Sheepshead

Targeting sheepshead around Bridgeport, Alabama, offers a unique saltwater fishing experience, even though you're relatively far inland. Focus your efforts in the Mobile Bay delta and the lower reaches of the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers. These brackish waters hold surprisingly large sheepshead, particularly around submerged structure like docks, pilings, and oyster beds. The best time to fish for them is during the spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate and the fish are actively feeding. A local tip: use fiddler crabs or shrimp as bait, presented close to the structure. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so use a small, sharp hook and be quick to set it. Access to these areas is readily available via several public boat ramps along the causeway and in nearby communities. Remember that tidal flow significantly impacts fishing success, so pay attention to tide charts and plan your trips accordingly. The sheepshead here tend to be quite wary, so lighter fluorocarbon leaders can make a big difference.