Sheepshead in Florida
sheepshead rules, records and best waters.
- 15.13 lbrecord
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Florida Sheepshead guide
Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) is managed by FWC as a saltwater species. The Florida record sheepshead weighed 15.13 pounds (Homosassa, 1981).
The sheepshead profile
Habitat of sheepshead
“Coastal waters near structure such as oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks.”
“They move nearshore during late winter and early spring for spawning.”
What sheepshead eat
“Fractional spawners (they only lay a portion of their eggs at a time) in inshore waters, typically in March and April.”
“They are omnivorous feeding mostly on crustaceans and small fish.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida sheepshead limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 8 a day | 12 in minimum | Open year-round |
Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April. State regulations extend into federal waters.
FWC saltwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record sheepshead
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| All tackle | 15.13 | Homosassa | 1981 |
| Fly | 8.88 | Jacksonville | 2008 |
| Youth | 4.7 | Apollo Beach | 2026 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida bays for sheepshead
Big Bend region
- Alligator HarborFranklin
- Apalachee BayWakulla
- Deadman BayTaylor
- Ochlockonee BayFranklin, Wakulla
- Suwannee SoundLevy
- Waccasassa BayLevy
- Withlacoochee BayLevy
Charlotte Harbor region
- Charlotte HarborCharlotte, Lee
- Estero BayLee
- Gasparilla SoundCharlotte, Lee
- Lemon BayCharlotte, Sarasota
- Matlacha PassLee
- Pine Island SoundLee
- San Carlos BayLee
Indian River Lagoon region
- Banana RiverBrevard
- Hobe SoundMartin
- Indian River (Indian River Lagoon)Brevard, Indian River
- Jupiter SoundMartin, Palm Beach
- Loxahatchee River estuaryMartin, Palm Beach
- Mosquito LagoonBrevard, Volusia
- St. Lucie River estuaryMartin, St. Lucie
Northeast region
- Cumberland SoundNassau
- Halifax RiverVolusia
- Matanzas RiverFlagler, St. Johns
- Nassau SoundDuval, Nassau
- Tolomato RiverSt. Johns
Panhandle region
- Apalachicola BayFranklin
- Big LagoonEscambia
- Blackwater BaySanta Rosa
- Choctawhatchee BayOkaloosa, Walton
- East Bay (Bay County)Bay, Gulf
- East Bay (Franklin County)Franklin
- East Bay (Santa Rosa County)Santa Rosa
- Escambia BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- North Bay (Bay County)Bay
- Pensacola BayEscambia, Santa Rosa
- Perdido BayEscambia
- Santa Rosa SoundEscambia, Okaloosa
- St. Andrew BayBay
- St. Andrew SoundBay
- St. George SoundFranklin
- St. Joseph BayGulf
- St. Vincent SoundFranklin, Gulf
- West Bay (Bay County)Bay
Sarasota Bay region
- Little Sarasota BaySarasota
- Palma Sola BayManatee
- Roberts Bay (Siesta Key)Sarasota
- Roberts Bay (Venice)Sarasota
- Sarasota BayManatee, Sarasota
Southeast region
- Barnes SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Biscayne BayMiami-Dade
- Card SoundMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Florida BayMiami-Dade, Monroe
- Lake Worth LagoonPalm Beach
Southwest region
- Chokoloskee BayCollier
- Fakahatchee BayCollier
- Naples BayCollier
- Ponce de Leon BayMonroe
- Whitewater BayMonroe
Tampa Bay region
- Boca Ciega BayPinellas
- Clearwater HarborPinellas
- Hillsborough BayHillsborough
- Old Tampa BayHillsborough, Pinellas
- St. Joseph SoundPinellas
- Tampa BayHillsborough, Manatee
Other Florida saltwater fish
What anglers ask about sheepshead
What is the daily limit for sheepshead in Florida?
8 a day (Statewide), size: 12 in minimum.
Who holds the Florida sheepshead record?
The record weighed 15.13 pounds (1981).
Where should I fish for sheepshead?
Use the bay and county lists above to find sheepshead.
Where does FWC stock sheepshead?
Not in the 2021-22 to 2023-24 reports for sheepshead.
How big must a sheepshead be for a Big Catch?
sheepshead are not in the Big Catch program.
What is the scientific name of sheepshead?
Archosargus probatocephalus.
Is a license required for sheepshead?
A saltwater license, required from age 16 unless exempt.
When can I keep sheepshead?
sheepshead are open all year.
How current is the sheepshead information?
FWC data, checked October 2026.