Sheepshead: season, lures and limits

Showing the fish for Nature Coast and Big Bend, FL.

Fishing region

Season in Big Bend

Peak months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.

JFMAMJJASOND

FWC: nearshore spawning in late winter and early spring; the Florida record came from near Homosassa. Cedar Key Steel Tower named for sheepshead. (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

Oyster bars, rocks and structure such as the Cedar Key Steel Tower (FWC; Sport Fishing).

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

Excellent eating. Florida rules apply; the state record came from near Homosassa (FWC).

Recipes for sheepshead

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

Limits

FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.

Sources

Florida FWC species profile: sheepshead (Official source)
Sport Fishing, Chris Woodward, updated March 12, 2020: Cedar Key, Florida, feast of inshore fishing riches (Angler knowledge)
SCDNR Saltwater Fishing Trends (pier operator forecasts) (Angler knowledge)
SCDNR species profile: sheepshead (Official source)

All the fish of Big Bend

Sheepshead