Hooking sheepshead

[tyke1215]

I need some help here. Sheeps are at the pier and they're hitting my bait but I can't hook them. I'm using fiddlers mostly and occasionally small shrimp cut in half and threaded on the hook like a worm, if the pins aren't too bad. I've tried a variety of hook styles in size 2 and 1 and various bait hooking methods with little luck. I feel them nibbling and I'm convinced they're sheeps but I rarely hook them before the bait is gone. When I do get one, it's either swallowed the hook or is hanging on by a thread. I'm going through $25 bucks worth of bait to catch four or five fish when dozens are eating my bait. And FWIW, I seem to be catching more than anybody when I'm out there!

I've heard about catching mud crabs at low tide but so far, I haven't been too good at it and I don't think bait is my problem.

7' medium light, very sensitive graphite rod with 20 lb. PowerPro and 12 lb. Seaguard floro leader. I can feel and see hits with this rig even when it's windy and wavy. My best success has been with Owner Mosquito hooks in sizes 2 and 1 but I've tried quite a few others. 1 1/2, 2, and sometimes 3 oz. egg sinkers, swivel, and 2' leader. I've also used 2 oz. needle sinkers at the bottom of my leader with a dropper hook 18" above with equal or better success. I normally feel taps almost instantly when my crab confronts a sheep. Planning another trip soon and will be dropping to size 4 hooks in the hopes that I can gut hook a few more

Sorry for the long post but this is really frustrating me. On my last trip, the fishing was off for everyone but I met a pier rat who told me that's just the way it is with sheepshead. I'm using bait they like and they're hitting it so I refuse to believe that. There has to be a way.

[eaglesfanguy]

I think it is just part of the game when sheep huntin. They say your supposed to set the hook before you feel the bite.

[montylfl]

Those bites you think are sheephead are most likely pinfish. If you feel the thump you missed the sheephead. You almost have to set the hook before they bite.

You may want to try a very small circle hook with and really sharp point baited with the fiddler crab. This way you just reel to set the hook then yanking the hook

[eaglesfanguy]

Yea i heard small circle hooks are a good starting point.

[tears143]

did you try lighter weights?

[unclejed]

The same thing was happening to me a few years back. Then one evening this guy walked up and dropped in a few pilings down and imediatly started to catch one Sheephead after another. Made me look bad I tell ye. To beat all the sob was throwin back what was clearly- even from a distance keeper fish till I couldnt stand it no more and just had to get a closer look and ask a few questions. Heres what I learned that day. The tips I got really helped me alot and hope it helps you. Number one just reel and dont stop reeling to set the hook when you feel a bite. A Sheephead bite is best described as a subtle vibrating thump. The peck peck peck is pins and blowfish. If you miss drop back down briefly and see if you get thunked again but not too long as your bait is proly alreaedy gone. Number 2 is learn to catch mud crabs. Low tide under rocks and in oysters. Theyre tougher and outfish any other bait hands down. Courtney Campbell causeway is the best place Ive found for them. Turn over rocks with with a hammer.

[unclejed]

Oh ya I forgot to mention. That feller turned out to be Jay or Skyjay as we call him on here. Real nice guy and very knowldgable. Theres a sticky on here chock full of his little tricks. I gaurantee you if youll just keep practicing and do what he says youll do better. Shoot maybe youll get lucky like I did and some day run in to him ot there or pm him and get him to show ya. Thanks Jay if youre out there you da man. Tight lines!

[tyke1215]

I'm pretty sure they're not pinfish. I started fishing the pier last spring and have been going on 24 hour overnighters about twice a month since then. This winter is my first experience with pier sheeps but definitely not with pinfish lol. I don't seem to have any problem hooking them on the flats when I find them. I sort of think that when they go into barnacle scraping mode around the pylons, they just tend to nibble a lot more. I generally use circle hooks or hybrid variations like Octopus or Mosquito hooks when bottom fishing and rarely set them. Normally I'll kind of lift the rod slowly and if I feel weight, start reeling like mad. I'll try just reeling and see if that helps.

When you look for mud crabs at low tide, are you turning over rocks on land or ones that are still in the water? I've tried it at the approach to the south pier in the shallow water but when I lift or roll over a rock, it kicks up a cloud and I can't really see anything for a minute or two. Should I be looking under rocks that are high and dry? I find a few in the oyster chunks I collect to mash up for chum but not many.

tears, I try and use the lightest weight that stays down depending on the current, usually 1 1/2 oz. during slacker tides moving up to 2 oz. when the current gets stronger. You think that's too heavy?

Thanks guys. There's obviously a learning process to this and every tip helps. I'll be heading out again next Saturday.

[eaglesfanguy]

Mud crabs are accessable when the tide retreats and you get to oyster beds and rocks when there exposed. So your looking for them where the water has retreated.

