Sea fish
Sheepshead
Archosargus probatocephalus
Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.
- Habitat
- Iskele · yapay yapı · kayalık · resif · nehir ağzı
Best times of day
When in the day it bites best, month by month.
- Active by day
- Poor at night
In November
-
Dawn 80
Sunrise → 3 h after
-
Midday Best 85
2 h before midday → 3 h after
-
Dusk 65
2 h before sunset → sunset
Not productive at night
Moon phase
Effect of the moon on night fishing; the scores compare the phases.
- New moon 40
- First quarter 40
- Full moon 45
- Last quarter 40
Best phase: Full moon
Windows across 12 months
| Best times of day | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn | 45 | 45 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 80 | 45 |
| Midday | 95 | 95 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 85 | 85 | 95 |
| Dusk | 55 | 55 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 65 | 65 | 55 |
| Night |
Windows follow sunrise and sunset; clock times change with place and date. Scores are relative within the month: 100 is the best window of the day.
5 sources · confidence medium
Habitat
Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.
Depth
0–50 m
mostly 1–15 m
Water temperature
7–33 °C
ideal 18–26 °C
Salinity
Also enters brackish water
0–36.7 ‰
Shore types
- Delta / alluvial shore
- Cove / inner bay
- Rocky shore
- Breakwater / jetty
- Pier / quay
- Around marinas
- River / stream mouth
- Lagoon / weir mouth
- Inside harbours
- Harbour mouth
- Reclaimed shore
Bottom
Lives close to the bottom
- Rock
- Seagrass
Ranges from FishBase, AquaMaps and the literature; a general tendency, not a hard limit.
Confidence: shore type high, temperature medium
Bait and tackle suggestions
Recorded baits and fishing techniques.
Bait by month
Baits documented for shore fishing, month by month and by water clarity.
In November
Natural baits
- Shrimp
- Fiddler crab
- Barnacle
Lures
- Jighead + soft shrimp
- Feathered spoon
By water clarity
Rock / bottom omnivore — Picks up crustaceans, worms and weed. Wary; relies on smell and a natural look.
- Clear Visibility: over 8 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Barnacle · Very suitable Usually in this water: Live shrimp, tube worm, mud shrimp, mussel; thin line, small hidden hook; little chum. First lure: Jighead + soft shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: LRF micro soft plastic, imitation shrimp; very small, slow. Colour: Clear, Natural brown, Red
- Slightly coloured Visibility: 4–8 m
- Natural first, lures also work First natural bait: Barnacle · Very suitable Usually in this water: Shrimp, worm, mussel; normal pieces. First lure: Feathered spoon · Very suitable Usually in this water: LRF/micro soft plastic, imitation shrimp. Colour: Pink, White, Red
- Moderately coloured Visibility: 2–4 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Very suitable Usually in this water: Mussel, crab, sardine pieces with chum (crushed mussel or bread). First lure: Jighead + soft shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Scented soft plastic (Isome/Gulp type); slow, on the bottom. Colour: Fluorescent, Pink
- Murky Visibility: 1–2 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Suitable Usually in this water: Crab, mussel, razor clam; bottom rig; strong scent. First lure: Jighead + soft shrimp · Weak Usually in this water: Weak; scented soft plastic only. Colour: Fluorescent, Dark silhouette, Red
- Very murky Visibility: under 1 m
- Natural bait First natural bait: Shrimp · Weak Usually in this water: Mussel, crab, cut bait; big pieces. First lure: Jighead + soft shrimp · Not recommended
12-month bait calendar
- January
- Natural baits: Fiddler crab, Mole crab, Barnacle, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- February
- Natural baits: Fiddler crab, Mole crab, Barnacle, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- March
- Natural baits: Fiddler crab, Mole crab, Barnacle, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- April
- Natural baits: Fiddler crab, Mole crab, Barnacle, Shrimp Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- May
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- June
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- July
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- August
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- September
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- October
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- November
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
- December
- Natural baits: Shrimp, Fiddler crab, Barnacle Lures: Jighead + soft shrimp, Feathered spoon
This is the usual pattern; the water and weather on the day can change it. Colour is fine-tuning: bait type, size and action come first. Confidence: natural high, lures medium. Colour and presentation guide
Fishing rules
The regulation holds no separate minimum size or closed season entry for this species. The provisions for Türkiye as a whole apply.
Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Archosargus probatocephalus
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Other names
- Sheepshead
