SHEEPSHEAD - Archosargus probatocephalus

Family Sparidae, PORGIES

Description: basic silvery color, with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bars on sides, not always the same on both sides; prominent teeth, including incisors, molars, and rounded grinders; no barbels on lower jaw; strong and sharp spines on dorsal and anal fins.

Similar fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus faber (black drum have barbels on lower jaw, sheepshead do not; vertical barring on sides of black drum and spadefish disappear as fish mature; spadefish have small, brush-like teeth).

Where found: INSHORE around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves NEARSHORE in late winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over rocks, artificial reefs, and around navigation markers.

Size: INSHORE, 1 to 2 pounds; OFFSHORE, common to 8 pounds.

Remarks: feeds on mollusks and crustaceans such as fiddler crabs and barnacles; famed nibblers, prompting the saying that "anglers must strike just before they bite."

Florida record: 15 lbs., 2 ozs.

Amberjack | Black Drum | Bluefish | Bonito | Cobia | Dolphin | Flounder | Grouper | King Mackerel | Marlin | Pompano | Redfish | Red Snapper | Sailfish | Sheepshead | Spanish Mackerel | Spotted Sea Trout | Tarpon | Triggerfish | Tuna | Vermilion Snapper | Wahoo | Weakfish |