A 4/0 hook is a good start. These fishes possess powerful jaws and sharp teeth and could easily break weak or thin hooks. use only enough weight to keep the bait below the water. Smaller Shark: Same as above, but increase leader length to. Although sheepshead are found all along the eastern US and South American Atlantic coastline, they particularly like the Gulf waters around Florida. The fishing hooks that come in this. However, using a #1 size hook is sage if you use larger bait, such as a large minnow. If I'm fishing for bigger sheepshead I'll go up to a 2/0 hook. Planning another trip soon and will be dropping to size 4 hooks in the hopes that I can gut hook a few more Sorry for the long post but this is really frustrating me. 12" minimum size limit; no closed season; 15 per person per day limit General Information. 4 X Strong Hook. How and what is the set up for sheepshead. Fiddler crabs are widely considered to be the best bait for sheepshead. Plenty of predators eat the eggs and the juveniles. A stout steel No. 5oz, Pearl White) Our standup style jig head is the standard in sheepshead fishing!It’s difficult to feel the bites and set a hook in the small mouth of a sheepshead. Sheepshead fish grow squarish, human-like teeth as they mature so they can feed on hard-shelled prey. , 8 MM Dia. One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells. You will get some perfect hook ups in the corner of the mouth and also some catches in the roof that can hold till you get the net under them. These smaller circle hooks allow for the smaller mouthed, sometimes undetectable hitting fish to frequently hook themselves. Best Hook For Sheepshead. What Size Hook For Trout: Best Hooks (Sizes) For Trout Fishing 2022; Best Backpacking Fishing Rod 2022: Best Collapsible Fishing Rod For Backpacking;. He managed to land a 26. It is a hook on your line with a shrimp that is free to swim around. Owner American Mosquito Hook For Sheepshead. Where to Locate Sheepshead. Sheepshead must not be taken with double or treble (any multi-hook) rig with live or dead bait. Sheepshead fishing in Florida has become almost a way of life. What size hooks for live shrimp? For shrimp, I like to use a #1 or #2 circle hook. The two hooks I prefer are both Owner’s the Gorilla Light or the Flyliner Live Bait hooks in size 1, 2 and 4 If you are looking for actual size i would say no bigger than a dime and a little smaller would be fine. Species: Striped Bass, Red Drum, Flounder, Sea Trout, Bluefish, Snook. “For their size, they truly fight with all they have. Over on the Port Orange Causeway at Donald’s Bait and Tackle, Craig Patterson (no relation to Jeff) prefers his longtime method when targeting sheepshead: Size 1/0 or 2/0 short-shank, live-bait. Minimum size: 15″ minimum. Just be aware that sometimes they mark #1 hooks as 1/0 and they are too small. LinkBack. Fairly common up to 7 pounds and maxing out around 20 pounds. 5 inches (76 cm) and 22 pounds (9. Size: Sheepshead are common at around 30 inches and 5 to 15 pounds. Sheepshead are a restricted species - which means they have both a legal size limit and a bag limit. In this booklet, we will first describe the natural history of the sheeps-In the early stages of life, immature freshwater drum are a food fish for many predators. Take the hook, a size 1 long shank version being ideal, and simply hook it lightly through the back of its body and out through the shell. #3. In 2020, the average size recreational sheepshead was 13 inches FL (Table 4). You can switch out the egg sinker with a fish finder slide and a weight as seen in the. These crabs are somewhat delicate, but at the same time are a fairly hardy bait that stays. 25 oz, 1. They have also been known to hang underneath schools of spadefish as well. The first is a Carolina rig with an egg sinker, a barrel swivel, a 12 to 18-inch leader of fluorocarbon, and a 3/0 hook with a live fiddler crab. Although Alabama’s size minimum for sheepshead is 12 inches fork length with a 10-fish bag limit, Newton and Bannon said a fish that measures 15 to 16 inches is a preferable size to keep. A hook. They have small mouths with teeth that look almost human and small hooks are. Take the hook point and insert it in between the bottom two legs of the crab. Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. Atlantic Ocean: Recreational and commercial fishers are required to use dehooking devices as needed while fishing for reef fish. The sinker rests on top of the hook’s eye when you get down to the bottom. When considering hooks for sheepshead, think smaller, not larger. “A No. Fiddler Crabs. Cranka did their homework when designing this lure with this feature. Its hard to remember which size bead or cone matches what size hook. Sheepshead, on the other hand will rarely get over 10 to 12 pounds. Red Bead, Size 5 Sinker Slide, 3 Oz. 6 kg) (35 cm). . So, if you can obtain them, that’s what you should usually try first. Let’s go over the gear for targeting sheepshead. I've always done real well with the Eagle Claw model #084 size 4. Factors Affecting Hook Size Selection Now that we’ve covered some fish species and their recommended hook sizes, it’s important to consider