I always wanted to catch these things. I know there is the lame mandatory circle hook rule with them.
lite nibbling fish + circle hook= sounds very hard to hook up.
I have used small home-made circle hooks- plier bent small octopus hooks- to catch big bluegills in freshwater without gut-hooking them and larger circle hooks in the surf for bluefish and reds.
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What to do if i believe there is a sheepshead nibbling on my circle hook? lift the rod slowly or start reeling?
Will the circle hook get the sheepshead without additonal effort?
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Can sheepshead be taken on a float rig? if they bite lightly, how can I tell if a sheepshead is taking my bait?
I never caught these bandits even by accident!
Circle hooks no longer required.
Im not the greatest sheaphead fisherman in the world but I use a carolina rig with a fiddler crab on it. Drop it straight down to the bottom next to a piling and reel it up a foot off of the bottom. I slowly lift the rod up a couple feet and then put it back down lift up again, etc… If you feel additional weight give it a yank. If you feel a bite and no fish then it is too late and they have already took your bait. I catch one for every 3-5 bites i get. Bring plenty of crabs.
I still can’t get a feel for hooking them. I do just what you mentioned about slowly moving the line up and down. I almost always feel him but can’t figure out how to hook them. I’ve tried reeling slow when I feel him but I never get a hookset doing that. I’ve tried yanking the rod to set the hook but they seem to stay on just a second and they’re gone. I tried waiting on the line to move but doing that I end up with no bait. I just can’t get a knack for hooking them consistently. That’s what makes it fun though
I guess but it can be frustrating.
quote:
Originally posted by SublimeOne
Circle hooks no longer required.
From DNR site…
Possession of a dehooking device is required when fishing for snapper grouper species. Non-stainless circle hooks are required when fishing with natural baits for snapper
grouper species.
Sheepshead were removed from the snapper grouper complex in late April 12.
fishing straight down is the easiest way… short leader. 6" or less…very sharp hook,i use owner mosquito #2/0. 1/2 to 1 oz lead fishing 10’ of water or more, let the bait hit bottom,lift about a foot and wait,sometimes the line just moves,set the hook…every so often,slowly lift the rod,if you feel resistance,set the hook… if it moves,bumps or does anything…set the hook
there are currently no size possession or other restrictions on sheepshead. It is my understanding that the SC LEGISLATURE is in the process of passing a law to institute a minimum size of 14 inches and a bag limit of 10/ day. However at present there are no restrictions.
Hooking sheepsheads is like learning to drive a stick shift automobile. At first it seems hard as hell but when you relax and say to yourself " I’ll never get this…"; BOOM, fish on.
Braid line with a mono leader, plenty of fiddlers, patience and perseverence…Braid line help you feel everything!! If fish farts next to your hook your pole will vibrate!! I use a jighead (weight depending on current) with a fiddler crab. Sheepshead fishing might bump up considering the Black Sea Bass are about to get weeded out!! Also, I always have better luck with structure that comes off the bottom significantly!!
Hooked on The Aquatic Narcotic
17’ Key West
“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day…Teach a man to fish, he’ll probably be in your spot next time.”
LKJ
I have had success using large split shot and a 2/0 owner hook, something sharp. Usually use 3 split shot (in calm water) spaced out about 2 inches apart then about 9" to the hook, can use leader if desired I usualy just trust my 15lb cajun red. Get as close to the piling as possible and stay as vertical as possible. Let the rig slowly drop down the piling and hold bait just off the bottom and about every 15 seconds slowly lift up, if you even think it feels like your line has some weight, even if its just a difference in water pressure, jerk the hell out of it. One quick jerk and dont reel 'til you feel him. Just keep the rod tip moving up. You’ll get the feel…
Also, try pcs. of oysters, mussels, and clams. Better if slightly heated/cooked to add some ‘meaty-ness’ and will stay on da hook mo’ betta.
Dang convicts need a good dentist 
Live bait only then huh? Been trying to catch them on a shakey head bass rig with a twin tail grub but only reds and flounder so far. Love to look at those horse tooth critters and hear they are good eating. Anybody fool em with artificials yet? Spoons? Plastics??
Also, look up the bass fishing “drop shot” rig and try that with your live bait. I bet you’ll like the results you get with it. I’m still fooling with the fake stuff as I have a garage full of it from the bass wars.
Chuck D - Hilton Head, SC
Ranger z21 Intracoastal
Merc 250 ProXS
Power Pole Pro’s x2
Lowrance Gen2