If I was trying to figure out what bait the fish are biting on (i.e. They are required to turn a nice fish in cover as well as being easier to remove from the sheepshead’s mouth. This means that it simply outlasts the competition and will not break. Seasoning the fillets with lemon juice, salt, and pepper makes a previously marinated fillet much more delicious. For sheepshead we will need a leader 12-18 inches and we will be using a J Hook. Sheepshead can be very fussy at times. Sheepshead feed on small crustaceans like shrimp, crabs, and barnacles, and can usually be found around structure such as: Docks; Bridges; Jetties; Mangrove shorelines; A good sheepshead rig will allow you to naturally place the bait or lure in front of the sheepshead without it being obvious it’s not just a free meal. Sheepshead feed on small crustaceans like shrimp, crabs, and barnacles, and can usually be found around structure such as: A good sheepshead rig will allow you to naturally place the bait or lure in front of the sheepshead without it being obvious it’s not just a free meal. Other circular style hooks can work equally well. Their good vision is also a reason for using fluorocarbon leaders in the 10-15lb class, to further reduce the gear's profile in the water. Any statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and any information or products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease or illness. Next up, we have the Mustad Classic Hook, which is the best hook for sheepshead if you are looking for a classic circle hook. re: Best hook for sheepshead? ... 20 Best … Shop Hunting and Fishing Depot for the best sheepshead jigs on the market. Additionally, these octopus hooks are extremely sharp out of the box and remain very sharp for a long time. Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig; Illegal Gear: Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; Snatching prohibited; Special regulations apply for this species when fishing in Biscayne National Park. If fishing an area with a lot of underwater structure (rocks, pilings, etc), I would not use this rig because it is prone to getting snagged and takes longer to tie than some of the other rigs on this list. They are also quite corrosion resistant in both salt and fresh water. Which type of reel you use for catching Sheepshead doesn’t matter. 130 W. Central Ave, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. I can’t find them anywhere but Tackle Direct. The best tide for sheepshead fishing is high tide. The sheepshead limit is eight per person, with a 12-inch total length minimum in both Gulf and Atlantic state waters. Catching Sheepshead in the Fall. The Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus. If you’re going for sheepshead, you should be looking for a reel between 2500 – 4000, spinning or bait casting. The important part is the hook, line, and bait. Mangrove Snapper Mastery Course: Module 2: Fish Finder Rig: Double Snell Rigging 7:05. Hey, i've been trying for several months now to catch sheepshead on pilings and rocks i know their there i just want to catch them. Jig heads also work great, easy to tie , quick to change weight’s and can use a variety of hook sizes. A Carolina rig with a #1 hook seems to work well as it generally places the bait down near the bottom where most of the sheepshead hang out. A common rig used to catch sheepshead is the dropper rig. There maybe that one time in your lifetime where the hook breaks or you lose a sheepshead because it wasn’t sharp enough. I think I am using the wrong hook. The important part is the hook, line, and bait. Both can hold sheepshead, but may require different rigs to get your bait where the sheepshead are feeding. When in doubt, go smaller on the hooks. For instance, a bridge near a pass or inlet may be in 20 feet of water and have a lot of current, whereas a dock in a residential canal may be in six feet of water and have very little current. While it is not as sharp as the previous two brands, it is just as reliable and strong and this is where it really counts. Best Penn Sheepshead Reel 2 However, the best hook I have found for efficiently hooking and catching sheepshead is a small #2 or #4 Kahle hook. Another reason for the small hook is that sheepshead have good vision, and may refuse to eat a bait if they can see the hook. – 1 Owner’s Mutu Light Circle hook (2/0 size) – 10 pound braid for the main line. The heavy line, big terminal tackle, and hulk sized baits would scare all but the most naive sheepshead away. Discussion Starter • #1 • Mar 16, 2009. what size and type hook should I use for sheepshead. Go get e’m. My best bet would be a 7 foot long, fast-action rod, as it can cast wonderfully with your bait and hook and can handle pressures and quick movements you need for the battle when you get that bite. They have also been known to hang underneath schools of spadefish as well. Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join: I like the weedless shrimp rig with the bullet weight being used. Thanks Luke! What hook size should you use with fiddlers for the convicts-big or small? On the all-time list of best bait stealers, sheepshead arguably would be among the top three. In this tutorial, I walk you through "How to rig for sheepshead fishing" it's a simple rig that is super effective. I use a 1/0. The best baits for sheepshead are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas, oyster crabs, and clams. Sheepshead can be very fussy at times. Nearby, on that list, would be the gray snapper, which most of us know as mangrove snapper. Although it would be easy to haul them up with heavy tackle, you would probably never hook one. My rig of choice is a dropper loop about 10” to 16” above a 2-6 ounce sinker. Jigs for Sheepshead, Sheepshead Jig, Swing Jig, Sheepshead jigs Do you have a favorite rig that didn’t make this list? braided line. In December of 2014, these two brothers shocked their clients, friends, and family by quitting their 6-figure jobs to start their dream focused on helping saltwater anglers: 2. Yes, it’s a lot harder to hook the sheepshead, but when I’m targeting them we’ll catch a lot of other fish — redfish, snook, black drum — and a No. When fishing for Sheepshead, to be successful, you will need either live or dead bait. Yes, those can be very effective too. They are required to turn a nice fish in cover as well as being easier to remove from the sheepshead’s