Thread: How to Catch Sheepies?

Do you buy crabs and ghost shrimp? If so, what size? Also, what size hook and stuff.

It really depends on where you are fishing as to what size weight to use. The pier a split shot will work most of the time and at the pass usually one ounce (egg weight) at the most carolina rigged. Try to use as small of a hook as possible. You can buy fiddler crabs at J&M in the spring.

Silver crickets are the secret weapon. ;D

The ghost shrimp you gotta suck up. Like they said, minimal tackle when you can. I Carolina rig, let the current be the judge on the weight and I use a #10 treble.

Helpful, thanks.

I might try it in the morning. I have never tried to catch them on purpose. I thought all had worms.

I have NEVER seen 'spaghetti worms' in sheepshead.
Drum, specks, redfish, white trout, croakers ground mullet, whiting, YES, but NEVER sheepshead.

I almost always use live shrimp for sheepshead.
The size of your little finger is best as they will simply bite larger ones in half (IF they can catch them).
A number 6 bronze single is 'standard' for me, but I will use a #8 hook if the shrimp are extremely small.

Versatility is the key as water and weather conditions vary so should the presentation.
Fishing along the seawall is particularly challenging with all the irregular rocks along the base of the wall.
The water depth varies from a few feet to nearly 20 feet depending on location.
Still rod and line sensativity are factors in detecting bites and add to the enjoyment of playing a fish.
The current speed and direction varies especially on NEAP tide days so I keep a variety of pinch on splitshots and bass casting sinkers
on hand along with several types and sizes of hooks to get the presentation I want.
In a light current only one or two splitshots are needed to get the bait down near the bottom.
But in the example below the three-way rig has a 3/8 oz weight to match a moderate current.

Usually live shrimp, the smaller the better. If you can find grass shrimp, which are around 1.5" long, they are great.
Some days, fresh dead shrimp will work, especially when the sheepshead are thick during spawning in February & March.
Also, hermit crabs work great too. Just wander down the bay beaches and pick them up. You will need a hammer to get them out of the shells..
Fiddler crabs also work great, you can pick them in the local marshes or get them at J&M.

I use a #4 baitholder hook with a little weight as I can get away with.

I've never seen any worms in them when I clean them, sheeps are good eatin'.From my experience fishing for them, this time of year they like ghost shrimp for some reason, but when March rolls around live shrimp is the way to go. At the pass I carolina rig with a 3/4 depending on the current and use a number 6 SSW Owner hook(a little pricey but worth it)...the cheap Eagle Claws break at the shank all the time. At the pier I do the same but I use a bit heavier leader(like 14lb) for when they school so close to the pilings.

I've never seen worms in Sheepshead either.
I have seen specs, black drum and freshwater drum so worry it would make nauseated...