Best Times & Seasons to Catch Sheepshead in Texas
Sheepshead are some of the most popular fish to target in Texas. Knowing the best times and seasons to catch sheepshead in Texas helps anglers maximize the success of their fishing trips.
The best times to catch sheepshead in Texas are in late winter to early spring, especially during early morning and late afternoon. These fish are often found near jetties, piers, and underwater structures.
Texas offers world-class sheepshead fishing throughout the year. Sheepshead can be found in Texas’s jetties, piers, and underwater rock formations. Consult this comprehensive guide for the top fishing times in Texas.
Best Times to Catch Sheepshead in Texas
If you want to catch sheepshead in Texas, late winter to early spring is the best time. That’s when they come closer to shore to spawn, or lay their eggs. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to fish for them. You’ll often find sheepshead near structures like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks.
Check out this helpful guide to the best times to catch many pompano in Texas. You may also be interested in this article on the fishing for grouper in the best times.
Seasonal Breakdown: Sheepshead Texas
Winter
Winter can be a good time to catch sheepshead in Texas, especially in the late winter when they come closer to shore to spawn. Your best chances to catch them are early or late afternoon. You’ll find sheepshead around structures like piers, jetties, or underwater rocks, where they feel safe. The water is cooler, so the fish might be less active, but using live bait like shrimp or crabs can help attract them.
Spring
Spring is one of the best times to catch sheepshead in Texas. They come closer to shore to spawn or lay their eggs, during late winter to early spring. The early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times of the day to find them. Sheepshead love to be near places with lots of structure, like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks. Live bait like shrimp or crabs works well to attract these fish.
Summer
In Texas, summer is hot, but you can still catch sheepshead. The best times are early morning or late evening when the water is cooler. Sheepshead like to stay close to structures like piers, jetties, or places with underwater rocks. Because it’s so hot, the fish may move to deeper waters to stay cool. Using live bait like shrimp or crabs can make you more successful in catching them.
Fall
Catching sheepshead in the fall can be more challenging in Texas because they’re not as easy to find as in the spring. Your best chances are in the early morning or late afternoon when the water is cooler.
Sheepshead often like places with structures like piers, jetties, or underwater rocks. Since the water is getting cooler in the fall, the fish may be more active as they prepare for winter. Using live bait like shrimp or crabs can help you catch them.
Best & Worst Time/Tides of Day
Catching sheepshead in Texas can depend on the time of day and the tides. The best times of day are usually early morning and late afternoon. That’s when the fish are most active and looking for food. Midday is often the worst time because the sun is bright and the water gets warmer, making the fish less active.
Tides can also affect your fishing success. During high tide, sheepshead often come closer to shore to look for food. Low tide is usually not as good for catching them because they move away to deeper waters.
You’ll mostly find sheepshead near structures like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks. They like These places because it’s easier for them to hide and find food.
Recommended Fishing Guides in Texas
These Texas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and will put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Grace Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Drift Water Charters | South Padre Island, TX |
| The Bay Bandits | Port O’Connor, TX |
| Galveston Offshore | Galveston, TX |
| Lil Joe’s Guide Service | Port Aransas, TX |
| Bravo Zulu Fishing Charters | Galveston, TX |
| Team Liberty Guide Service | Corpus Christi, TX |
| SeaPlay Sportfishing | Galveston, TX |
| Bodes Bay Fishing | Port Isabel, TX |
Night Fishing for Texas Sheepshead
Sheepshead fishing is slower at night. These fish are usually more active during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon. They’re often less active at night and stay close to their favorite spots like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks. Using live bait like shrimp or crabs might make it easier to attract them when it’s dark.
Top Texas Sheepshead Locations
Galveston Bay: One of the best spots in Texas to catch sheepshead. Spring and late winter are great seasons here, especially near piers and jetties. Use live bait like shrimp or crabs early in the morning or late afternoon.
Corpus Christi: Another hot spot for sheepshead, especially around the jetties and underwater rocks. Late winter to early spring is the best time to fish here.
Matagorda Bay: Best fished in the early morning or late afternoon during the spring. Look for sheepshead near places where they can hide, like pilings or underwater structures.
Aransas Bay: This bay is great for sheepshead in the springtime, especially in the morning or late afternoon. Fish near jetties and pilings for the best results.
South Padre Island offers good sheepshead fishing, particularly near docks and pilings. Late winter and early spring are the ideal seasons.
Sabine Lake: Look for sheepshead around man-made structures. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times, especially in spring.
Port Isabel: Fish near jetties and underwater rocks, especially in the late winter to early spring. Early morning or late afternoon works best.
San Antonio Bay: Good for sheepshead in the early morning or late afternoon, especially during the spring season. Fish near structures like jetties and pilings.
Freeport: This area has good fishing spots near underwater rocks and man-made structures. Springtime is the best time to fish, especially late winter to early spring.
Rockport: Another great location for sheepshead, especially around docks and jetties. Late winter to early spring are the best seasons.
Texas Sheepshead & Weather
Weather can affect your chances of catching sheepshead in Texas. On sunny and calm days, the fish might stay closer to the bottom or hide near structures like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks. They don’t like the bright sunlight, so early morning and late afternoon are usually better times to fish on those days.
Cloudy and overcast days might be better for sheepshead fishing. The fish are more likely to be active and looking for food when the sky is cloudy. However, it’s usually not a good idea to go fishing if it’s too windy or stormy. The waves can make it hard to fish and it can be dangerous. Cold fronts can make the fish less active, but they’ll start looking for food again once the weather stabilizes.
Texas Sheepshead Spawning Season
Sheepshead fish in Texas usually spawn from late winter to early spring. You’ll find more of them around February to April because they come closer to shore to lay their eggs. During spawning, they’re often near structures like piers, jetties, and underwater rocks. This is when they’re laying their eggs, making them easier to find and catch.
