How Do You Catch Inshore Sheepshead?
Bummed because your favorite coastal fishing has slowed down due to the cooler temperatures? Try fishing for sheepshead. They are challenging to catch, but LOOK OUT they fight hard! Sheepshead are relatively easy to locate and are fine table fare. Rig your rod & reel having 15-20 lb. monofilament or braided line. Tie on a swivel sinker or slip on an egg sinker. The weight will depend on the speed of the tidal current that you’re in. Generally use a 3/4 oz. sinker. Add a 10-18 inch piece of fluorocarbon leader and tie on a sharp hook. Thick, long shanked, bait hooks work best, in a 1/0 or 2/0 size. Sea circle hooks are also pretty good. Locate dock or bridge pilings that are covered with barnacles or oysters. Areas that look like someone scraped the barnacles off are usually the best. You’ll see barnacles or oysters on the pilings and then you’ll spot a somewhat bare spot. That is where the barnacles or oysters are being eaten off by the sheepshead or someone is actually scraping them o
