Curious as to where a small boat can get on some sheepshead, if they are hanging around through the cold… I know I can sneak my boat under shipping docks, but I don’t want to get run off all day. I’ve been to the old train trestle by Rimley Point, but if it weren’t for pin fish, dogfish or blowfish I’d catch NO fish. Lol. Help a Fisha out!
the sheeps will move inshore with the cold weather…you should have no problem getting on them in a small boat…sounds like you already know where to go!
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
there are sheeps inshore all winter… just have to move from dock to dock to find them.
quote:
Originally posted by Dustin ColeCurious as to where a small boat can get on some sheepshead, if they are hanging around through the cold… I know I can sneak my boat under shipping docks, but I don’t want to get run off all day. I’ve been to the old train trestle by Rimley Point, but if it weren’t for pin fish, dogfish or blowfish I’d catch NO fish. Lol. Help a Fisha out!
You’re in the right neighborhood. Try other structures near there with 6-25 feet of water on them or directly adjacent. Fish structure that creates lees where you can get to the bottom, and try fishing slack tides (but any will do) at first. Try using mollusks for bait. In my experience, crabs don’t do the trick everywhere, especially when it gets cold. If you want more specific help, PM me, and I’ll gladly help you out.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc.
https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
chum them up!!! Bring a spade and smash the oysters off the pilings at the coal trestle, drop your fiddler or mud crab* down next to the piling…game on! Try using whole mussels* leave them in the shell and push the hook into the shell!
.
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Okay, stupid question maybe but, if you put a whole mussel on a hook, does the sheep take the whole shell in his mouth or nibble at it. I have never caught a sheep and that is on my Winter list.
big sheep eat the whole thing and crush it in the back of their throat.
.
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
Hey saltfisher,
Are the large ones still inshore in the winter? I have never caught any after thanksgiving inshore. Have caught them on nearshore reefs in the winter and early spring. Do they move to deeper water inshore as the water drops? Thanks
I used to think that they all went offshore to spawn when it got cold,but the more I fish for them in the winter, the more I learn. I have caught big sheeps every month of the year both inshore and at the reefs. They do move to deeper waters when the water gets cold. Docks that hold fish in 5 ft of water in summer will be barren…docks with 15-20 ft will hold fish all winter long. They may not eat, but they are there…this is how i know. The pic was taken in Jan inshore
This was caught by my daughter in Feb inshore
Holy Mother!! That’s a big boy right there! I just want to catch a few to fry…but a photo fish would be nice too! Hey, gotchacovered, I’m definitely going to knock some oysters in my bucket when I go. Free bait is ALWAYS the best. Is it true that sheepshead wont eat local caught fiddlers? And if so, why? I have a coffee can that I was going to stick in the mud to catch some, but I heard they wont bite em’…
sheeps will eat local fiddlers, small shrimp, blue crab, oysters and clams
i know this sounds crazy but when i worked at the mount pleasant pier a couple years ago i had a customer catch a 7 pounder with get this… a mud minnow
agree with the earlier post about mollusks working better in the winter… def true
“mr keys”
Shrimp heads are my go to bait of choice.
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quote:
Bring a spade and smash the oysters off the pilings
I’ve often done this in the past and it certainly works, but I was wondering how legal it is? Since oysters can only be harvested in designated areas and I know of some people who got fined for taking just a few from other places, I doesn’t seem like it would be legal to just smash them up. What do yall think? Just asking 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
quote:
Originally posted by Dustin Cole Is it true that sheepshead wont eat local caught fiddlers? And if so, why? I have a coffee can that I was going to stick in the mud to catch some, but I heard they wont bite em'...
Whoever told you that was messing with ya…
When it gets cold and the baitstealers leave, a dime sized piece of oyster, clam, or mussel is the ticket on a 1/0-3/0 Owner Mutu circle hook once chummed in. They get used to sucking up all the tasty bits instead of crushing and backing away. Hook-up ratios are very high as long as you just lift when you feel weight until he makes a panicked move and sets the hook himself. When the water dips below 55 degrees around here, you definitely have to concentrate your efforts deeper then 12 feet.
How deep is the water around the old train trellis at the deepest part. I have a VERY simple boat…no depth/fish finder. Just a 6 horse Johnson and a paddle, but it’s great for creeks and tight spots.
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
Bring a spade and smash the oysters off the pilings
I’ve often done this in the past and it certainly works, but I was wondering how legal it is? Since oysters can only be harvested in designated areas and I know of some people who got fined for taking just a few from other places, I doesn’t seem like it would be legal to just smash them up. What do yall think? Just asking
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
I have had a GW sit right next to me and watch us smash the oysters off a piling. Now taking them and putting them in your boat and going from point A to point b is totally different. It seems to me that the GW would have to see you “harvest” the oysters in order to give you a ticket. If he only saw you with them in the boat, you can say they came from any legal area you want to. It would be a hard ticket to prove.
.
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
It wouldn’t be hard to prove if the GW watched you smash them. Seems about like using short or closed sea bass for cobia bait to me, if it’s illegal to take for food, it’s also illegal to take for bait. And it would be destroying the habitat that attracted the fish in the first place. Oysters are planted to enhance water quality.
It’s just something I’ve always wondered about, but never really worried about. Pass the shovel:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
Another quote from the DNR regulations…
quote:
It is unlawful to use scoops, scrapes, tongs, or dredges to take shellfish without a permit.
Wouldn’t a shovel be considered a scrape?
I think I’ll call the DNR just to satisfy my curiosity. I like to know it when I’m breaking the law anyway:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair