Need advice on how to catch Sheepshead in FISHING-HOLE Classroom Forum

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Need advice on how to catch Sheepshead

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mudman	Need advice on how to catch Sheepshead		Lead	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 24 04/25/11 06:42 PM	Tags : None Found some sheepshead around pilings . . . I have no idea how to catch them . . . I mainly fish for trout - so I fish a lot of soft plastics, usually on a jighead. I tried a few different tricks (that I had with me at the time) - none of them worked. I got a ton of "nibbles" but couldn't hook up on them. I'm determined to change that next time I'm out there. What bait do I use for the sheeps? What type of rig should I use? Should I fish on bottom or under a float? I know those teeth are pretty funky - what type of hooks do you usually use for these guys? Hoping someone out there can give me some advice. Thanks!!
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shrimpcraz		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3521 04/25/11 06:49 PM - 1 Limits 2012 - 4 Limits 2011	mudman wrote: Found some sheepshead around pilings . . . I have no idea how to catch them . . . I mainly fish for trout - so I fish a lot of soft plastics, usually on a jighead. I tried a few different tricks (that I had with me at the time) - none of them worked. I got a ton of "nibbles" but couldn't hook up on them. I'm determined to change that next time I'm out there. What bait do I use for the sheeps? What type of rig should I use? Should I fish on bottom or under a float? I know those teeth are pretty funky - what type of hooks do you usually use for these guys? Hoping someone out there can give me some advice. Thanks!! Hope this helps, there are several members here that are better versed at sheepies than I am, but this link is a pretty good starting point http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/pdf/sheepshead.pdf New Smyrna Gone feeshin..... As often as I can, BUT not as much as I'd LIKE to!!!!
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Jigmaster	Start with	#2	[url]	[-]
Captain's Mate Posts: 688 04/25/11 08:59 PM - 6 Limits 2011	The ultimate Sheep rod: There is nothing better than a solid Glass rod Comes down to a combination of bite detection and hook set at the apex! By the time he feels you set the hook- he is on 50-70% of the time. Find an old 5ft 1piece Solid Glass rod sold @ Kmart 20 plus years ago they are a dime a dozen at every other yard sale for about 3bucks. Trick is to buy 2 and add all of the eyes to the one in better cond. Now for the reel -a quality bait caster is a good choice Penn,Daiwa,Abu, Shimano. The main line is Braid 30lb or less tied to 3ft of 20lb.Shock leader of fluorocarbon then 18in of 10-15lb. fluorocarbon rig line. Then a 1/2-1oz. egg weight knocker rig fashion finnished with a #1-1/0 bronze short shank hook. Main thing is no hardware!!! snaps, swivels, touristy chrome/black steel leaders etc. keep it clean- keep it simple. Now the Bait fiddlers are best,then live sand fleas, then pieces of crab,then shrimp. Chum is a must! If you cant scrape the pilings then make some- I save Popped shrimp heads/shell for this reason alone. Mix in a 5gal bucket with oyster shells and mud let it bake in the sun the day before use your wifes garden scoop to fling it around bridges docks and pilings. Both halves of high tide is best. Last Edited By: Jigmaster 04/25/11 09:09 PM. Edited 2 times.
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specialist		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3396 04/25/11 09:05 PM - 2 Limits 2012 - 10 Limits 2011	My personal favorite setup is a carolina rig setup. Thread a 1/2oz to 1oz egg sinker on your main line followed by a plastic bead to protect your knot. Then tie on a barrel swivel. Below the swivel I use 15lb. flourocarbon around 12-16" with a #4 Kahle hook. Other people prefer to use small j-hooks, but I have never had a problem with my Kahle style hooks. For bait I like to use either live sandfleas or fiddler crabs. Once in awhile they will bite on dead, peeled shrimp or small live shrimp. My experience has shown me that if you can see the sheepshead, they will not usually bite because they can see all of your terminal gear. Also, catching sheeps is a timing thing. You have to almost predict when to set the hook. Usually if you try to set the hook when you feel the bite it's too late. This is a fun sport, but it takes a lot of patience and practice. South Daytona I do all of my own shrimping stunts!
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mudman		#4	[url]	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 24 04/26/11 01:28 PM	Thanks for all the tips! Hoping to get back out there this weekend and give 'er another shot. The more I read about these sheeps - it sounds like you gotta be quick. I'll get some sharper hooks and try the rigs described here. Thanks again!
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shrimpcraz		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3521 04/26/11 01:32 PM - 1 Limits 2012 - 4 Limits 2011	mudman wrote: Thanks for all the tips! Hoping to get back out there this weekend and give 'er another shot. The more I read about these sheeps - it sounds like you gotta be quick. I'll get some sharper hooks and try the rigs described here. Thanks again! Seriously, If you feel the bite your to late. New Smyrna Gone feeshin..... As often as I can, BUT not as much as I'd LIKE to!!!!
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mudman		#6	[url]	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 24 04/26/11 04:45 PM	OK, I assumed this was an exaggeration . . . "if you feel the bite, you're too late" But, it sounds like this is actually truth? So . . . how the heck do I set the hook before I get a bite? Is the answer ---- Luke, use the force??? Or is it just count a number of seconds and then try to set the hook?
