As cooler weather patterns begin to emerge in Florida, new fishing opportunities also start. Sheepshead have started to migrate back inshore and can be targeted by Kayak Fishermen.
Equipment
While most Sheepshead average less than 4 pounds, stout equipment can be useful. Sheepshead live near docks, piers, rock piles and other structure that can destroy light tackle. Here is a good rig for Sheepshead.
- #2 ultra sharp J hook
- 12” 20lb fluorocarbon leader
- Enough weight to hold
- 12lb or heavier main line
Using a Carolina type rig, place the egg sinker just above a swivel.
Techniques
Sheepshead are master bait thief’s. They will quickly remove any bait from a hook with only the subtlest clue that they were ever even there. Salty old Sheapshead fisherman say “you have to set the hook before the Sheapshead even hits”
To catch Sheapshead anchor the kayak up current from structure. Drop a fiddler crab, live shrimp or sandflee down on the rig explained above. Once a tap is felt, set the hook with a sharp upward motion.
Most successful Sheapshead fishermen are happy with a 40% hookup ratio, some even lower. Sheapshead a re difficult to hook, not only because of their bait stealing abilities, but also because of their very hard, toothy mouth.
Because Sheapshead are often found by structure it is important to power them away from the structure as soon as the hook is set.
Tips
- Fiddler Crabs are the most successful bait
- Use ultra sharp hooks to increase hook set success
- While a 12” Sheepshead is legal in Florida, 14” is normally the smallest kept because of limited meat on smaller fish.
- Chumming the waters with crushed oysters increases the number Sheepshead caught
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