Photo Claire Sunquist ©

Looking into the mouth of a sheepshead is a bit like looking into the mouth of a person. This fish has human-like incisors and strange looking molar teeth on the roof and bottom of its mouth. Sheepshead use these heavy-duty teeth to grind up blue crabs, oysters, and small fish.

Sheepshead move close to shore during the late winter and early spring to spawn. Fishermen usually catch them with fiddler crabs or shrimp near docks and bridges. Also known as “convict fish” because of their black and silver striped appearance and their tendency to steal bait off your hook, sheepshead are difficult to catch but delicious to eat.

                                                                                 Photo Claire Sunquist ©

Click here to learn more about how to catch these fish.

top of page | Home