Sheepshead(Archosargus probatocephalus)

Quick Facts

  • Other Names: Convict fish
  • Size Range: The sheepshead can grow quite large, up to 20 pounds, but the average size is from 2 to 6 pounds.
  • Native Species?: Yes
  • Food Value: The sheepshead is considered very good eating, and its meat is white and delicate.

State Record

  • Louisiana State Record: 21.25lbs
  • State Record Date: 8/14/1982
  • State Record Holder Wayne J. Desselle

The sheepshead is a member of the porgy family and one of the most well known of coastal fish. Its silver body with vertical black bars are distinct, but the sheepshead teeth are the most noteworthy. They have large incisors that they use to clip barnacles and shellfish off of marine structures. They then crush these hard-shelled prey with the large molars in the rear of their mouth. They consume the soft parts are consumed and discard the shell.

Sheepshead are normally found around any hard structures that are covered in their food. Bridges, jetties and inshore rigs and pipes are the most common places to find sheepshead, though they patrol the marsh at times.

Some of the most common baits used for sheepshead are fiddler crabs, sand fleas, shrimp and barnacles. Sheepshead are known for their ability to clean your hook without being detected so you must be on your toes for their light bite. Anglers often scrape the pilings to chum up sheepshead and gather them in numbers. Small but strong hooks are preferred, and tackle must be sufficient to pull the sheepshead out of their haunts.

Sheepshead Rules and Regulations

Not Regulated Click to Toggle

Not currently regulated by LDWF.

General Info:
Related Habitats:
Other Reef Fish Species: Mahogany Snapper Banded Rudderfish Wenchman Snapper Blackfin Snapper Nassau Grouper Goliath Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Red Snapper
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Related Fishing Methods

Dead bait consists of many different types of bait that is no longer alive. Dead bait is still attractive to many fish as they are normally feeding by smell and dead bait is the ticket for smell. Fresh cut fish, dead shrimp, half crab, shucked clam, cut squid and all popular examples of bait that will catch a wide variety of fish. Many sport fish that are predators, will gladly take the opportunity to slurp up a fresh dead bait. A redfish is equally happy to chase down a baitfish or slurp up a dead shrimp on the bottom. Dead bait has the benefit is being easy to obtain, maintain and transport, as opposed to live bait which takes livewells, quality water control and can be harder to obtain.

A style of fishing that utilizes a unique type of rods and reels. Long rods and simple reels allow for the presentation of “flies”, which are lures made of feather, fur, hair and synthetics. Different from conventional fishing, the weight of the line is used to carry the "lure" out whereas conventional methods use the weight of the lure to drag the line out. Flyfishing is said to be addictive and is growing in popularity.

Live bait is a term given to many different types of fish, crustaceans, insects and worms that are popular food items for fish and used by fishermen for bait. There are many benefits to live bait as well as a few cons. The pros normally out weigh the negatives, and live bait is widely used. The biggest benefit for fishermen is that they are using the real thing and often puts a fish's guard down. Small fish, crabs, shrimp, clams, crickets and the good ole earthworm are all used to entice a fish to the hook. The only negatives to live bait is just that, keeping it alive. Sometimes catching it can be a challenge, as only some species can be bought as live bait. No matter how you get it, live bait is a great way to target many types of fish.

The process of slowly searching the water and spotting fish, that you then present a bait too. Takes stealth and patience, but the visual reward is awesome. It is practiced on the flats for redfish as well as coastal areas for cobia and tripletail.