if you ever get a chance. try using crappie poles. we have done it a few times and its awesome. realize though you will probably break one or two
22 robalo
Don’t feel bad fishingdou. I landed an 8.98lb two weeks ago, a 10.95lb a week ago, then a ~10lb and ~12lb last Monday (both released), and a 7lb last Tuesday. Then my girls dad comes in town for turkey day wanting a big sheep and we GOOSE EGGED!!! First time in several years I have never at least caught a few sheeps! It was slow for sure! Keep at it and you will bust a big girl!
Assuming you are catching those at the jetties? I am having rough time since can only fish piers at the moment. I hear fishing for them on jetties is much easier lol.
Nope all my sheeps are inshore fish. The big ones are around inshore mixed in with the smaller fish, just need the right bait 
(one of which you already use and its not fiddlers!). Keep at it and experiment with different baits and rigs. You will eventually figure out what works best for you. I will say as far as hooks go, I have moved away from owners and gone to Gamakatsu live bait hooks. The points hold up a lot better and they are super strong hooks for their size.
As far as mussels go, are you using whole? I tried using whole and sat there for 4 hrs not a single taker.
I use a pair of snips to cut the tip off and then slip the hook into the abductor muscle. Some people use a drill and put a small hole through them. Bring a variety of bait…sometimes they want crabs sometimes they want oyster…etc.
Try treble hooks. After many failed attempts and never landing one, the first day I caught one, I caught 5. May help peg those smarter more finicky quality Sheeps you’re after
Yesterday was a swing and miss, water clarity was unreal in cooper. Could see 3-4 ft down and not a single fish was around. Walked entire pier for over 2hrs with 1 bite that pretty sure wasn’t even a sheep ha. Struggles continue.
How you fish mussels depends on the size of the mussel. The large ones I squeeze crack with pliers into a bucket and then after a lot are cracked I shucked them, they are certainly tougher and in my opinion better than oysters, save juice and shells for chum/recycle. The small/medium close to 1 inch I will squeeze crack and hook the whole thing. Then there’s what I call micro mussels that grow in a cluster patty and you just use a small cluster patty and step on it gentle to crush shells but not rip the cluster patty apart. Last time I went was like a week ago and didn’t catch any sheephead because the deeper water was running to strong to sheephead fish but lots of little fish and small black drum. The mussels hold up to a pin fish attacks as good as shrimp and the black drum hook up ratio was 100% on about 9 of them so they really go after them.
Going to try fiddlers today as seems the trick here latey, going to hang a large rod with whole mussle while there and see if anything takes it.
This past Sunday . I still think 14 inches is excessive for a size limit on Sheepshead. A 12 inch Sheephead is great eating size and has plenty of meat on it.
Great thread. Thanks for the detailed tips. Like most fishing, the little things make big difference, not the least of which is technique with rod. Monday I fished jetties and did ok, but boat beside me did much better. So we are in about te same place doing about the same thing…he has the technique down pat
quote:
Originally posted by sellsfishThis past Sunday . I still think 14 inches is excessive for a size limit on Sheepshead. A 12 inch sheEphesus is great eating size and has plenty of meat on it.
Funny how differently people think. If it’s not at least 5 lbs I don’t bother with em. That big rib cage makes for less meat than other fish.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
quote:Did that boat happen to be tan?
Originally posted by Ona MissionGreat thread. Thanks for the detailed tips. Like most fishing, the little things make big difference, not the least of which is technique with rod. Monday I fished jetties and did ok, but boat beside me did much better. So we are in about te same place doing about the same thing…he has the technique down pat
quote:I prefer the bigger sized fish myself and release anything over 10 now to help the population. I love the looks on peoples faces when I return a big fish to the water amongst a crowd at the reef. I've never sold fish for a living though so I understand someone that does wanting to keep everything they catch.
Originally posted by TTKarlquote:
Originally posted by sellsfishThis past Sunday . I still think 14 inches is excessive for a size limit on Sheepshead. A 12 inch sheEphesus is great eating size and has plenty of meat on it.
Funny how differently people think. If it’s not at least 5 lbs I don’t bother with em. That big rib cage makes for less meat than other fish.
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
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Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
I am with on releasing bigger fish, Capt Fritz. There is a lot more pressure on sheeps now than there was 10 yrs ago. I wish they would have made the limit 16in and 5 per person. Numbers and size have been down for me the past couple years, but maybe its just me.
Love to see I am not only one whole fishes for recreation and not just food haha. I will keep 1 per trip if medium size. Also, kinda considering looking for a completely different spot after experience this morning. Went out to the pier here on NWS this morning grab few trout on top water before work and got to see a couple sheepshead fishing with a cooler full of fish (maybe 10+ fish)and not one of which looked legal. Fun times…
quote:
Originally posted by FishingDuoLove to see I am not only one whole fishes for recreation and not just food haha. I will keep 1 per trip if medium size. Also, kinda considering looking for a completely different spot after experience this morning. Went out to the pier here on NWS this morning grab few trout on top water before work and got to see a couple sheepshead fishing with a cooler full of fish (maybe 10+ fish)and not one of which looked legal. Fun times…
Did you call Dnr and report them?
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PROUD YANKEE
Oyster Baron
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”
Last 2 times I have reported the issues on the NWS I have been basically cold shouldered. There are volunteer game wardens who supposedly work the area but I have seen one over maybe 30 fishing trips. Kinda frustrating.
quote:
Originally posted by FishingDuoLast 2 times I have reported the issues on the NWS I have been basically cold shouldered. There are volunteer game wardens who supposedly work the area but I have seen one over maybe 30 fishing trips. Kinda frustrating.
You’ve just got to love their selective enforcement of laws. Turn a blind eye to blatant game violations but fry your hiney in a second for fishing an area in Goose Creek that has no military significance anymore.