Getting big-headed

If you consider sheepshead "panfish," you're going to need a bigger pan for the next couple of months.

Though 'heads caught in winter average 1 or 2 pounds, those caught from the full moon in February through the end of March are like a different breed. These are mature spawners that spend much of their time on offshore reefs where anglers more commonly seek grouper and snapper. The average fish might exceed 5 pounds, with a few 8-pound giants caught every now and then.

The fish move to rocky ledges to spawn, and one of the best-known spots in the state is along the shipping channel edge just east of the Sunshine Skyway. Rock piles and divots in the edge of the channel there create ideal habitat for the spawners, and they cluster by the dozens — sometimes by the hundreds.

You can find the most obvious drops because there are usually several boats anchored over them, but easing along the channel with an eye on the sonar can reveal many more productive locations.

Fresh-cut shrimp on a 1/0 to 2/0 medium wire hook and suspended above 2 ounces of lead, or up to 4 ounces when strong currents are running, does the job. I like microfiber line for this job, because it transmits the bite so much more sharply, and also allows a much better hook set than stretchy mono. Anything from 15-pound test up works fine.

The old joke in sheepsheading is that the time to set the hook is just before they bite — but because that's a bit difficult to time, a better bet is to ignore the first bump and set on the second, or anytime you feel weight on the rod. The microfiber gives a huge advantage in sensing the bite.

Other baits that work well for sheepshead are green mussels, fiddler crabs and tubeworms. They rarely eat baitfish, though a piece of cut mullet or pinfish will occasionally catch them.

Other areas where sheepshead show at this time of year include artificial reefs off the beaches and inside Tampa Bay and rocky edges of deeper residential canals.

The west side of Sarasota Bay has several highly productive spots where you can see dozens of 'heads swarming in the clear water. They also gather in Bunces Pass in several areas, including right at the boat ramp at times. Fish in these areas get plenty of pressure, however, so it takes a bit more finesse to catch them. An unweighted shrimp on a light wire hook, cast on spinning gear, might be necessary.

Venice Inlet, particularly the South Jetty, is another famed sheepshead spawning spot. They also gather on the edges of Boca Grande Pass where the sand falls away to rock.

Big sheepshead are even harder to clean than the little guys because of dagger-like spines and tough skin, but they're worth it.

The white meat is some of the best in the sea; it's great broiled, baked or fried. Use a pair of kitchen shears to nip the spines, then a carefully honed fish knife to knock off the fillets and trim around the rib cage. Flip the fillets and slide the knife between skin and flesh, and they're ready for the pan.