Species
Sheepshead Fishing Charters
Sheepshead feed on barnacles and crabs around pilings, docks, jetties and reefs, mostly in the cooler months. 142 captains and guides in 35 towns list sheepshead. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the sheepshead
A deep, flat-sided fish with five or six bold black vertical bars, sharp dorsal and anal spines, and front teeth that look like human teeth. Black drum look similar when young but have chin barbels; spadefish have a shorter snout and rounder body.
- Scientific name
- Archosargus probatocephalus
- Also called
- Convict fish, sheepshead seabream
- Family
- Porgy family (Sparidae)
- Typical catch
- Most adults 1 to 8 pounds and about 14 to 18 inches
- How big they get
- Up to about 36 inches (91 cm) and 21 pounds (9.6 kg) per FishBase
- Where they live
- Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia south and throughout the Gulf; found coastwide in Texas, with the densest populations off southwest Florida.
- Habitat
- Inshore around pilings, jetties, piers, bridges, rock piles, wrecks and mangrove roots covered in barnacles and oysters; also tidal creeks and brackish water. Young fish live on seagrass flats and mud bottoms.
- Diet
- Barnacles, oysters, clams, mussels, crabs (including fiddler and blue crabs), shrimp, sea urchins and some small fish.
- Lifespan
- At least 20 years
- On the table
- Highly valued for fine white flesh and a mild flavor, but heavy scales and strong spines make it hard to clean and fillet.
Where
Where to catch sheepshead with a charter
Counts are captains who list sheepshead, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about sheepshead fishing
Things to know
- It is a skilled bait stealer that takes bait quickly, so it is hard to hook – stay alert.
- Watch the sharp fin spines and razor-edged gill cover when handling.
- Adults move offshore to spawn in late winter and spring (February-March in the Gulf), then return to nearshore waters and estuaries.
- Size and bag limits apply and have helped the Florida stock recover; check your state agency for current rules.
How charters catch them
- Fiddler crabs, barnacles, oysters, clams or shrimp fished tight to pilings
- Bait drifted across jetty rocks from an anchored boat
- Chumming with crushed oysters or crabs
- Hand lines, cane poles or light spinning tackle
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Sheepshead questions
Why is it called a convict fish?
Because of its bold black-and-white vertical bars.
Are sheepshead good to eat?
Yes. The flesh is white and mild, but the fish is tough to clean because of heavy scales and stout spines.
What is the bait for sheepshead?
Small crabs such as fiddler crabs, plus barnacles, oysters, clams and shrimp, fished right next to structure.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
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