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wishiniwasfishin		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 2260 04/26/11 04:53 PM - 3 Limits 2012 - 9 Limits 2011	A little "use the force", a little practice. You gotta be ready, and have a rig that allows for you to have great feeling. That is why many of us prefer main line in braid (in addition to being around pilings). Braid won't stretch, and gives you better response. You feel everything, and you need that to fish for sheepies. Jigmaster is right about terminal tackle as well. I also prefer fluro leader, and as little terminal tackle as possible.
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mudman		#8	[url]	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 24 04/26/11 04:59 PM	I know what you mean about the sensitivity in the braid. Been using it (almost) exclusively for several years. When I was trying to hook up on these sheeps, I had the braid directly tied to a 1/16 oz jighead. I could feel the sheeps munching on my bait - but couldn't get a hookset (tried many times). Even tried just letting it sit (for 10-15 minutes) to see if he would ever hook himself (by eating the hook). No luck. Sounds like the first thing I need to do is go to a smaller hook (#1 size). Then, use proper bait - sand fleas, shrimp, or fiddlers. Dont let go of the rod. And . . . . and use the force!
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specialist		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3396 04/26/11 05:53 PM - 2 Limits 2012 - 10 Limits 2011	When they're biting, you'll know it. You'll lose a few baits while you are trying to anticipate the hookset. As you practice, you will eventually learn the timing. Just get out there and practice. You'll get the rythym. South Daytona I do all of my own shrimping stunts!
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saltykayak		#10	[url]	[-]
Captain's Mate Posts: 721 04/29/11 05:27 PM	mudman wrote: I know what you mean about the sensitivity in the braid. Been using it (almost) exclusively for several years. When I was trying to hook up on these sheeps, I had the braid directly tied to a 1/16 oz jighead. I could feel the sheeps munching on my bait - but couldn't get a hookset (tried many times). Even tried just letting it sit (for 10-15 minutes) to see if he would ever hook himself (by eating the hook). No luck. Sounds like the first thing I need to do is go to a smaller hook (#1 size). Then, use proper bait - sand fleas, shrimp, or fiddlers. Dont let go of the rod. And . . . . and use the force! Mudman...I have been focusing on sheeps for the last 6 months and have it down to the simplest yet effective way to put them in the cooler. I moved up from 30 lb braid to 40 lb. NO leader of any kind. Use a very short shank but heavy gauge hook. I have started using a very heavy hook with a short shank called the "Live Bait Sickle Hook". I seem to get more hookups and more importantly, the hook is much easier to remove from undersized fish without tearing part of their mouth. I use a 1 oz bank sinker about 8 to 10" above the hook and I use fiddler crabs. Also, I chum directly down where I am going to fish with busted up oysters (gathered earlier in a bucket) and throw a couple hands full down where I am are going to fish. Then SLOWLY drop the fiddler all the way to the bottom and lift it up about 10". If you just drop the line all the way to the bottom, you may hit one of the sheeps with the sinker and put them on guard. WATCH the end of your pole. When it slowly moves down 2" to 3" pull up hard to set the hook. KEEP PRESSURE on the line because many times the hook is in the mouth but the point is between a couple of the crushing teeth and NOT in the flesh. The moment you let off the pressure to reel up, they spit the hook. Don't try to play the fish. Pull that bugger up hard and as fast as you can or he'll head right for the sharp stuff to break you off. That's why 40 lb braid. When I catch a 'boss' and have to wrestle him and he does manage to cut my line, it takes me less than 60 seconds to re-rig and get back in the game. If you're close to New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater, I'll be glad to take you out and show you some places and techniques. << There Is a Reason >>
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mudman		#11	[url]	[-]
Sea Worthy Posts: 24 05/01/11 02:12 AM	Awesome info, saltykayak. And, thanks for the offer. I'm fishing pretty far south of your area, so I probably wont be able to take you up on that offer. However, with the info you gave me below, I'll give it a shot and let you know how I turn out. I was hoping that I'd be able to get after these bad boys this weekend, but had something come up at the last minute here at the house. Maybe next weekend. In the mean time, I'll be looking for bank sinkers and Live Bait Sickle hooks. Great advice here. Thanks again for everything.
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cudac30		#12	[url]	[-]
Captain's Mate Posts: 2214 06/01/11 01:31 PM Elite $300+ Member Website Donations - 7 Limits 2011	All the advise given here was great. When I am going for sheephead I do something a little different. I place my weight at the bottom and attach my hook about 10" above it. When I drop the line down I hold the rod in one hand and the line in the other hand. The second I feel my line start to jerk I set the hook. This seems to work well with me. Hello from Eustis, Florida ....... "LOVE to live and LIVE to shrimp "
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fishnfool		#13	[url]	[-]
Captain's Mate Posts: 608 06/10/11 12:47 PM Captain LIC - EXPIRED PARTY BOAT PONCE INLET	When I was a kid the old timers would tell me "yank just before they bite". Figure that one out! Many years ago I weighed a 12 pounder for a guy that he caught under the Port Orange drawbridge. Port Orange I've been fishing most of my life - the rest I just wasted!
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