Capt. James Vadas
Archosargus probatocephalus, more commonly known as sheepshead. The sheepshead is one of many beautiful types of fish found around the bridges, jetties, oyster bars, and rock piles of the waters surrounding Anna Maria Island. Sheepshead have unmistakable black and white stripes and a mouthful of teeth that oddly look human. When the water temperature drops to the 60’s you can count on some awesome sheepshead fishing around Anna Maria Island. It’s one of the favorite types of fishing visiting families will experience. Winter break until spring break is a typical sheepshead run. We practice a release of big females. It’s obvious when they are full of eggs, so it’s a good practice to keep healthy numbers of these delicious fish so we can enjoy them for years to come. The current bag limit is 8 fish per person and they has to be at least 12 inches. Sheepshead are mature at 2 years and can live more than 20 years. The current World Record is 21 pounds and the current Florida record is 15. Recently a Florida fisherman caught a 17 pounder and had it for dinner and ate the record breaker before weighing it on a certified scale. Shucks, at least he has a photo! We use medium-size gear, like 4000 series Penn combos spooled with 20 lb. braided line and a few feet of 20 lb. fluorocarbon leader, a #2 hook with a small split shot, and the tail of a live shrimp to catch sheepshead. I also will smash up barnacles and other types of crab and put it in a small sack made from an old piece of nylon stocking to hold it on a hook.
Sheepshead meat is delicious! They are known to primarily eat shellfish and so maybe that’s what gives them a shellfish flavor. I like to share a recipe called “Poor Man’s Lobster” with our guests after they load up the cooler with sheepshead. It simply calls for the fillets to be cooked in Sprite soda and butter. The firm white meat, with a sweetness, and butter really does taste like lobster! Check out the Poor Man’s Lobster video on YouTube. Captain James Living Water Charters. Tight lines and God bless.
Living Water Charters (941) 812-1245
