Sheepshead

Clear Lake Shores offers some excellent opportunities to target Sheepshead, a frequently underrated but fun-to-catch species. These fish are abundant around docks, pilings, and oyster beds throughout the Clear Lake area and into Galveston Bay. The cooler months, from late fall through early spring, are generally the most productive times to target them, as they tend to congregate inshore for spawning. A great local tip is to fish around the numerous marinas and bridge pilings – these structures provide the perfect habitat for sheepshead. Use a small, sharp hook baited with shrimp, fiddler crabs, or even barnacles scraped directly from the pilings you're fishing. Sheepshead are notorious for their subtle bites, so pay close attention to your line and be ready to set the hook quickly. Light tackle is sufficient, but be sure to use a strong leader as they are masters at breaking you off on structure.