Sheep's Head
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Archosargus probatocephaus

There are three species of sheepshead and the probatocephaus type can be found from Nova Scotia south to the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The second subspecies, oviceps, can be found from northeastern Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The third species aries, can be found from British Honduras to Brazil. They are silvery in color, darker above than below, and there are 5 to 6 dark vertical bars on the side which sometimes makes this fish called the "Convict Fish."

Like a Pinfish the sheepshead has a strong incisor teeth, unnotched, so that the adults can pick up mollusks and crabs and to scrape barnacle off pilings and rocks. Young sheepshead live on grassy flats and feed on softer animals and plant food. Spawning is known to take place offshore in the spring.

Sheepshead are a popular game and food fish in some places but particularly in Florida. Some fisherman think of them as a challenge to catch. They may reach as big as 2 feet in size. They are a very suspicious quarry, and when found the angler may chum the area to stir them into feeding. Fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, shrimp and sand bugs are a good bait. They can be found in deep channels in creek entrances with rocky bottoms and can be taken on a small jig tipped with bait or small flies on the flats. They are an excellent table fish to eat.