Sheeps Head??

Question....I landed a 10 pound female sheep's head in my Yak off Lime Kiln over the weekend. I didn't know the regs because I have never caught one and I only had my rock cod cheat sheet with me. I now know it would have been a legal fish to keep, I released it, but my question is, how are they as a fish to eat?

I have received mixed reviews from info on the net but I think some of those were fresh water sheep's head and some were Atlantic sheep's head.

Any input? Should it be in my fridge waiting to provide a killer meal or is it better waiting to provide a great fight for the next Yak angler to hook into it?

I too have heard both discussions on taste. Some say like shit while the others say lobster...Lets ask Fuzz!

Look at my pic...they are very good!! Poor mans lobster... Have caught and eatin many...

Amazing, one of my favorite eating fish, right up there with same day halibut. They feed almost exclusively on crustaceans hence the lobster flavor.

It's probably been 20 years since I've had it, but from what i remember absolutely DELICIOUS!

They are pretty good but no lobster....I don't think they are even close.  I have heard that if you cook them in sprite or ginger ale its suppose to add a sweeter flavor closer to lobster.

They taste great! Definitely consider eating the next one. Good move to let'r go...better safe than sorry.
By chance, do you recall what you caught it on and how deep (-:
Thanks for the report!

Hi Drop em Down,

See page 36 of current regs for Sheephead dates & management zone info.  Min size 12", limit 5

Sheephead makes great fish tacos and ceviche.

Poach and shred wiht cocktail sauce and like a crab cocktail.  Captain on my Independence trip said to slap in food processor and they make fantastic crab cakes.

Whats the best way to coook em i caught an 18lb male last year an every way i tried to cook it it was mush only thing i did that held some texture was 45sec blanch in boiling Zaterans crab boil

An 18 lb'er is a big old goat.  Something like that is going to have to be doctored up (ala crab cake style/food processor mentioned above).  Big old bucks, longbeard turkeys, massive halibut....any of it can be eaten, but for quality I like 'em young. 

Ya only one ive caught tho Central coast theyre slim pickin's

All sheephead that I've eaten (4.5 to maybe 11 pounds, some male, some female) have been mushy. I always  keep hearing how they're supposed to be amazingly delicious and what not, so I always try a little piece or two cooked how I usually cook fish (not fried), and it's always the same.

 That said, I've found good ceviche and smoking recipes for them that make them pretty palatable.

If it's true that smaller ones do taste better, good luck finding one that size on the Central Coast (north of SLO). It's even more rare to catch them on hook and line up here as well. That's very interesting that you caught one... nice!

It was on a long range Patriot Sport Fishing boat down in Purisma near Santa Maria i believe

mush. i dont know why people say its good. its like my uncle thinks everything home grown and cooked is good. that is not always the case.