nearshore

Sheepshead

Archosargus probatocephalus

Spring spawning aggregations on structure. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, oysters on small jigs. Subtle bite, fast hookset.

Preferred water temp50–80°F

Preferred depth5–50 ft

Peak monthsFeb, Mar, Apr

Holds onpilings, bridges, jetties, oyster bars, rocky bottom

In our regions

Northeast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBig Bend — GulfNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 31, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 10 of 10 regulations

GA_ATLANTIC

Georgia — State waters (0–3 nm) · GA DNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 8 / angler / day

8/person/day. No size limit.

Georgia DNR.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 8 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 50 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April only.

FL Gulf sheepshead: 8/day, 12" TL.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 10″ FL (fork length)

10/person/day, 10" FL min.

NC DMF.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 12" TL min.

Alabama CNR-MRD.

MS_GULF

Mississippi — State waters (0–3 nm) · MS DMR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 12" TL min.

Mississippi DMR.

LA_GULF

Louisiana — State waters (0–3 nm) · LDWF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

No bag limit, no size limit in LA.

Louisiana DWF.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 8 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 50 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April only.

FL Atlantic sheepshead: 8/day, 12" TL. Mar/Apr vessel cap 50.

STATE

All Florida — State + Federal

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 8 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 50 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 12″ TL (total length)

8/person, vessel max 50. State-water species (no federal limits).

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 10 / angler / day
Vessel limit: 30 total / vessel / day
Minimum: 10″ TL (total length)

10/person/day, 30/vessel, 10" TL min.

SC DNR.

TX_GULF

Texas — State waters (0–9 nm) · TPWD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 5 / angler / day
Minimum: 15″ TL (total length)

5/person/day, 15" TL min.

Texas Parks & Wildlife.