Sheepshead Fishing in Texas
TPWD ratings, records and statewide rules for sheepshead.
- 15.25 lbstate record
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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The Texas story on sheepshead
Scientific name Archosargus probatocephalus, sheepshead is a saltwater fish in Texas. On rod and reel, the Texas record weighs 15.25 pounds from Lower Laguna Madre, set in 2002.
Finding sheepshead in Texas through the year
When
Spawns February and March in the Gulf near jetties, rock piles and reefs
Where they hold
Adults near pilings, rocks and jetties; young in shallow grassy areas
Sheepshead facts from the TPWD species profile.
The sheepshead rules in Texas
| Rule | Daily bag | Minimum | Maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheepshead | 5 | 15 in |
Sheepshead limits from the TPWD Outdoor Annual 2026-27 (valid Sep. 1, 2026 through Aug. 31, 2027).
The biggest sheepshead on record in Texas
| Category | Weight (lb) | Length (in) | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bow fishing | 10.44 | 23.38 | Arroyo Colorado | 2024 |
| fly fishing | 8.25 | 21.5 | Aransas Bay | 2015 |
| rod and reel all tackle | 15.25 | 26.5 | Lower Laguna Madre | 2002 |
Sheepshead records: TPWD state records list, October 2026.
Inshore water for sheepshead
Bays with their own page: Upper Laguna Madre, Baffin Bay, Christmas Bay, West Matagorda Bay, Nueces Bay, St. Charles Bay, Copano Bay and Lower Laguna Madre.
- Goose Island State ParkRockport
- Cove ParkIngleside
- Bastrop Bayou Boat Ramp
- Swan Lake Boat RampSurfside Beach
- Village of Surfside Boat RampSurfside Beach
- Point Comfort City ParkPoint Comfort
- Puerto Del Sol R.V. ParkCorpus Christi
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Boat RampBayside
- White Memorail Park
- Clear Lake ParkTaylor Lake Village
Sheepshead spots: Texas General Land Office pier and coastal access inventory.
Texas sheepshead: what anglers ask
Which piers produce sheepshead in Texas?
Fish the coast from piers and jetties, with Goose Island State Park and Cove Park among the GLO listings here.
Where are sheepshead found along the coast?
The pages for Upper Laguna Madre, Baffin Bay and Christmas Bay list piers, ramps and guides.
Who can take me fishing for sheepshead in Texas?
You can choose from 212 inshore guides on the bay pages.
What is the heaviest sheepshead caught in Texas?
15.25 pounds, caught at Lower Laguna Madre in 2002, rod and reel all tackle.
What is the Texas limit on sheepshead?
You may keep 5 daily with a 15 inch minimum.
What time of year is best for sheepshead in Texas?
Spawns February and March in the Gulf near jetties, rock piles and reefs.
Where do sheepshead live in a lake?
Adults near pilings, rocks and jetties; young in shallow grassy areas.
Is a license required to target sheepshead in Texas?
Anyone 17 or over fishing for sheepshead needs the saltwater endorsement on a Texas license.
What Latin name do sheepshead have?
Archosargus probatocephalus.
Can I keep sheepshead caught from a state park pier?
Saltwater sheepshead limits apply, but state parks waive the license.