As of RIGHT NOW, are sheeps still in the snapper grouper complex?? Do we still have to use circle hooks? A dnr officer told me last november that as of January 1 they were going to be taken out and circle hooks would no longer be a requirement. I just want to be sure. I am ready to go sheep fishing but I sure do NOT want to have to use circle hooks.
Circle hooks work fine…
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
I have never had a sheep hook itself, if that were the case you could just sit you rod in a rod holder and let the sheeps catch themselves. Anyone who fishes for sheeps knows that is not the case
We catch them all day long on circles
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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”
small circles! Very Sharp!!!
2180 Ranger Bay w 150 Yammi
That’s great sells but does anyone know if you still are REQUIRED to use them.
As of March 2012 sheepshead are still in the complex… Hop on the DNR website get your local officers # and ask them. They get paid to answer our questions. I personally wouldn’t take someones advice off of a forum when it comes to the law… I prefer to hear it straight from the horses mouth.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Sells’ what is the technique? Maybe apply a steady presuure at first hint instead of the usual hookset? Or do they hookthemselves?
YES they are still required, are they enforcing it ???
Technique…I have been using mussels, and put the hook completely inside the mussel. The sheephead or drum swallow the mussel and crush it in the back of their throat, and hook themselves
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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”
quote:
Originally posted by sellsfishYES they are still required, are they enforcing it ???
Technique…I have been using mussels, and put the hook completely inside the mussel. The sheephead or drum swallow the mussel and crush it in the back of their throat, and hook themselves
WOW! That’s why I love this forum. Never heard of this technique, but how cool is that?
Thanks Paul.
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120Do you mean mussels as in mussels…or are you referring to oysters? I know you said mussels…but wasn’t sure…you ow you northern folks use a different language than us at times ;). Lol
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16
Penfishn
Or maybe a “Steamer” 
I have tried the mussels that I sell from Canada, but the little brown ones that are mixed in with the oysters on the pilings work better than anything else I have tried. I did try steamer clams as well, caught black sea bass. Now watch as the hate posts come up for me telling people how to catch sheephead…
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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”
I have posted this before and will post it again. The circle hook is the DEAL for hooking sheeps consistently; especially on soft baits such as clams, oysters, and mussels. When you feel a bite, just lift slowly and apply steady pressure. When the sheep figures something is wrong, he will make a surge and hook himself. The trick is to feel when he fist takes the bait and be able to lift immediately. I will not go back to j-hooks even if they again become legal.
Steamers now there a term I havent Heard in a while
YUMMMMMYYYY
Woodfloats?
As of April 16, 2012 sheepshead will no longer be in the snapper grouper complex. That means there are no gear restrictions and they can be landed and sold without a federal snapper grouper permit. Happy fishing
There won’t be any creel limit as of the 16th either if anyone is interested in loading the boat.
Thats great news hunrgyneck!!! YAY no more circle hooks! Sucks I did want their to be a limit on them though