;)Popo,
It is very rare, when they are up in the water column like that they'll hit a baited hook. No matter what the bait.
Taking a hint from your own post, "The Tide was pretty slack, and I could see them grazing on the Barnacles", I will tell you that I have studied them boogers for hours on end, and thier "Grazing" habits.
From what I have observed, whenever the current is moving at a good clip, thy will tend to hunker down to the bottom more. They will stage up on the down current side of the pilings, ( much like you would step behind a wall to get out of the wind), and switch into "ambush" mode. Finding the "feeding" stations are the key to really "Slayin Em".
As the current slacks they will "rise" to the ocasion, and start to forage the pilings again.
This is probably where the Myth that Sheepshead only feed when the tide is moving, because so many people have experienced a bottom bite shut off on them, when the tide slacked, and they just assumed that's what happened.
However that just isn't true. Pre Spawn, and Spawning SheepsHead never stop feeding. I'ts part of thier whole courtship ritual.
If you locate Sheepshead foraging on Pilings, and there is a brisk current, that ussually means they are stacked up underneath the visble fish feeding in that general area. Usually, all it takes is a little patience and some good Chum to fire them up.
I have tried all the tricks you mentioned and then some to catch them "Grazers", with little or no success. The only luck I've ever had, limited as it was, I would fish Crabs right up tight to the Piling, and attempt to "crawl" them along the side of the pilings.
When you see them foraging the pilings there is alot more going on there, than most people realize. They aren't just there to eat Barnacles. The little Crabs that scale the Pilings are what they rootin around looking for.
It's kind of hard to present a Barnacle in a "Natural" presentation when they chewing them off the wall but you can fool them from time to time with a small Crab, if presented "naturally", which usually involves more stealth, and patience than most folks possess. In this case, "Matching the hatch", might get you a couple of bites, but it ain't gonna fill your cooler.
Better to realize, that generally, if you can see them, they can see you, and that if they can see you, well to them you look just like the feller that was trying to catch them yesterday.
, and concentrate your efforts to where the REAL Sheephead fishin takes place.
Down on the bottom, around the base of the pilings, and in the Rockpiles.
At the base of the pilings, there is a washout, and then a slight depression That is where ya ketch em in good numbers when they're feedin.
They'll move up and down the Bridge from day to day to, just to keep you on your toes!
I like a good strong tide, moderate to nasty weather, and a spot that doesn't look like it's been fished hard lately.They like the same things.
If you get lucky and find some grazers, always give that entire general area a good onceover.
Having said all that, however, there are going to be days, when they simply will not bite.
Nothing wrong with your terminal tackle, the only thing I can say about the hook size, is to match the hook size to the bait you are using, and try to conceal your hook as much as possible, and don't skimp on the lead. You want a good tight vertical presentation, and a bit of extra wieght will help detect bites better.
If the bait is small, and the fish are running big, I'll sometimes use 2 or 3 crabs just to cover the hook good.
I prefer Eagle Claw Bronzed baitholder Hooks, available at Wal-Mart in size 1, or 1/0 for larger fish. Anything smaller, and you'll lose a nice fish sooner or later. I'd rather miss a few smaller fish and land the good'ns me.
In my opinion Stainless, or Circle hooks are a waste of time SheepsHead fishing.
I like the baitholder because of the little barb on the side. Helps hold you Crab on better in the current.
And they work to. Try em, you'll like em.
The answer to your question about Pinfish is simple, and 2 part.
A. If there is a School of big ole Spawning Sheepshead present, the Males will usually run everything off.
B. using crabs, will also improve your odds, the Terd Knockers leave you bait alone, long enough to give the Lady in the Striped dress long enough to find her dinner. If there are any baitfish present- that haven't been escorted to the door by the bouncers, using soft baits, like Shrimp, Oysters, Bloodworms, Barnacle meat Ect. (All great baits under the right conditions) will only server to agrivate the siuation.
As to bait, I'll tell you in roughly 35 years of SheepHead I can only recall catching more than 2 or 3 at a time on Store bought bait a handful of times. While Shrimp, and Frozen Sand Fleas,will work I think it's part of the Karma of the whole damn thing, that you MUST catch your own bait, to get serious about really gettin on em. The problem with Store bought Fiddlers, as you pointed out, is the Shops never seem to have em, when the Sheepshead are here, and when they do, they're so proud of em$$$$$, they just ain't worth it.
There have been numerous Articles written on procurring Sheepshead bait, so for the sake of time and space, I'll refer you them, and stick to my favorite.
Baits like BloodWorms, SandFleas, Oysters, Barnacles, Green Mussels Ect. are all proven effective, and I've used em all.
However, why not feed em what they're really after?
First you have to understand, catching Sheepshead bait is a LOW TIDE game, and can sometimes require a little work. The work most of the time however pays big enough dividends to make it a worthwile venture.
I prefer Crabs for Sheepshead fishing. I've caught em on every thing but a GreenBack, including Squid, but day in day out the best bait going is Crabs. Not just ANY Crab though. True, Fiddlers are a great bait when you can get em, and Blue Crab chunks will work to, but both are expensive and in short supply, so here's a great alternative, that's free, and relativly easy to find. You'll need a claw hammer, some old sneakers, and a little intestinal fortitude to boot, but I assure you in the end it will all be worth it.
Next, study your area at extreme low tide, and locate some rocky areas, with a good Oyster population. I like the Courtney Campbell CauseWay, the SkyWay frontage roads, North, and South, especially the little jetty at the South pier at the entrance.
Now, all you have to do is take your hammer and go to work.
With the claw side down walk along and turn over the rocks as you go. (Careful them little Oysters and Barnacles are sharp), underneath you will find little Crabs called Oyster Crabs that resmeble a Stone Crab. There's yer Convict Candy!
(Just make sure you don't mix in any baby 'Stoneys, and yer all set) You can also find em hiding in the Oyster Clusters. Take ya an extra bucket, bust the clusters apart, save for chum, and seperate out yer Crabs. (Takes a little practice)
Store your crabs in a damp shady bucket, but do not cover with water or they'll die unless you aireorate. they need a good soakin about every 4 or 5 hours to stay alive.
I usually try to get about a half a bucket for a good Family fun fishin day. The bigger ones can be cut in half, or crushed up for chum, but the tiny ones about the size of your thumbnail are what you are after. 2 or 3 tiny ones, to conceal the hook are better than nothin as I stated before. There will also be little Pistol Shrimps as you go in the wetter areas, grab them to!
You'll want to Impale the Crabs from side to side, on your hook, until your hook is completly undetectable. Fish directly on the bottom, tight to structure. I like to pitch my bait back up under the Bridge. (Notice I said "pitch", and not "throw"? Try to be as gentle and stealth quiet as ya can, as not to spook the big Girls
)
To answer your question about the Barnales, your answer is as close as your nearest Seawall, at low tide.
Just hold yer bucket up to the wall and scrape!
Jabs right, they are excellent bait also, as well as chum, I'v even baited my hook with clusters shell and all!
In closing CHUM, is a very important part of this game, rather you fashion a long handled scraper, for the Skyway, or bring your own.
I always take at least a couple of buckets, of various stuff, like Oysters, Barnacles, Green Mussels, and the like.
There are many different methods, in many diferent locations. The above described is what I have founds works best for me at the SkyWay, and surounding Bridges/areas.
Hopefully some of the others will weigh in with thier little "tricks of the trade to!
Many thanks to all the Crooked Backed old Farts/Salts, who taught ME all this junk!
Hope this helps.
Any more questions, feel free to ask!
Fish On Folks
SJ
P.S. JUST REEL