Sheepshead

US fish and state coverage

Archosargus probatocephalus

A state link is a recorded source association, not a catch guarantee or confirmation that targeting is legal. Check current regulations with the responsible state agency.

Peak months
Jan · Feb
Typical depth
dock/bridge depths; nearshore rock piles ft
Typical size
Up to 36 inches; commonly up to 13 inches
Catch minimum
National record

See state records · Browse all fishing records

Biology, seasons and size reflect the canonical source record, which may contain Florida context. They are not state-specific guidance for every linked state. Missing fields remain unfilled.

Overview

Habitat summary
Coastal waters near structure such as oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks. They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning.
Diet
feeding mostly on crustaceans and small fish.
Aliases
convict fish
Water type
saltwater

When to fish

Peak months
Jan · Feb
Good months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Seasonality
They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning. · FWC Where-to-Fish best times (regional): Late winter, spring; Late winter-early spring; Winter; Fall-spring · Year-round presence/fishing opportunity (intentional display).
Bite time of day
High tides and low-light morning/evening; light bite—wait for taps (UF/IFAS).
Best time of day
high tides; low-light morning/evening (UF/IFAS cited in existing CSV); daytime structure
Tide effect
moving tide around pilings and rock structure
Preferred tide
moving around pilings; slack sometimes preferred to feel light bite
Tide notes
Existing CSV/UF: high tides and low-light morning/evening; moving tide around pilings. Pensacola Fishing Forum thread titles/synthesis: slack tide can make light taps easier to detect. Tension: moving water brings food vs slack for bite detection—both cited.
Water temp notes
No FWC numeric preferred band. Move nearshore late winter–early spring to spawn (FWC). Panhandle bridge bite emphasized Nov–Feb in guide/forum notes (existing CSV).
Wind preference
any fishable; winter bridge often windy Panhandle
Pressure notes
Not well documented specifically.

Where to fish

Habitat summary
Coastal waters near structure such as oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks. They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning.
Habitat zone
inshore
Fishing zone
inshore
Structure types
bridge piling · jetty · oyster bar · seawall · rock pile · tidal creek · nearshore rock · barnacle structure
Water clarity salinity notes
Structure-oriented; barnacle-encrusted. Clear helps see fish on rocks.
Current flow notes
Moving water around pilings delivers food; too much swing makes light bite hard.
Typical depth
dock/bridge depths; nearshore rock piles ft

How to catch

Techniques
Use live shrimp, sand fleas or fiddler crabs on a small hook fished on the bottom. When cleaning, beware of the sharp gill covers.
Reel type
spinning (light–medium)
Drag gear notes
Small hooks; sensitive setup; light drag initially then clamp. Shrimp-tipped jigs.

Bait & lures

Preferred bait
Use live shrimp, sand fleas or fiddler crabs on a small hook fished on the bottom.
Preferred lures
small jigs tipped with shrimp near structure
Bait live
live shrimp · sand fleas · fiddler crabs
Bait dead
barnacle scrapings
Lures
small shrimp-tipped jigs

Size

Typical size
Up to 36 inches; commonly up to 13 inches

Records

Recorded catches retain their source scope; state and world catches are not national records.

state record evidence

Source context: Florida

Record type
florida state
Record weight lb
15.13
Record location
Homosassa
Record date
01/29/1981
Record angler
Eugene Lechler
Record catch text
15.13 lb; by Eugene Lechler; on 01/29/1981; at Homosassa

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Related states & places

Place links are planning context, not proof of local species presence. Florida city links marked local context follow existing directory relationships, not catch reports.

Source-linked directories

Real local listings currently cover Florida only. Boat-ramp, charter and creator links below follow existing Florida species relationships. Bait-shop links are city context only, not species-targeting evidence.

Boat ramps — Florida

Selected examples from 961 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida boat ramps directory

Charter captains — Florida

Selected examples from 8 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida charter captains directory

Bait shops — Florida

Selected examples from 591 source-linked city-context records.

Browse the Florida bait shops directory

Fishing creators — Florida

Selected examples from 81 source-linked directory records.

Browse the Florida fishing creators directory

Related species

Navigation links share a recorded scientific genus or a source state and water-type grouping. This is not a claim of identical habitat or legal targeting.

Source evidence by state

Legacy Florida source profiles

LoveToFish is a national fishing guide. Fish species coverage spans all 50 states. Ramp, charter, bait shop, and creator directories currently cover Florida. Verify current local regulations with the responsible agency.