additional factors when choosing the right hook size for pier fishing:A good 7 foot medium action rod and reel combo with 20 pound test line, split shot and some 2/0 J-hooks is all the gear you need to get started catching sheepshead. The hooks need to be sharp enough to penetrate the. I’ll use anything from 8″ up to 18″ sheepshead on 8/0 circle hooks. As juveniles, they eat any soft-bodied animals they can find and a variety of small, shelled. However, sheepshead don’t only have large teeth—they also have large lips, which represent a great target for your hook tips. We love the simplicity of this recipe with salt, pepper and a compound garlic butter to finish it off. 5: 08/29/1992: Mississippi River: Crawford. Dubiel’s VMC weighted hooks range from 1⁄16- to ¼-ounce. Cons: It takes a long time. What is the largest hook size? Fishing hook sizes are generally referred to by a number from the smallest (size 32) to the largest ( size 19/0 ). Fiddler Crabs – Best Bait For Sheepshead. Adult sheepshead grows to be around 1-8 pounds (. Hence, I prefer size 4/0 hooks in Reedy’s 187 suicide for their versatility. Image of stick gear typically used in the California sheephead fishery with four hooks attached to a ground line along a piece of rebar with buoy attached. . One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells. Convict fish and black drums will be attracted to sections of huge blue crabs or full fiddler crabs on a hook under a popping cork. What size Leader To Use For Black Drum . For smaller baitfish, like a threadfin or finger mullet, I like to use a #2, #1, or 1/0 circle hook. What kind of hook should I use for sheepshead? I was told "the small the better" by the tackle shop; I read "small circle hook" on line; I read "Mutu light 1/0" on one of Florida fishing magazine two days ago. Sheepshead utilize nearshore coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. For bait use fiddler crabs of small live shrimp. The two hooks I prefer are both Owner’s the Gorilla Light or. A #1 or #2 J-hook or circle hook is best for live bait. Sheepshead are also known to stay suspended and even just under the surface near the pilings. So you need a hook small enough to fit in their mouth, but strong enough that it won’t be broken. braided line. The hook point should be pointing the same direction as the barb on the shrimps head. They can reach a size of up to 30". Due to their small mouths and ample dentures, they can clean a hook in a split second. In our experience, some of the best hooks to use are the Mustad 2/0 and 3/0 Octopus hooks. Hanzlik’s Sheepshead 0. The minimum size limit for sheepshead is 10 inches fork length, which is measured from the fork in the tail to the tip of the snout. See Also: What Size Spinning Reel for Sheepshead? Things To Consider! A braided line is generally helpful in combating line break due to the sheepshead’s large teeth, and anglers use anywhere from 15 to 25-pound test. Hook Strength: 1X strong. 99 $ 9 . A full-grown sheepshead will grow up to three feet long, reports Live Science. . Believe it or not, sheepshead can actually bite through the light wire hooks sometimes used for inshore trout fishing. bothersome to actually hook a Sheepshead and then lose it on the barnacles on the structure surrounding them. Randy’s tactic of choice for sheepshead is is fishing with fiddler crabs on a jig head. You’ll know you cut through the artery if there is a lot of blood loss or blood on the knife. The knocker rig is similar to the Carolina rig. Like the others said, don't set the hook. Use a dropper loop size 6 or 8 weights, use 1 or 2 live bait hooks remove the head but make sure keep the slimy portion of the shrimp and do not remove the shell so it will stay better in the hooks. Gear Requirements: Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig; Illegal Gear: Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; Snatching prohibited. Brian Summerlin, of Princess Anne, caught the 16. One of the most popular ways to catch sheepshead is with a carolina rig The Carolina rig is also known as the sliding sinker rig because it consists of an egg sinker that can slide up and down the line. Step #3: Put a split shot about 1′ up. Leader material. Sheepshead an also be targeted on IGFA compliant fly fishing tackle (learn what you need to know regarding IGFA rules for fly fishing). Factors Affecting Hook Size Selection Now that we’ve covered some fish species and their recommended hook sizes, it’s important to consider additional factors when choosing the right hook size for pier fishing: The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. When saltwater fishing recreationally with hook and line gear on the Gulf of Mexico’s reef, fishing regulations require that you use de-hooking equipment. See moreAnglers seeking sheepshead prefer a medium-stout 6 to 7-foot rod and a reel with 15 to 20 lb. . For hook sizes from 32 to 1, the larger the number, the smaller the hook. Often, the crabs will be knocked off the rocks. