Archosargus probatocephalus
Deep, compressed body with 5-7 bold black vertical bars on a silvery-gray background. The most remarkable feature is their teeth — front incisors look almost human, backed by molars designed for crushing shells. Dorsal fin has sharp spines. Overall body shape is similar to a freshwater sunfish.
Males and females look similar in body shape and bars. During spawning season (late winter/spring), males develop darker coloring. Both sexes reach similar maximum sizes.
Average catch is 12-16 inches (2-4 lbs). Quality fish run 16-20 inches (4-7 lbs). Trophy sheepshead exceed 20 inches and 8+ lbs. The world record is 21 lbs 4 oz, caught in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1982.
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.
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.
Minimum size limit is typically 12 inches total length with 15 fish bag limits in most states. Relatively liberal regulations due to healthy populations.
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with your charter captain or state wildlife agency before fishing.
Florida · Northeast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
South Carolina · Lowcountry
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Virginia · Eastern Shore
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Nature Coast
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Virginia · Eastern Shore
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Space Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Florida · Panhandle
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
Florida · Southwest
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Upper Coast
Texas · Upper Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Alabama · Gulf Coast
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Florida · Nature Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Northeast
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Keys
Florida · Keys
South Carolina · Lowcountry
Louisiana · Southwest Louisiana
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Keys
Florida · Southwest
Texas · Mid Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Florida · Southeast
Alabama · Mobile Bay
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
South Carolina · Grand Strand
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Southwest
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Florida · Space Coast
Virginia · Hampton Roads
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
Alabama · Gulf Coast
North Carolina · Outer Banks
Florida · Panhandle
Mississippi · Gulf Coast
South Carolina · Grand Strand
Florida · Panhandle
Texas · Mid Coast
Louisiana · Cajun Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Texas · Lower Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Texas · Mid Coast
Florida · Southwest
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Space Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Texas · Lower Coast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
Florida · Northeast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Florida · Nature Coast
Florida · Southeast
Texas · Upper Coast
North Carolina · Crystal Coast
Florida · Tampa Bay
Florida · Tampa Bay
Georgia · Georgia Coast
Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
Virginia · Hampton Roads
Florida · Southeast
North Carolina · Cape Fear
North Carolina · Cape Fear
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