I was standing on my dock yesterday and noticed three very large sheepshead along with a nice sized crab. We tried artificial bait and that did not work so we just watched them swim around for about 1/2 an hour,
Sheepshead
- Thread starter mawilkes
- Start date
Good sized sheephead. They dont hit artificials often though. Try getting some live shrimp or fiddler crabs. And then use a three way rig with a strong hook
I would have tried some shrimp and some barrel swivels but I did not any shrimp. I do now though,lol
Sheepshead are kind of my specialty, I tend to catch them when no one can. They can be VERY picky and shy of leaders, weights, hooks and swivels.
The key is to use at least 24" of 12-20lb fluro. Use a uni-uni to attached the leader to main line, NO SWIVEL. The best hooks are small live bait hooks, I like size two gamakatsu, the reason for a small hook is that if they see it, they wont eat and that means no STAINLESS STEEL they will see that and turn up their nose. If you MUST use a weight use a split shot at least 36" above the hook and use as small as one as possible. Use the wind/current to have your bait drift in front of them, do not splash them as they will spoke. I prefer live shrimp but live HERMIT crabs are EXCELLENT just a pain to get out of the shells.
They bite fast so always when in doubt just set the hook!!
Using this technique I can pull up big sheepies off the fishing piers/bridges that are heavily pressured when no one else can.
The key is to use at least 24" of 12-20lb fluro. Use a uni-uni to attached the leader to main line, NO SWIVEL. The best hooks are small live bait hooks, I like size two gamakatsu, the reason for a small hook is that if they see it, they wont eat and that means no STAINLESS STEEL they will see that and turn up their nose. If you MUST use a weight use a split shot at least 36" above the hook and use as small as one as possible. Use the wind/current to have your bait drift in front of them, do not splash them as they will spoke. I prefer live shrimp but live HERMIT crabs are EXCELLENT just a pain to get out of the shells.
They bite fast so always when in doubt just set the hook!!
Using this technique I can pull up big sheepies off the fishing piers/bridges that are heavily pressured when no one else can.
I know what you mean, they are real bait stealers and realy good at it. I catch them off my dock a lot and you have to be ready to set the hook at the smallest nibble.
JD7.62;4879406; said: