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Bield:Fish
Single-species migration calendar

Sheepshead in North Carolina Southern Coast may fishing.

Archosargus probatocephalusSeasonal MovementGood

Resident fish on inshore structure.

Year-round calendar

Each month encodes typical migration status. The current month is outlined in gold. Tap a cell for the month-specific note and water temperature.

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Spawning concentrations at jetties and inlets. Typical water temp: 50–58°FGoodFeb — Good Peak spring spawn — fish at passes. Typical water temp: 54–62°FGoodMar — Good Spawning continuing. Typical water temp: 60–66°FGoodApr — Good Fish dispersing back to structure. Typical water temp: 64–70°FGoodMay — Good Resident fish on inshore structure. Typical water temp: 68–76°FGoodJun — Fair Summer fish on docks, pilings. Typical water temp: 76–82°FFairJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FFairAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FFairSep — Good Fish feeding heavily before winter. Typical water temp: 76–82°FGoodOct — Good Strong fall fishing on docks and structure. Typical water temp: 68–74°FGoodNov — Good Fish moving to inlets and passes for spawn. Typical water temp: 60–66°FGoodDec — Good Pre-spawn concentration on passes. Typical water temp: 54–60°FGood

Migration pattern

Same pattern with peak spawning concentrations at inlets and passes February–April. Resident year-round on docks and pilings.

Best locations

  • Cape Fear River mouth
  • Masonboro Inlet
  • Wrightsville Beach jetties
  • Topsail Inlet

Top lures

  • Live fiddler crabs
  • Peeled shrimp
  • Barnacles
  • Sand fleas
  • Small jigs tipped with shrimp
Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year to year. Cross-reference NOAA marine forecasts and a local source the week of your trip.

Sheepshead in other regions

Get a notification when sheepshead show up.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data and water temperature readings to species arrival windows so you're on the water the day they arrive in North Carolina Southern Coast.

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