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Sheepshead Bite Is Strong

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By BILL MILLER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2009

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

Sheepshead are biting well all over the area. Popular spots for sheepshead include all bridges, artificial reefs, sea walls and docks. Sheepshead also can be found on the flats but are extremely spooky and very seldom can they be caught. The one exception is on negative low tides. Sheepshead will gang up in the deeper holes when the water on the flat is too shallow. In these conditions, they will readily bite a piece of shrimp on a jig head.

Bridge and structure fishermen have the best luck with sheepshead. Shrimp is the most popular bait because it is easy to get. Fiddler crabs can sometimes be bought at the bait shops, but most of the time they must be rounded up along mangrove beaches on low tide. Green mussels, which are readily available, attach themselves to bridge pilings and rocks, and can be scraped off the structure and cracked open with a hammer. Inside is an oyster-like meat that can be threaded on a hook.

Terminal tackle should include a 1/0 or 2/0 hook, 30-pound fluorocarbon leader and just enough weight to get your bait to the bottom. Scraping the pilings with a flat hoe will get scent and food in the water and will help in drawing the sheepies to you or getting a feeding frenzy started. Braided line will help feel the sheepshead's soft bite and prevent cutoffs on the structure. The minimum size is 12 inches measured to the fork of the tail. The daily bag limit is 15 per person.

Captain Bill Miller hosts "Hooked on Fishing" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. on Bright House Sports Network, Channel 47.

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