I’m looking for a sheepshead bait that black sea bass won’t bite. Have any of you tried periwinkles ( the small snails that climb on to marsh grasses at high tide)?
there’s nothing a BSB won’t bite
I have heard of periwinkles being used, but crabs, shrimp, oysters, mussels, and clams probably account for 99.9% of intentionally caught sheepshead
FIRST we need to know where your sheephead hole is, SECOND, YOU should always fish SQUID or CLAM STRIPS to cut back on BSB. But seriously get a large mussel or medium clam and gently smash to produce more scent put maintain most of its structural strength secure your hook in it good and wait. Sheep head have strong mouths they bite shells like this off the reef so no worries of them not eating it. This is a way to cull out the little guys and should cut back on BSB but you will probably catch some still.
FIRST we need to know where your sheephead hole is, SECOND, YOU should always fish SQUID or CLAM STRIPS to cut back on BSB. But seriously get a large mussel or medium clam and gently smash to produce more scent put maintain most of its structural strength secure your hook in it good and wait. Sheep head have strong mouths they bite shells like this off the reef so no worries of them not eating it. This is a way to cull out the little guys and should cut back on BSB but you will probably catch some still.
I fully agree with 40 on this, mussels are they way to go. Chum well with oysters and use the mussels to weed out smaller sheeps. Hang on and real.
Speaking of sheeps. any of you ever try a drop shot rig for them? Sinker on the bottom of the leader like a chicken rig, then a polamar knot to attach the hook above the sinker. Looks like it would give a better feel for the bite than a carolina rig.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
I have had success with a rig like that.
I’ve caught sea bass on bare hooks on more than one occasion. Good luck with that.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
They will eat any and everything. I’ve caught them on chicken rigs with both baits swallowed.