Tips and Tricks

For those who have not been fishing for sheepshead before, or have not done so in a while, this page is to provide useful pointers to help you catch your target fish.

• Use a shellfish or crustacean bait, be it shrimp, crab, or oyster. Sheepshead mainly feed on crustaceans and shellfish, so using the correct bait is imperative to your success.
• Fish near structure. Sheepshead like hiding around places with solid structure in salty water. It provides them with shelter from larger predators, fishermen, and provides them with a source of food: the barnacles on the structure.
  • Look for barnacles. These are often an indicator for sheepshead, as they are a food source for them. The uglier the dock, the better.
• These fish tend to school up, so if you find one, it is very likely that more are waiting where it came from.
• Bring a net. These fish can be very hard to handle into the boat, as they squirm a lot, have slippery slime that protects them from bacteria, and hypodermic spines all across their fins. For landing, use a net. For handling, a puncture-proof glove.
• Use a transparent leader or main line. These fish are very smart, and can see your fishing line if you use braid or colored line.
• Replace your leader or retie often. Because these fish live near barnacle-covered structure, fighting them out can often end in damaged line. The last thing any angler wants is to lose the winning fish to a broken line.
• Use a rod you are very familiar with. If you choose to use a rod you are not familiar with, it will show. You need to know your fishing rod and how to use it very well, as hooking these fish is difficult, even with the most familiar equipment. Make sure you know how to set the hook properly and when to set the hook.
• Especially is you are on a boat or kayak, be prepared for it to be cold. When you are right next to the water, you will notice how cold the humidity can make it. For your own well-being, please bring or wear warm clothing.
• Practice casting into very tight spots. Most of the larger fish will hide deeper within the structure and need to be lured out. Being able to cast accurately will greatly improve your chances at nailing the winning fish.
• Wear polarized sunglasses. Being able to see through the water and see the fish can help you save time and bait. The distinct convict pattern of these fish can be seen very well with good sunglasses.
• Use weights. These fish are often lower in the water column, and being able to reach the bottom is a necessity. Use enough weight to reach the bottom, but not so much that it spooks the fish. I suggest no more than one ounce inshore.
• Get to weigh-in on time. This tournament is very specific about when you can weigh in. Anywhere between 1 PM and 4 PM, but YOU MUST BE IN LINE BY 4PM IN ORDER TO WEIGH IN. If you are not in line by 4, your fish will not count. Therefore, take into consideration how long it takes to get back to Nauti Parrot.