/2025 4:58:47 PM

Body:  Still seeing some great fishing over the past few days despite the wind! Sheepshead continue biting for inshore boats and loading up the (View)

4/29/25 - 4/29/2025 9:12:00 AM

Body:  A little slower day offshore on Tuesday making boats work harder but they still managed to bring in nice catches of dolphin blackfin tun (View)

May 1-4 weekend report! - 5/5/2025 5:28:36 PM

Body:  A little rough weather over the past few days but we still had some boats going out! Lots of bluefish inshore along with nice red drum   (View)

Big Bertha Busts Bragging Rights - 4/30/2025 4:43:00 PM

 We had the prettiest day all week - sunshine with a just a cloud now and then not too hot not too cool and just a faint amount of breeze to ke (View)