Louisiana · Cajun Coast
SHEEPSHEAD FISHING
IN COCODRIE
Cocodrie is an excellent destination for sheepshead fishing, with peak season in February, March and good catches in January, April, May. Book a charter and target sheepshead with local experts.
About Sheepshead Fishing in Cocodrie
The "convict fish" with distinctive black and white stripes. Found around structure and pilings, known for stealing bait.
Sheepshead are the "convict fish" of saltwater — instantly recognizable by their bold black and white vertical bars across a deep, compressed body. They are structure-oriented fish found around bridges, piers, jetties, pilings, and oyster reefs, where they use their remarkable human-like teeth to crush barnacles, crabs, and shellfish. Both males and females display the same striking striped pattern, though spawning males develop a darker overall coloration.
Scientific name: Archosargus probatocephalus
Sheepshead Seasonal Calendar — Cocodrie
Month-by-month availability for sheepshead in Cocodrie, LA.
How to Catch Sheepshead in Cocodrie
Techniques & Bait
Fiddler crabs are the #1 bait — threaded on a small, sharp hook (1/0-2/0 Owner Mosquito or similar) with minimal weight fished directly against pilings or structure. Live shrimp on a small jig (1/8-1/4 oz) works well too. The key is using the smallest hook possible and fishing as close to structure as you can — sheepshead are legendary bait stealers. Keep your rod tip low, maintain light tension, and set the hook at the slightest tick. Oyster shell pieces and barnacles scraped from pilings as chum can attract schools.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-light rod (6'6"-7 ft), 2500 reel, 10 lb braid, 15-20 lb fluorocarbon leader, small sharp hooks (1/0-2/0). Sensitivity is critical — you need to feel the subtle "thief" bites.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Cocodrie
Top spots where local captains target sheepshead and other inshore species.
Lake Felicity
Lake Felicity lies just south of Cocodrie in the heart of the Terrebonne Parish marsh, offering outstanding sight-fishing for redfish tailing on shallow mud flats and grass shorelines. Speckled trout and flounder also populate the lake's deeper pockets and connecting bayou channels where tidal flow concentrates baitfish. The lake's proximity to Cocodrie's marinas makes it one of the quickest and most productive inshore destinations accessible from this end-of-the-road fishing village.
Bayou Grand Caillou
Bayou Grand Caillou is the main waterway running through Cocodrie and south into the lower Terrebonne Parish marsh, serving as the lifeline for both commercial and recreational fishermen. The bayou's deeper bends, dock pilings, and adjacent marsh ponds hold redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, and drum in reliable numbers year-round. Anglers idling down the bayou and casting to shoreline structure can expect consistent action within minutes of leaving the dock.
Four Point Bayou
Four Point Bayou branches off the main channel south of Cocodrie and winds through some of the most pristine marsh habitat in Terrebonne Parish. The bayou's isolated ponds and grass-lined drains hold trophy redfish that see minimal fishing pressure due to the area's difficult access and shallow water. Poling a skiff through Four Point Bayou on a calm morning offers world-class sight-fishing for tailing redfish in a true Louisiana marsh wilderness setting.
Lake Raccourci
Lake Raccourci is a shallow interior lake in the marsh south of Cocodrie, connected to the surrounding bayou system by narrow channels that fill and drain with the tides. Redfish congregate along the lake's oyster-studded shorelines and grass points, feeding on shrimp and small crabs pushed into the lake by incoming tides. The lake is a reliable inshore destination when southeast winds make the more exposed bays and open water unfishable.
Other Species in Cocodrie
More fish you can target while visiting Cocodrie.
Sheepshead Fishing in Cocodrie — FAQ
The peak months for Sheepshead fishing in Cocodrie are February, March. During these months, Sheepshead are most active and abundant in the Cocodrie area.
Sheepshead fishing charters in Cocodrie are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Fiddler crabs are the #1 bait — threaded on a small, sharp hook (1/0-2/0 Owner Mosquito or similar) with minimal weight fished directly against pilings or structure. Live shrimp on a small jig (1/8-1/4 oz) works well too. The key is using the smallest hook possible and fishing as close to structure as you can — sheepshead are legendary bait stealers. Keep your rod tip low, maintain light tension, and set the hook at the slightest tick. Oyster shell pieces and barnacles scraped from pilings as chum can attract schools.
No — when you book a charter in Cocodrie, your captain provides all required Louisiana fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Sheepshead regulations in Louisiana include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Sheepshead in Cocodrie, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Mangrove Snapper, Red Snapper. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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