The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Sheephead Semicossyphus pulcher
Sheephead Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 14–22 in, 3–8 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 3 ft and about 35 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 53 years |
| Range | Rocky Southern California coast and islands, from about Monterey Bay south into Baja and the Gulf of California, far more common south of Point Conception. |
| Habitat | Kelp beds and rocky reef, mostly 10–100 ft, holding tight to boulders and ledges. |
| Diet | Sea urchins, mussels, crabs and barnacles crushed off the rocks — shrimp, squid or a whole mussel matches it. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Sheephead
- Males: black head and tail, broad red/pink midbody, white lower jaw (chin)
- Females and juveniles: uniform dull pink to rosy-red
- Large protruding dog-like canine teeth at the front of the jaws
- Thick fleshy lips and a blunt forehead (fatty bump on big males)
- Deep, robust body with a long-based dorsal fin
Tell it apart: Protruding canine teeth plus the white chin and, in males, the black-red-black color blocks make California Sheephead unmistakable.
How to Catch Sheephead
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- Available year-round, best April through September — drop shrimp or whole crab on a dropper-loop rig tight to rocky reef and kelp roots.GearDropper-loop rigsLive-bait hooksRock-fishing rod
When & Where Sheephead Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Nearshore |
Sheephead Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.