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 r