Waterlands

Species guide · Alabama

Sheepshead fishing in Alabama

Archosargus probatocephalus, an inshore species also called convict fish, sheepie and bait stealer. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Off season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Mississippi Sound at 35, one of 4 Alabama bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Off season
Where it's scoring nowAll Alabama waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Eastern Gulf

Off season, about 1 more week
  1. Jan: Shoulder season
  2. Feb: Peak season
  3. Mar: Peak season
  4. Apr: Peak season
  5. May: Shoulder season
  6. Jun: Off season
  7. Jul: Off season
  8. Aug: Off season
  9. Sep: Off season
  10. Oct: Shoulder season
  11. Nov: Shoulder season
  12. Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: Feb to Apr. In season (shoulder or peak): Oct to May.

Research notes, Eastern Gulf region

UF/IFAS lists late winter through spring as peak, when fish gather on nearshore reefs, jetties and bridges to spawn. Present around docks and oyster bars year-round.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 4

Alabama bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's sheepshead score this hour.

1
35Fair
Mississippi Sound

Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 4 AM (35) · 53 named spots

2
35Fair
North Mobile Bay

Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 33 named spots

3
35Fair
Perdido Bay Area

Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 20 named spots

4
35Fair
South Mobile Bay

Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 12 AM (35) · 21 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature
Feeds from 50°F to 86°F, best between 56°F and 74°F.
Water depth
2 to 50 ft of water.
Structure
Jetty, pier, bridge, oyster, reef, wreck and channel, in that order of preference.
Tide and current
Prefers moving water, with light current.Sheepshead feed on any moving tide, but vertical fishing tight to pilings and jetty rocks is easiest with light current. Strong current drags baits away from the structure and hides the light bite. The last of a tide and early turn are often best.
Light
Little tied to dawn and dusk.
Pressure
Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits
18 kt of wind and 4 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Sheepshead graze barnacles and crabs off pilings, jetty rocks, bridge supports, oyster bars and nearshore reefs, from a few feet deep out to about 50 feet. Drop a fiddler crab, sand flea or piece of shrimp on a small, strong hook straight down next to the structure with just enough weight to hold bottom. The bite is a light tap, so keep the line tight and set the hook fast.

Methods
vertical bottom fishing, jig and bait, dock and piling fishing
Lures
small jighead tipped with bait, fiddler crab jig
Bait
fiddler crab, sand flea (mole crab), live or fresh shrimp, barnacles, hermit crab, oyster

Regulations

ADCNR Marine Resources saltwater regulations Buy a Alabama fishing license License types

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division. Synced with ADCNR Marine Resources Sep 18, 2026.

No reviewed sheepshead rule for Alabama is on file yet. Check with ADCNR Marine Resources before you keep one.

Other Alabama species