The author's big Sheepshead caught in Venice, Louisiana on a live shrimp
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
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Sheepshead Description
Sheepshead are a scrappy member of the porgy family. They are found in coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Brazil but are most common in Florida and the Gulf states. They are a popular fish due to their proximity to shore and good taste.
Sheepshead have a compressed body and some very sharp dorsal spines that you don't want to get poked with. They have several rows of teeth used to crush the crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps that they eat. The front teeth resemble human teeth.
Like many fish that primarily feed on shellfish, Sheepshead are very good to eat and taste somewhat like Snapper. They yield surprisingly little meat for their size, however, and are difficult to clean. They average around 3-4lbs in size but can reach double digits in weight (often farther from shore on oil rigs and other structures).
Sheepshead Tackle
These are not huge fish, so light tackle is in order. You can use spinning or baitcasting tackle with a rod tip that is not too whippy so that you can set the hook in their toothy mouths. Also, you need a little backbone in the rod to bring them in since they turn sideways and use their thick bodies to put up a lot of resistance. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Sheepshead Techniques
Sheepshead are usually found near some sort of cover or structure, including piers, jetties, and nearshore oil platforms. Sheepshead can be caught on lures, but the vast majority are caught on bait. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers and can be tough to hook. If you do a conventional hookset, you will usually pull the bait out of their mouths. The trick is the let them eat for a little while (not too long or they will just steal the bait) and then start reeling steadily and lift the rod up when you feel the weight. That will result in a lot more hooked Sheepshead.
Sheepshead Baits
Crabs work well for bait, in particular Fiddler Crabs. Live or dead shrimp also work well.
Where to get the big Sheepshead
Venice, Louisiana has a lot of big ones as does Galveston Bay in Texas.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Home
Other Species
Sheepshead Description
Sheepshead are a scrappy member of the porgy family. They are found in coastal waters from Nova Scotia to Brazil but are most common in Florida and the Gulf states. They are a popular fish due to their proximity to shore and good taste.
Sheepshead have a compressed body and some very sharp dorsal spines that you don't want to get poked with. They have several rows of teeth used to crush the crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps that they eat. The front teeth resemble human teeth.
Like many fish that primarily feed on shellfish, Sheepshead are very good to eat and taste somewhat like Snapper. They yield surprisingly little meat for their size, however, and are difficult to clean. They average around 3-4lbs in size but can reach double digits in weight (often farther from shore on oil rigs and other structures).
Sheepshead Tackle
These are not huge fish, so light tackle is in order. You can use spinning or baitcasting tackle with a rod tip that is not too whippy so that you can set the hook in their toothy mouths. Also, you need a little backbone in the rod to bring them in since they turn sideways and use their thick bodies to put up a lot of resistance. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Sheepshead Techniques
Sheepshead are usually found near some sort of cover or structure, including piers, jetties, and nearshore oil platforms. Sheepshead can be caught on lures, but the vast majority are caught on bait. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers and can be tough to hook. If you do a conventional hookset, you will usually pull the bait out of their mouths. The trick is the let them eat for a little while (not too long or they will just steal the bait) and then start reeling steadily and lift the rod up when you feel the weight. That will result in a lot more hooked Sheepshead.
Sheepshead Baits
Crabs work well for bait, in particular Fiddler Crabs. Live or dead shrimp also work well.
Where to get the big Sheepshead
Venice, Louisiana has a lot of big ones as does Galveston Bay in Texas.
A close up look at a Sheepshead's mouth. Perfect for crushing crustaceans.
The author and friend Gary with some hefty Sheepshead caught in Venice, Louisiana on shrimp. These ones headed to the frying pan.
A strikingly patterned Sheepshead caught in Galveston Bay, Texas.
Being a nearshore fish that readily bites bait put in front of them, Sheepshead can be a good fish to start kids on fishing.