[tyke1215]

Aha! I've been doing it wrong. Thank you.

[eaglesfanguy]

Bring work gloves and a claw hammer. Them lil buggers pinch quite well. Plus the rocks are sharp.
Also you might want to look at pictures of a stone crab and a mud crab. if you grab stoner babies and "the man" checks you, your in deep doo doo.

[blacktip]

dont forget to hook the crab from the belly with the tip of the hook coming out of its back. only expose the tip of the hook (dont go past the barb) this will increase hookups. If you see graising fish, try freelining a crab to the piling. The crab will grab on to the structure, then its just a matter of time.

[tyke1215]

Thanks blacktip! I think you posted recently about leaving the barb buried in the crab and I've been doing that ever since I read it. I think it definitely helps. I like the freelining idea if conditions allow it, I'll give that a shot.

I'm pretty psyched to go sheep huntin' this weekend and maybe pick up some silver trout. I got a couple really nice grunts last time out too even though the bite was slow and there was almost no bait at the pier. I don't think I've ever fished a new moon out there so that will be something new.

[eaglesfanguy]

Them silver trouts are very tastey, as well as the grunts. Panfish dinner is still a fish dinner........... One other trick i was told about was to use the heads of fresh shrimp. Buy eatin shrimp heads on. When you pop the heads off before cooking them yummy shrimp save the heads. There supposed to be Very good for bait.

[unclejed]

new and full moon low tides expose more rocks when your gettin crabs. Ive always stuck my crabs on sideways and it worked for me ill have to try that blacktip thanks. Suprised ole Jbird hadnt piped in by now on this post. he usualy loves to talk sheephead. wonder if the bullshark got him. Hey mr havetofish your slippin. Why no tide charts yet buddy? You had me spoilt all these years man whats up? This forum has really gone to $hit lately I swear ha ha

[tyke1215]

Jan 7, 2013 17:25:03 GMT -5 eaglesfanguy said:

Them silver trouts are very tastey, as well as the grunts. Panfish dinner is still a fish dinner.......

Agreed 100%, I love a good panfish fry and so do my friends. I'd only caught a few silver trout here and there on the flats before they moved into the pier a few weeks ago. I've caught a bunch since then and like them even better than speckled trout. No worms and the flesh is firmer. I see guys shaking their heads when I keep 12" grunts or silvers but I don't care. I catch plenty of really nice trout, reds, and flounder when I'm in the skiff (I usually launch out of Cockroach) but for me, the pier means a day of relaxing panfishing.

Deep fried panfish (your choice):

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 lbs. skinless panfish fillets


-In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper.
-Coat fillets entirely in the flour mixture; refrigerate coated fish for 1 hour; coat again with remaining flour mixture (the double coating - keep it lite - is important...trust me)
-Deep-fry 8 - 10 pieces at a time - I have a big deep fryer, use comon sense - , in 375 degree oil (vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil) for 2 to 4 minutes or until they float (depends a lot on the size and thickness). Drain on brown paper bags. Serve with your favorite tartar sauce recipe. Here's mine:

1 1/2 cup mayo
1 1/2 tablespoon dill relish
1 teaspoon onion powder or minced onion
1/2 teaspoon dry dill
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay

Mix it up and adjust ingredients to taste. Do taste this before you proceed, knowing it will be a bit stronger while it's fresh than after some time in the fridge. I like it a little dillier and spiced than the rest of my family. They like it a little mayo-ier. Now is the time to test it while it's strong, it will mellow with some time in the fridge. Put in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This makes a lot of sauce so adjust down accordingly. We usually fry a lot of fish and make sammiches the next day with leftovers.

Next up, Chipper panfish:

Dip skinless (my preference) fillets in creamy Ceasar salad dressing (Ranch is good too). Hold up and let the excess drip off. This is the tedious part. You want a very thin coat of dressing. Lay in a lightly greased or Pammed baking dish and stack to no more than an inch thick. If you have a lot of fish, use a bigger pan or two pans. Cover with shredded sharp cheddar then cover that with crushed BBQ potato chips. Dot the top liberally with butter or margarine. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees or as hot as it will go. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden an bubbly. I usually crank up to broil for the last minute or two, but keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn. Enjoy.

So who needs a couple good buffalo or honey BBQ wing recipes

[eaglesfanguy]

As good as they sound TYKE i like to get fresh wings never frozen from my butcher, then soak em in greek dressing overnight. Fry em naked then Douce em in Hooters butter spice sauce .. F'N A they are mighty good.

[eaglesfanguy]

I also prefer the silver trout to specks. I have never witnessed a worm in a speck but have in red grouper. I USUALLy LEAVE THE SKIN ON SILVER TROUT. Just scale and fillet trust me it is fantastic. Scales are easy to remove.
Crispy fried skins are pretty damn good!
Pass out time..

