Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Daily bag 5; minimum length 15 inches; no maximum listed. General possession limit is twice the daily bag.
Texas recreational state waters · Regulation reference 2026-09-01–2027-08-31. General license, gear and area restrictions still apply.
TPWD rule source ↗
Identify your catch
A deep silver body with strong vertical dark bars, sharp dorsal spines and conspicuous incisor-like teeth.
Habitat & biology
Adults use hard structure such as pilings, rocks and reefs. Young fish use shallow grassy habitat. Strong teeth allow feeding on barnacles and other small shellfish.
Fishing knowledge
TPWD identifies small crabs as commonly used bait. Expect sharp spines and handle the fish carefully.
Species-level knowledge, not current fishing activity or a bay-specific catch forecast.
TPWD species reference ↗Not Listed in Advisory for this named bay in the reviewed DSHS index. Nearby water may have different restrictions; this is not a safety guarantee.
Exact areas & meal guidance →Source scope
Aransas Bay system, including Copano Bay; record evidence is system-level
Recorded occurrence is historical evidence, not an abundance estimate or a promise of a common local catch.
Official species record evidence ↗Before you go
Sources & coastal evidence
Coastal reference review 2026-10-14. Record evidence: Aransas Bay system, including Copano Bay; record evidence is system-level. Historical records establish recorded occurrence, not current abundance. Artwork is illustrative scenery, not a geographical survey or a conditions feed.