Target sheepshead …

These cold, wet and sometimes windy winter months along the Texas coast are a good time to target sheepshead. The sheepshead might not have the attraction of the favorite three inshore fish – speckled trout, redfish and flounder – but this member of the porgy family can sure put up a good fight. If you check the Guides’ fishing reports, many target the sheepshead as the fish for their customers.

Jetties and rock groins are prime locations to hook up with sheepshead. The fish forage along the submerged rocks, feeding on barnacles and crabs. Other prime locations are piers, pilings, boat docks and oil/gas wells.

Best baits and fishing method is using natural baits under a popping cork, or if you don’t mind losing some hooks, freelining along the bottom can produce the bigger, 3-5 pound fish. Standard in-shore fishing tackle works just fine. Fiddler and hermit crabs ranks as the number one baits for the fish. Second best is fresh peeled shrimp.