Photo courtesy of RateMyFish.com
This is the California Sheephead. The one pictured above is a bull, characterized by the darker, deeper color and the shape of that head. Being Winter, we’ve been talking soup a little on here lately. Supposedly, that head makes the best fish stock around! I’ve yet to add one of these to my species count, but I’ll have a chance to get some today in San Diego.
I’ll post more later, but in the meantime, you can read how to catch the Atlantic version of the Sheepshead today on EarthSports.
at 9:05 am
Nice! That’s a bit different than the common sheepshead here in the East. The ones out here look like they have baby teeth and they are absolutely delicious! I might have to try making stock next time I catch one.
at 7:16 am
Yeah, I think they only share the name. Sounds like yours are a pier fish. The ones out here are out a bit and hug the bottom. You’ll find them in the same area that you catch sand bass. Their preferred bait is fresh shrimp.
at 3:45 pm
I feel like I should do a follow up on this post. For whatever reason, it’s had a lot of legs and I’ve learned a lot about this fish both in how to catch and how it lives.