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Sheepshead Are In Plentiful Supply Now

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 14, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Frank Sargeant.

Sheepshead are not a glamour species, but when it comes to table qualities, they're nearly unbeatable. And right now, these striped panfish are moving into coastal rivers, residential canals and dredge holes where they'll spend most of the winter.

Sheepshead are rarely caught on lures, or on the ever popular scaled sardines, so anglers chasing snook often don't even know they are there. But for those who choose live shrimp, the sheepsheads quickly reveal themselves.

Sheepshead mostly eat oysters, barnacles and small crabs, so they're most likely to be found along rocky shorelines, concrete seawalls, oyster bars or rip-rap where these foods are common.

The Manatee, Little Manatee and Alafia are all good bets right now, with the fish most likely to show in the lower two miles or so of these streams. They also settle into potholes like those found at Cockroach Bay, Bishop's Harbor and the Kitchen near Gibsonton.

The fish average 1 to 3 pounds, but 5-pounders are caught on occasion. They have small mouths, so a small hook is necessary - a size 1 or 2 is the usual choice. Some anglers do well by fishing half a fresh shrimp on a 1/4 -ounce jig head.

The trick in catching sheepshead is to use microfiber line and keep light tension on the bait so you feel every nibble. Tighten up quickly and set with a short, sharp pull and you should have sheepshead fillets for lunch.

For Tribune Outdoors Editor Frank Sargeant's column, see Page 4. For Tribune Outdoors Editor Frank Sargeant's column, see Page 4.

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