[eaglesfanguy]

Oh yea to get back to the point, what kinda rig are you using for them sheepies?

[eaglesfanguy]

Try a dropper rig, i think thats what its called. Sinker on the bottom and a dropper loop about a foot or 2 above the sinker put your 1/0 owner hook on there with a live fiddler. go pilling to pilling

[eaglesfanguy]

Flourocarbon leader makes a hell of a difference. Make your rig of that. Yozori pink is best in my mind

[eaglesfanguy]

171 more to go, dammit i gotta go fishing
Hey Jay when you gonna teach me to catch them convicts? i took the course on mango's .

[tyke1215]

I covered most of that in my first post but keep going efg, you're on a roll! (I'm a Frank's Red Hot sauce guy myself).

unclejed, this is the tide predictor I use for the Skyway. I've found it to be very accurate. If you scroll down to "Select display type", and click on graphic plot, it shows a picture instead of text. Down under "Starting time" you can enter the date and change the hour format to am/pm time instead of military time. It doesn't give tide heights but that doesn't matter much at the pier anyways.


tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tideshow.cgi?site=Tampa+Bay+%28Sunshine+Skyway+Bridge%29%2C+Florida+Current+%2815d%29

[SkyJay]

Seems like it was you and Allison who schooled me that day Steve. lol what an embarrasing and humbling experience that was to. Oh well maybe some day I'll get that rematch. Had alot on my mind that day. Would like to go again some time. As to the Sheepshead. Piss on that. Too dam much work. lol Spec fishin is alot easier, less expensive, and way more relaxing. Don't miss being surrounded by morons while I'm tryin to fish either. lol and I like eatin em better. Sheepshead fishin is alot like golf. It takes a lot of practice, that don't necesarrily make you any better at doing it. lol Ya gotta want it. And stick to it. Pretty much done with the Skyway I'm afraid. Might be back for a King in the Spring though. idk take care guys and good luck with the dam convicts .Kip says JUST REEL and use a bait caster. Like his poppaw taught him. He got 4, 5 pounders from his other poppaws dock in Cape Haze Sunday. Not bad for a 6 year old. :-) Thanks for the props Jed. Take care folks and be safe. Happy New Year! J

[SkyJay]

BAMM! there it is again... No reply at all. sorry I interupted your thread guys dam.

[montylfl]

Jan 8, 2013 4:31:44 GMT -5 eaglesfanguy said:

I also prefer the silver trout to specks. I have never witnessed a worm in a speck but have in red grouper. I USUALLy LEAVE THE SKIN ON SILVER TROUT. Just scale and fillet trust me it is fantastic. Scales are easy to remove.
Crispy fried skins are pretty damn good!
Pass out time..

I agree ( unless the spotted is a gator over 22 those fat filters are really good)

[gerard1031]

I'll throw my two pennies in here....what works for me.....is to slowly bring the bait in along the bottom, it helps me feel the activity on the end, seems to bring out the aggression in the fishes...and then when the bump is heavy, start reeling! It's a numbers game, many many bait thieves...an occasional sheep.

That is the game.

I have watched many people set up rods, bait them, throw them out and set them down. And they catch no sheeps.

You gotta keeps your hands on the rod....something you learn from grouper fishing...! Mangroves, same story...hands on the rod...

[ripnlips]

I have found when the sheepshead bite is tuff, chumming works very good to fire up the bite. Most use oysters or scrape barnacles but up here in Crystal River and Homosassa we use frozen scallop guts from the summer. Seems to fire up the bite real quickly and an added benefit is that the sheeps forget all about being spooked. They get stooopid when the scallop chum comes out.

Someone said something about a vibrating tug or something of that matter. This is probly the best description I have heard for the feel of a sheeps bite. No other way to explain it really.



Here is a cooler shot from this weekend. The redfish on the left is 20".

[eaglesfanguy]

Holy Schnitt Rip! that's a boatload of awsome fillets! Look at those pretty fish!

[montylfl]

Feb 7, 2013 20:27:31 GMT -5 ripnlips said:

I have found when the sheepshead bite is tuff, chumming works very good to fire up the bite. Most use oysters or scrape barnacles but up here in Crystal River and Homosassa we use frozen scallop guts from the summer. Seems to fire up the bite real quickly and an added benefit is that the sheeps forget all about being spooked. They get stooopid when the scallop chum comes out.

Someone said something about a vibrating tug or something of that matter. This is probly the best description I have heard for the feel of a sheeps bite. No other way to explain it really.






Convicts in the house!!!!! Great haul
Here is a cooler shot from this weekend. The redfish on the left is 20".