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2250 Posts |
 Posted - 02/18/2010 : 1:18:02 PM
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Gone Sheep'n has become a popular term among local fishermen over the past couple of years. These fishermen are not referring to work they have to do on the farm before they can go fishing. They are actually referring to fishing for one of the most popular fish in the lowcountry, the Sheepshead. These fish are popular because they provide a challenge each and every time you fish for them. They always put up a great fight, but the biggest challenge lies in hooking them. Many a fisherman has left the dock to fish for Sheepshead only to return to the dock with the same amount of fish they left with and a lot less bait. My personal philosophy on Sheepshead fishing was I'm going to feed plenty and if I'm lucky I may actually catch one or two. Over the years I have refined my techniques and listened to other more experienced Sheepshead anglers and today I'm happy to say I catch almost as many as I feed.
Sheepshead can be found in the inshore waters almost year round in our area. From early January through late March most of these fish move to the reefs to spawn, but the other 9 months of the year they can be found around inshore structures. Some of the more popular types of structure are dock pilings, rock jetties, and seawalls. Their diet consists primarily of barnacles, mollusks, small crabs, and shrimp. When trying to determine what structure to fish, look for areas that have these types of marine life around them. A good example would be dock pilings with oysters and barnacles living on the post.
The traditional bait for the Sheepshead is a Fiddler Crab called a China Back. Fiddler Crabs can be purchased at most of the local tackle shops, or you can catch your own. Catching your own can be almost as much fun as the actual fishing. To catch Fiddler Crabs you will need a ½-inch broomstick about 1-foot long or a short piece of ½-PVC pipe and a 5-gallon bucket. At low to mid-tide find a firm mud flat or an area where a sandy beach turns into a mud flat and look for fiddler crab holes. Push the pole into the mud right next to the hole and then lift the mud to the surface with the pole. The fiddler will usually come to the surface in the mud. Catch the fiddler with your hand and place it in the bucket. I recommend collecting at least 25 fiddlers per fisherman. Fiddlers can be caught form early spring through late fall; however, in the middle of the winter, fiddlers will burrow deep in the mud, making them difficult to find.
In recent years many anglers have started to use mussels, clams and oysters for bait. They can be purchased at your local supermarket or seafood dealer. Many anglers prefer to steam these types of baits before fishing with them. Steaming them causes the shells to open up making it easier to extract the bait from inside the shell and it also makes the bait a tougher; therefore making it harder for a fish to pull it off the hook.
Now that you have your bait it's time to get rigged for fishing. We usually start off using some twelve-pound spinning or bait casting outfits with a 6 to 7 foot sensitive rod with a good backbone. Once we have a few fish in the boat we will switch over to the ultra-light outfits. A sensitive rod is imperative because these fish are hard to feel on the end of your line. A rigid rod is needed in order to be able to control the fish and move them away from the structure. Prepare your line by tying in approximately 2 feet of double line using a spider hitch. Then attach a small snap swivel and 11/2 feet of twenty-pound mono using an improved clinch. Finally attach a heavy duty #1 short shank hook. We prefer to use laser sharpened hooks because the Sheephead's mouth is so tough. Many anglers will insert an egg sinker above the swivel, we prefer to use 0/0 split shot because it is quick and easy to add or remove weight as needed. You will probably lose several rigs on the structures therefore it is a good idea to make up several rigs before reaching the fishing grounds. This will allow you to spend more time fishing and less time re-rigging.
We highly recommend chumming for Sheepshead. Collecting chum for Sheepshead is simple, just find a seawall with oysters, clams, barnacles, etc. growing on the side and scrape them off with a flat shovel into a five-gallon bucket. When you arrive at the fishing hole dump the bucket of chum and fish directly on top of it. This will attract the fish in the area to your bait.
When arriving at your spot get as close to the structure as you can. Sheepshead feed around the structure, but they also use the structure for protection and do not stray far. If you are fishing jetties or any other rock structure, anchor your boat and then throw a brick up into the rocks with a piece of ¼-inch nylon rope attached. Pull the boat closer to the rocks using the line and brick. This will allow you to fish close to the rocks without getting your anchor stuck. Fishing close to structure can be extremely dangerous; all it takes is for the anchor to slip, a big wake, or a rogue wave and you may become part of the structure. Use caution and common sense and be ready at all times to crank the engine and move away if a dangerous situation should arise.
Finally, you are ready to fish. Drop your line right next to the structure and let it sink all the way to the bottom. I like to use just enough weight to get the bait to the bottom and keep it from drifting. This allows me to keep my bait in front of the fish and also helps keep slack from forming in the line. Fishing during periods of slack tide will also improve your odds because you don't have to use as much weight to keep the bait near the bottom (making it easier to feel the fish's bite). When the bait hits the bottom reel in enough to keep bait just off the bottom. Slowly raise and lower the bait with a jigging motion. When you feel the slightest disturbance on the line set the hook. Remember that a Sheepshead has a very tough mouth, so a firm hook set is imperative. Now hang on, these tough fish with their robust bodies put up a heck of a fight, especially on ultra-light tackle. The trick is to put steady pressure on the fish, keep him out of the structure, while wearing him down, and bringing him to the boat.
Sheepshead typically run in schools and experienced anglers can really load a cooler with them. However, like many other fish they are subject to fishing pressures. Keep what you and your family plans on eating, and release the rest for another day. These fish have a wonderful flavor and can be prepared with just about any method you desire.
Andy & Captain Tim H Pickett
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Gone Sheep’n
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