Thread: Sheepshead Question

If I am using a #6 treble and live shrimp, how do you guys hook the shrimp onto the treble hook? Use just one hook? Run the hook through the tail of the shrimp sideways? Thread the shrimp on one of the hooks? What is the best way to keep the shrimp swimming around?

I use a plain ole #4 baitholder and hook the shrimp in the tail. I don't see the need for a treble when fishing for sheepies.
But if you do, take the same approach, just hook them in the tail with one of the hooks.

There are many fishing website "how-to" on how to rig shrimp. For sheeps, just use a standard hook, I use a Owner SSW 1/0 (I think), its kinda small. I hook em either in the hard tail piece or in the hard part of the head clear of the vitals as to not kill the shrimp. Carolina rig is the way to go, and a smaller diameter mono.

Originally Posted by spottedbass

If I am using a #6 treble and live shrimp, how do you guys hook the shrimp onto the treble hook?
Use just one hook?
Run the hook through the tail of the shrimp sideways?
Thread the shrimp on one of the hooks?
What is the best way to keep the shrimp swimming around?

I try to match my hook size to the shrimp size. A #6 treble is probably OK most of the time for medium to large shrimp but with sheepshead having a relatively small mouth they will often simply bite a large shrimp in half especially if they see the hook.
Plus treble hooks have a bad habit of being 'crushed' by sheepshead grinding teeth back in their throat.
There are several variations but basically you can hook a shrimp (with a single hook or one hook of a treble hook) at the base of its 'horn'...


Or thru the tail crossways...


Most fish try to catch and eat shrimp by 'folding' it in half so it can be swallowed with the tail and horn facing out toward their mouth. Think of doing that like 'bobbing for apples' (i.e. NO hands), and it's easier to visualize what is going on when you 'feel' the shrimp jump (tap-tap-tap) away from a pursuing sheepshead.

Occasionally you might want to thread a single hook up underneath the end of the tail and out between the legs, but keep in mind this will severely cripple the shrimp so it will not swim much and likely die prematurely.

Usually to get a more natural presentation (i.e. shrimp swimming freely) I prefer to hook it at the base of the horn especially when I have to cast it away from the pier or when there is a current or wind to deal with. Shrimp do not look very natural 'swimming' backwards ;-)



Hope this helps!

I knew I could count on Pier#r for a great response and explanation. Thank you. I wanted to make sure to hook it so that the swiming action would not be taken away. Last year when I was down in March I think I was crippling the shrimp's swimming action bad. So this year the sheepies better lookout.