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers with small mouths like mangrove snappers and sheepshead. These fish are often found around pylons of bridges/piers, rock piles. . What size hooks for sheepshead? Sheepshead: Because of the structure of a sheepshead mouth and all the molars you will need a very small J hook. As for croaker fishing rigs, Jeff likes to use a two-hook rig with size 6 or 8 hooks. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers with small mouths like mangrove snappers and sheepshead. For most fishing applications, a #1 or #1/0 short shank live bait hook works best. Sheepshead are marked by 4 or 6 vertical dark bars (stripes) on their sides. The size of the treble hook should match the size of the crankbait. 30. This type of hook is fine for catching an average fish, but when it comes to a sheepshead fish – it’s not strong enough. For larger, tougher baitfish, like big pinfish or croakers, I’ll go with a 3/0 to 5/0 circle hook. on the Dauntless party boat continues to rock hop in the Shrewsbury area. 15kg) Snapper on a size 4/0 hook and, later that day, smaller ones up to 35 centimeters on the same size. In super clear water or when using single eggs or very small baits, I will drop down to a size 12 and a size 14 wide gap hook that is thick enough to not bend on big steelhead. The 3 most important attributes of the hook is strength, size and sharpness. This is a popular method for getting Sheepshead to bite, but you need to make sure your hook and lure are on the smaller size. This method works great fooling the sheepshead,the hook is buried in the head of the shrimp, just make sure the shrimp is small. Sheepshead must be larger than 12" - measured from the tip. Anglers seeking sheepshead prefer a medium-stout 6 to 7-foot rod and a reel with 15 to 20 lb. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers…. Many anglers fish next to a piling. In the numbered sizes, the largest commonly available size is #1. One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells. When a sheepshead is holding over a deeper structure, you may not feel comfortable dropping right into their fortress. 80 $ 2. Best way to keep bait on the hook. Hook-Eye: Reversed, turned-up tapered eye. The sheepshead fish is a deep-bodied, marine fish with sharp dorsal spines. 2 split-shot,” he says. As for croaker fishing rigs, Jeff likes to use a two-hook rig with size 6 or 8 hooks. Top; All; This Page; Thread: Small hooks, small fresh dead shrimp for croakers and whiting. jig and Eagle Claw bait holder are recommended. If you are targeting large Balck Drum, you can increase your leader size up to 40lb. Daily—4. This lightweight hook lets the shrimp swim freely. The movement of the hook presents the bait naturally to the sheepshead and usually ends up in more frequent hookups. This type of hook is fine for catching an average fish, but when it comes to a sheepshead fish – it’s not strong enough. A 1. if you just put your bait down and walk away, you will come back to an. Size And Weight. Season: Open year. 2. My go to rod for sheepshead the TFO Professional Series – particularly a 7’0 ( PRO S 704-1) or 6’ 6” M Mod-Fast ( PRO S 664-1) spinning rod paired with a Florida Fishing Products Osprey CE 3000. Average size of sheepshead fish. They have prominent teeth with incisors, molars and rounded grinders that enable them to crush shellfish and sea urchins. S. Many types of hooks work very well to catch Sheepshead. They have also been known to hang underneath schools of spadefish as well. When hooking a live sand flea, care must be taken as it must still be able to move freely. As the shad here grow through the year we continually upsize our hooks. To start, remove the larger claws off of the fiddler crabs. # Preview Product Price; 1 : Hunting and Fishing Depot Fiddler Crab Sheepshead Jigs : $5. 10 lb 6 oz Sheepshead. Sheephead fish have a limited range primarily in the southern half of California and Northern Baja. In between, the scale goes from #32 to #1 and then from 1/0 to 20/0. The smaller size is perfect for worms around 6 inches ,. weight 18 inches below them with Shrimp or fiddler crabs and you will dramatically improve the hook-up rate for Sheepshead. The number 6 hooks equally well but you'll go through a bunch of them as the. This forms a natural gate. Best Sinker Size For Sheepshead. slip egg sinker 3' above the hook. If its slack tide or a slow moving tide I use a smaller hook with two or three split shots about 6 to 10 inches above it. The best hook size for mangrove snapper and sheepshead is a #1 J hook or a 1/0 circle hook. For the new angler, fishing for Sheepshead can be a good place to start. Jig head weight varies based on depth and current, but a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce generally fits the sheepshead zone, while you may need to go as big as 1/2 for a stronger current. Our local grounds provide a virtual smorgasbord for these fish, with green crabs and other. Bank sinker. In her kayak, Emily Rose. Bass: size 5 through 4/0 Catfish: size 2 through 6/0 Bullheads: size 7 through 1 Carp: size 3 through 1Minimum Size Limit: 12" total length. For smaller baitfish, like a threadfin or finger mullet, I like to use a #2, #1, or 1/0 circle hook. A size 3/0 to 5/0 should do the trick. Above the leader place a swivel and just enough weight to hold its place in the current that is being fished. 