Thread: How do you catch Sheepshead?

So, for those who pursue sheepshead. This goes for the pier as well as anywhere else. What is your preferred rig, hook, line? What bait works best for you and how do you rig it?What part of the pier tends to hold them, or is it just anywhere on the pier? What time of year are they on the pilings, or are they residential?

Below is a good forum discussion on sheepshead.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...gs-tips-15105/

As for "what part of the pier holds them", during the Spring, you can see them on pilings all along the pier, when the water is clear. I usually start near the octi -- unless I see them congregated around a single piling elsewhere. In dirty water where you can't see them because they're deep, I fish the octi. I have used ghost shrimp, live shrimp and fiddler crabs all with success. I put two fiddler crabs on a hook, which helps hide the hook. In all cases, I use a Carolina rig with 12-15 pound fluorocarbon leader and a egg sinker (the smallest I can get away with), fishing straight down, as close to the piling as possible.

I've always heard that the trick to catching Sheepshead is to "set the hook right before they bite"

So a couple of other questions have popped into my head. First, are you putting the rig on the bottom or are you checking different depths along the piling, and second are you using circle hooks, bait holder hooks, or another type?

I use a #4 baitholder for sheepies.
Fish where the fish are, usually suspended anywhere from right below the surface to just off the bottom.
In the late winter/early spring when they are aggregated for spawning, its almost sight fishing.

Originally Posted by ShallowWaterAngler

So a couple of other questions have popped into my head. First, are you putting the rig on the bottom or are you checking different depths along the piling, and second are you using circle hooks, bait holder hooks, or another type?

On the octi the fish are suspended. Many times you can see them and adjust accordingly. After the spawn they will disperse all the way to the "tee" and to the shallows. Some get caught by the pilings and some on fiddlers fished on bottom. Generally the fish caught in late March on the octi are bigger than the ones that hang out in the shallows in April. The March fish from the octi tend to be more line/leader shy than what you see in the shallows a little later on. When they're fired up it may not matter but I have been skunked using 10lb fluorocarbon leader when a couple of others were using 6lb and getting bites and losing a few but still better than not getting bit. A medium action rod will help keep your line from breaking and hooks from pulling. I like a size #8 or #10 3x strong treble hook for shrimp and a Mustad #2 bronze short shank for fiddlers and ghost shrimp. J&M has them in small and bulk packs.

I use 1/2 oz egg sinker on 20lb invisibraid, smallest black swivel, 18" of 10lb flouro leader, and a number 8 treble. Live shrimp