Where to fish for sheepshead
476 charters name sheepshead on their own website, across 156 towns in 2 states.
State records for sheepshead
The heaviest sheepshead each state has certified, biggest first.
| State | Weight | Where | Year | Angler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 21.25 lb | — | 1982 | Wayne J. Dessellesource |
| Mississippi | 19.62 lb | — | 1966 | Roy Groue Jr.source |
| North Carolina | 19.25 lb | Off Oregon Inlet | 1999 | Chris Robbinssource |
| New Jersey | 19.19 lb | Longport | 2014 | William Catinosource |
| Maryland | 18 lb | South Jetty, Ocean City Inlet | 2017 | Robert Martinsource |
| Delaware | 17.13 lb | — | 2014 | Dave Walkersource |
| Alabama | 16.41 lb | — | 2022 | Kendale M. Jeanssource |
| South Carolina | 16.38 lb | Mt. Pleasant | 2008 | J. Widenersource |
| New York | 15.81 lb | — | 9/24 | Joe Foster, Roslyn, NYsource |
| Texas | 15.25 lb | Lower Laguna Madre | 2002 | Wayne Gilstrapsource |
| Florida | 15.13 lb | Homosassa | 1981 | Eugene Lechlersource |
| Georgia | 14.9 lb | — | 2023 | Ben Golden IIIsource |
Each from that state's own records page, linked on every row. A location links to its town only where the agency named that town — a record logged to "Gulf of Mexico" or an offshore block belongs to no city. Weights are printed as the agency prints them. Records are certified by the state and can be broken at any time.
How big sheepshead run
Federal interviewers measured 1,234 of them on charter trips between 2022–2024. The middle half ran 11.5–17.9 inches, with a median of 14.4 inches.
Separately, MRIP's catch records for those trips count 1,568 kept and 1,431 released. That is a different tally from the fish that were measured, not a breakdown of them.
- Florida13.5" median, 582 measured
- Mississippi16.4" median, 258 measured
- North Carolina14.3" median, 211 measured
- Georgia11.8" median, 102 measured
NOAA Fisheries MRIP dockside interviews, 2022–2024. A sample of the fish boats brought in, not a total, and not a forecast for any one trip.
About the fish
FWC says they move nearshore in late winter and early spring to spawn, typically in March and April.
From FWC's species profile, checked Sep 2026.
Which rules apply to your trip
- One set of FWC rules covers Gulf and Atlantic state waters, and FWC says state regulations extend into federal waters, so the limits do not change offshore.
- The only seasonal rule is the boat limit: 50 per vessel per trip in March and April, which FWC says is typically when they spawn.
Harvest rules
When can you keep one in Florida?
Seasons and limits are set state by state, and these are Florida's. Sheepshead is caught by charters in 2 states on this page; ask your captain which rules apply where you are fishing.
Statewide
Florida state waters on both coasts, and adjacent federal waters.
- All anglersOpen year roundFWC.
Gear rules
Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Multiple hooks with natural bait are prohibited, and so is snatching.
Questions about sheepshead
What size sheepshead can I keep?
12 inches total length.
How many can I keep?
Eight per person per day.
Is there a boat limit?
Yes, in March and April: 50 per vessel per trip.
Is there a closed season?
No. FWC lists sheepshead as open year round.
Seasons, sizes and bag limits on this page were copied from FWC, sheepshead regulations and FWC, sheepshead profile in Sep 2026. Rules change, sometimes mid-season. Check the current rule with your captain or FWC before you keep a fish.