Sheepshead: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for Charleston and the Lowcountry, SC.

Fishing region

Season in Charleston

Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Oct.

JFMAMJJASOND

SCDNR: year-round and non-migratory, concentrate in shallow water in late spring and late fall to early winter. SCDNR October forecast: at Edisto sheepshead should bite best of the year on fiddler crabs once water reaches the mid-70s F; in Charleston they become more consistent as temperatures drop. (Our inference)

Season by region

Myrtle Beach	JFMAMJJASOND
South Jersey	JFMAMJJASOND
Delmarva	JFMAMJJASOND
Virginia Beach	JFMAMJJASOND
Outer Banks	JFMAMJJASOND
Southern NC	JFMAMJJASOND
Charleston	JFMAMJJASOND
Georgia	JFMAMJJASOND
Northeast Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Space Coast	JFMAMJJASOND
Southeast Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Southwest Florida	JFMAMJJASOND
Tampa Bay	JFMAMJJASOND
Big Bend	JFMAMJJASOND
Panhandle	JFMAMJJASOND
Alabama	JFMAMJJASOND
Mississippi	JFMAMJJASOND
Louisiana	JFMAMJJASOND
Upper Texas	JFMAMJJASOND
Middle Texas	JFMAMJJASOND
Lower Texas	JFMAMJJASOND

Where to find them

Pier pilings and jetties.

Straight down on structure.

What to look for

Barnacle-covered structure.

What to throw

Tautog jig tipped with crab1/2 to 2 (up to 5 in deep or fast water) oz, Flat-sitting ball, football, banana or boxer head on a stout hook. Drop to the bottom and hold it still; if nothing bites, move to another part of the structure. Set hard when the line goes light or moves off.

Bait

Fiddler crabs, Sand fleas, Barnacles, Clams or oysters, Shrimp. 6 to 12 in of 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon, 1/0 to 2/0 strong hook, 1 to 2 oz, straight down the pilings.

Leader

Short 20 to 30 lb fluorocarbon.

Common mistakes

Fishing the open beach for them

Landing

Lift steadily away from the pilings.

Handling

Very strong dorsal and anal spines
Human-like teeth that bite

Fold the dorsal from front to back as you grip; keep fingers away from the mouth.

Keep or release

14 in minimum, 10 per person per day.

Recipes for sheepshead

Typical: About 14 in, 3 lb. Large: 8 lb and up. SC record 16 lb 6 oz (2008).

South Carolina limits

Minimum: 14 in TL
Maximum: none
Bag: 10 per person per day
Boat: 30 per boat per day
Season: Open year-round

Last checked 2026-10-11. A summary, not legal advice; the official rules win. SC Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations.

Sources

SCDNR species profile: sheepshead (Official source)
SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
SC finfish size and catch limits 2026-2027 (eRegulations, linked from SCDNR), last updated Aug 11, 2026 (Official source)

All the fish of Charleston

Sheepshead