Bull Sheep
Diehard anglers willing to tough out February’s chilly breezes can face a commanding challenge from one of the most powerful fish of winter. Sheepshead, aka “convicts of the sea” for their striped outerwear, migrate from jagged inshore dwellings to reefs and wreck just a hop and skip outside the mouth of Bulls Bay. They arrive at these undersea retreats in massive schools to spend the winter, preparing for the early spring spawn. They become overly aggressive, contributing to the mind-blowing action that’s practically unknown to many South Carolina anglers.

Each fall, adult sheepshead vacate their inshore summer homes and travel out to sea in search of the nearest temperature-stable locations with adequate foods available to sustain them for the winter. When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, most will have vacated inshore areas, ultimately finding deep-water spots with structure and the 60- to 70-degree water that’s ideal for spawning.

Capt. Jordan Pate of Carolina Guide Service (843-814-7900) has success catching winter sheepshead around the wrecks and artificial reefs not too far from shore.

"Wrecks, artificial reefs, and hardbottom areas will hold wintering sheepshead. We usually start at the nearshore places in 30 to 40 feet...