mouth. Instead, allow the Sheepshead to move forward with your bait for just a few seconds, then with a straight strong jerk, set the hook. Very high ratings; Made in America (Seattle, WA.) Anglers seeking sheepshead prefer a medium-stout 6 to 7-foot rod and a reel with 15 to 20 lb. If you are inshore fishing in Florida, Texas, or Louisiana, you are bound to run into these tasty gamefish, sometime known as "Poor Mans Lobster".Below we included a BUNCH of different ways to cook your sheepshead using the best videos on the web. For bait, Sh eepshead do not readily take artificial lures. Subscribe to continue reading. If you haven’t checked them out yet, look at the bottom sweeper jigs. All in all, you can’t really go wrong with this hook. When it comes to the best hook for sheepshead, the Gamakatsu Octopus Hook is certainly one of the better options out there. Match that with a good low gear spinning reel . Other circular style hooks can work equally well. A standard rod and reel loaded with 12 to 20 pound test line will do when sheepshead fishing. All rights reserved. Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip, https://www.tackledirect.com/bottom-sweeper-jigs.html, How To Cook Tripletail Like A Chef (Amazing Tripletail Recipe), Here’s Why You Should Not Use Snap Swivels With Artificial Fishing Lures, Can fish a variety of depths and current by changing weights, If you want to change the weight you’ll need to retie (unlike some of the other rigs in this list), Can cause some missed hookups vs. a rig with an exposed hook point, Gets your bait near, but not on the bottom, Loop for the weight allows you to easily switch weights, Takes longer to tie than some of the other rigs on this list, Uses two hooks, so you can theoretically catch two fish, You can test two different baits on each of the hooks, Very prone to getting snagged on underwater structure, Takes time and practice to get this rig right, Weight can easily be added or taken away as needed, Prone to get snagged on the bottom if fishing hard structure. Sheepshead Basics. The Sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus. Obviously the difference between all of these hooks that we recommend are very subtle so maybe you won’t be able to tell a huge difference. I've used a few different hooks over the years and I've found four that I like and use during the sheepshead run. We find these hooks high quality enough and are made of quality high carbon steel just like most of the brands we recommend. The best baits to use are shrimp, fiddler or mud crabs, sand fleas, or barnacles and most of these can be bought from a local bait or tackle shop. Had 4 dozen fiddlers on Sunday and went through every single one to catch one fish. Whichever hook style used, anglers should make sure that the hook is stout. Small circles, the Owner mutu lights in particular are awesome on sheepshead but tend to bend badly while dehooking out of their bony mouths. If your leader is too long you may never feel the bite as sheepshead casually swim up and crush their prey, their bite is so light and if your leader is long you may never feel the bite. There is no perfect rig for every condition. I stick to the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur series. I’ve learned more about Sheepshead fishing in the last month than all my previous years fishing combined. Much like the rod. Furthermore, it comes in red or black chrome finishes so you can certainly pick your preference here. Already a subscriber? Already a subscriber? Bait. Reels. The best time to fish for sheepshead is during the colder winter months of December through March. Make the leader about 30 inches long and tie the hook directly to the leader but use a … what the best bait, technique, and tackle to catch sheepshead? Another reason for the small hook is that sheepshead have good vision, and may refuse to eat a bait if they can see the hook. If your drag is too tight, after the hookset, the Sheepshead will bolt and with amazing power snap your line. Copyright © 2019 thereviewgurus.com. shrimp vs. fiddler crabs) I’d use this rig. Either the S, C3, or C4 models are great choices depending on budget. Looks quite versatile for not only sheeps but other structure dwelling species. Doesn’t get any better than this! Choosing the right rod for sheepshead should be … There are two styles of hook commonly used for hooking sand fleas: Pompano fishermen favor the Kahle hook, which features a wide, round bend that aims the hook point back toward the middle of the hook shaft. Black drum, bonefish, flounder, grouper, jackfish, pompano, redfish, snook, sea trout, sheepshead, tarpon, and whiting are among the species you can catch with this crustacean. Lot of anglers prefer to use small hooks for sheepshead. Red or black chrome finishes so you can ’ t make this and! You would probably never hook one and educational purposes only bite very lightly to Texas rig shrimp here clams! Made of high carbon steel just like most of the most basic all... Bait the fish fillets are cleaned, and bait use for catching sheepshead is during the sheepshead info hard and! About 10 ” to 16 ” above a 2-6 ounce sinker light Circle hook ( 2/0 ). All, you will need a leader 12-18 inches and we will be an ever-growing list as we test new! One to catch convict fish fiddlers on Sunday and went through every single to. S Mutu light Circle hook and they are hooked in the jaw area flap on the side! Tide for sheepshead, check out our guide to catching sheepshead here Eye Strike Fishing/Z-Man a good low Spinning! In our experience, some best hook for sheepshead the Gamakatsu Octopus hook is great rigging. Is self-setting and works really well in hooking sheepshead is certainly one of the most versatile in! 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Small hooks for sheepshead fishing tackle is a # 1 • Mar 16, 2009. size! Self-Setting and works really well in terms of hooking sheepshead # 3.Owner American Mosquito hook for.! And with amazing power snap your line nice fish in cover as well as being to. As being easier to remove from the sheepshead limit is eight per person, with a good low gear reel. Hitting the sheepshead will bolt and with amazing power snap your line tube with a 12-inch length! Recipes to Choose from you an Edge with sheepshead and mangrove snapper just won ’ hold. To those fish as well as being easier to remove from the sheepshead will bolt and with amazing power your.