Hey guys, I’ve heard that small clams can be really good Sheepshead bait. Anyone ever tried this? Also, where would you find these? I’m sure i’ve stumbled across clusters here and there but have never paid much attention.
The clusters you are talking about are probably mussels. I use them all the time with great results. Sheepshead tend to just inhale them instead of nibbling them like fiddlers. Just be ready to rebait often since they stay on the hook about as well as snot.
how to people hook shells? thanks fellas and do you go to the “structure” and knock some shells off to get them started? thanks guys i never caught a sheepshead before and really wanting to!
Thanks Yak. Yeah, I meant Mussels, not clams. Where would I find these?
caught some today on oysters. be ready quick because just like jordan said, they will inhale them not really nibble on them. Once it hits the bottom count to 1 and a half and set the hook! be careful not to knock too many oysters and barnicles in the water or you will ruin a good spot; once the food source is gone so are the fish
If you want to target larger sheeps leave the mussel in the shell. Thread the hook into the seam between the two shells leaving the point and barb exposed. I suggest a circle hook. You can also make a small crack in the shell with a pair of pliers to get the juice flowing.
Great info everyone, thanks! This might be an obvious question, but where are the best places to find mussel clusters?
awesome thanks guys ill give it a try
Not sure of how to hook to the sheel still on? Also how many oysters/mussels would you say are good per person for sheepshead fishing for say 3 hours? I’m on a sheepshead quest and fiddlerss aren’t cutting it! Would a small chunk from a blue crab work? I heard 1/0 or 2/0 mosquito hooks for sheepies using fiddlers, what y’all using for shellfish?
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Best thing for sheep’s I’ve found is the little rubber bands for braces. Get the biggest ones you can find and put it around your fiddler. Then stick the hook under it instead of through the crab. The fish usually bites through the rubber band and when he sucks the guts out, it goes with him. You go through a lot of them, but they usually are inexpensive if you know somebody that has braces. Get them to pick up a couple extra packs next time they go to the orthodontist. Use the same small circle hooks and it works pretty good.
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All of you guys have talked about how to catch the sheepshead using the little clams or mussels Young Tyler was talking about in his post but no one has answered his question where to find them. I just went on a charter boat and our captain used these little mussels in clumps to catch sheepshead they worked very well but he wouldn’t tell us where to find them either. Could someone let us all in on where to find these little sheepshead delights.
In terms of finding mussels, I look for sandy areas with marsh grass on both sides. The mussels live in the muddy/sandy transition area between the two and in the more sandy mud. Many time the roots of the grass will be entwined around mussels. You can see about half of the shell poking through. I dig them with a fork and just take a few here and a few there so as not to destroy the habitat.
quote:
Originally posted by tigerfinBest thing for sheep’s I’ve found is the little rubber bands for braces. Get the biggest ones you can find and put it around your fiddler. Then stick the hook under it instead of through the crab. The fish usually bites through the rubber band and when he sucks the guts out, it goes with him.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>And set the hook BEFORE you feel the bite!
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