Species guide · Texas
Sheepshead fishing in Texas
Archosargus probatocephalus, an inshore species also called convict fish, sheepie and bait stealer. Listed for the Western Gulf region. Off season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Baffin Bay and Upper Laguna Madre at 35, one of 9 Texas bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Off seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Western Gulf
Off season, about 1 more week- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Peak season
- Mar: Peak season
- Apr: Peak season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Off season
- Jul: Off season
- Aug: Off season
- Sep: Off season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Shoulder season
Peak: Feb to Apr. In season (shoulder or peak): Oct to May.
Research notes, Western Gulf region
TPWD reports spawning in February and March near jetties, rock piles and reefs, with most fish moving out the passes in March and April. Galveston and Corpus Christi bays produce most of the Texas harvest. Active in cold weather when many inshore species slow down.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 9
Texas bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's sheepshead score this hour.
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 1 AM (35) · 14 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 61 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 37 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 97 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 5 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 2 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 8 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 51 named spots
Best window today 7 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Wed, Sep 16 at 12 AM (35) · 54 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
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Synced with TPWD Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed sheepshead rule for Texas is on file yet. Check with TPWD before you keep one.