What’s the best rig for sheepshead? Anyone use small treble hooks?
No.
Sheepshead rigs are pretty simple.
Inshore: 20 lb flouro to a small owner circle. Prefer the mutu, but I’ve used the live bait ones and I think the gorilla ones. You’re just looking for a strong small hook really. Sheep’s have a strong bite after all. 
Usually #1 or 1\O. Add enough split shot to keep the bait vertical in the water column. Less weight is best.
Offshore: Same principal, small hooks but usually I bump up the leader to 30 lb for the potential big fish. Carolina rig style with two ounce egg or just enough weight to remain vertical depending on the current. Lead will be anywhere between two ounces and four ounces, just depends on water movement.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Trebles and clams never work:smiley:
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
If you do a search, you will find 2 dozen threads on this topic. Some of them will have tons of good information in them.
I like a light chicken rig of 20-30 lb flourocarbon with small j hooks and a couple few ounces of lead to keep it vertical. Small trebles with clams, shrimp I oysters will work too. Just try it all and see what YOU like best.
Just beware of the super-special-Bonzo paperclip method… Deadly!
15’ Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro
20-30 lb test leader 6-8" with a one ounce egg weight and a J-hook.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
quote:
Originally posted by xmanJust beware of the super-special-Bonzo paperclip method… Deadly!
saltfisher’s supposed to be working on new prototypes…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Bonzo, saw him fishing it last week. It sure slayed the dogfish!!
I like the weight below the hook: weight to swivel where short leader and hook is tied on, feel the bite good. Don’t need a swivel if you know some knots.
“Don’t tell fish stories where people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.” Mark Twain
If you need a treble to catch sheepshead, you ain’t no fushermin!
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
I agree with what 23 said…30# leader…small hook…and a split shot…simple and easy…also dont get worried if I lose a few…not too much to lose with these…
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot.”
Kellen Easterby
Seel’s Outboard
Lots of opinions, but I’ve always preferred using plain, clear, 17# mono with split shot and a 2/0 mosquito hook inshore and have landed numerous sheepshead over 10# with it. Lighter line and less junk between you and the hook means more sensitivity to the bite. (On dense structure like the “coal chute”, you may do better with heavier line for obvious reasons.)
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
https://stricklandmarineinsurance.com
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862