1 or No. Figure 2-6. Beer Mixture. fish reaches a larger adult size. Hook the live shrimp just under the "horn", or ridge on top of its head. My go-to rig for catching sheepshead around structure is a dropper rig. Best Hook Size For Sheepshead . Have caught 5 sheepshead in two trips, but have lost NUMEROUS amounts of them. Weight: Small splitshot 10" up from the hook in light current or a slip sinker above a small swivel when heavier weight is needed. Another popular alternative is to use a bare jig, ranging from 1/4 ounce for structure in 8 to 10 feet of water and moderate tidal flow up to 3 ounces for depths to 40. Try to use a smaller, thinner hook because thick hooks can kill these crabs quickly. Sheepshead utilize nearshore coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. Simply slide an egg sinker and bead on to your main line, the tie a 60+ lb snap swivel, and attach your 50 lb leader, with a 4/0 to 8/0 circle hook. EP 182: How To Catch Sheepshead On Fake Crabs!!! 30. When it comes to comparing black drum and sheepshead fish, there’s a noticeable difference in size. Tsunami Carbon Shield II Spinning Rods are designed with Fuji K Guides with Fazlite inserts. When fishing for Sheepshead I like to use chunks of quartered blue crab. Rig with 20-pound braided line with fluorocarbon leader. Use a Knocker Rig Close to Structure. A two to four ounce sinker should be enough and hook size will often be determined by the mouth of the fish you chase. Carolina rig: one-ounce egg sinker on running line tied to swivel; 12- to 18-inch, 40-pound leader running from swivel to hook; Bottom rig: weight on bottom with some sort of dropper hook attached between it and a swivel; use a 30- to 50-pound line; Carolina Rig and Dropper Rig Jigs and Bottom. Deschenes suggests two different rigs to fish for sheepshead. Put them on ice immediately, keep just the smaller and medium-size ones and fry them up fresh. usually with Sheepshead you have to hide the hook. 99 :. 5-3. How To Target BIG Sheepshead. 6 kg) and 14-18 inches long, with a maximum size of about 29. The size limit is a crucial regulation that ensures the harvesting of only mature sheepshead while younger ones have the opportunity to grow and reproduce. CitationsThe best hook size for steelhead and my go-to size for steelhead hooks is size 8 or size 10 in most water clarity. 1. As a general guideline, #6 to #10 hooks work well for smaller steelhead, while #2 to #4 hooks are suitable for larger ones. Fishing Information for Panama City, Destin, Navarre and Northwest Florida. Not. They have a long, cylindrical body shape and even can have stripes, but the stripes are. The crab was fitted to a sliding sinker “fishfinder rig” with an 8/0 circle hook. They also have relatively small mouths, so a hook small enough to fit in their mouth is required. September 13, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Now, keep in mind the size of the hook will vary from brand to brand. Hundreds of hooks for sheepshead fishing are being introduced everyday in the market which are enough to make you confused. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers with small mouths like mangrove snappers and sheepshead. They have also been known to hang underneath schools of spadefish as well. The knocker is ideal for catching sheepshead on the bottom and around heavy structures. I like to use about 18 inches with about a ¾ to ¼ ounce weight, depending on the current, to keep the line tight. Package Sizes: 10, 25, 50 and 100 Hooks. What size hooks are best for snapper? The best hook size for mangrove snapper and sheepshead is a #1 J hook or a 1/0 circle hook. The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. A 1/8th oz. Best Bait For Sheepshead. Furthermore, you’ll want to keep your flies streamline, simple, and short. Jump to Latest Follow. 4x Strong Live Bait Sheepshead Hooks Specs: Hook Sizes: 1/0 and 2/0; Hook Tip: Opti-Angle Needle Point; Hook Type: 4x Strong Live Bait; Color: Black Nickle;. Many local anglers have reported a decreased number of sheepshead over the last few years. Leader material. His Weedless Eye weights are usually 3⁄16- and ⅛-ounce. "A well-tied sheepshead rig can be the difference between a great day of fishing and going home empty-handed. Gamakatsu octopus hooks size #2 or #1 work well but keep in mind that the #1 hook is a thinner wire hook and on larger sheepshead and drum, you could risk bending the hook. Eel, American: 3 lbs. You will be amazed at the size of fish you can catch on such a small bait. Using a 7’ -7’6” medium-fast action rod, 15 – 20 LB test line, #1 ultra-sharp hooks and split shot will allow you to detect the light bite of the sheepshead, permit the fiddler crab to swim naturally and still give you the power needed to pull the fish to the boat. 16 inches. There are two styles of hook commonly used for hooking sand fleas: Pompano fishermen favor the Kahle hook, which features a wide, round bend that aims the hook point back toward the middle of the hook shaft. As far as size goes, the dime to nickel-sized fiddler crabs are best. 1X long – the hook is as long as the standard length in the size above, so a 1X long in #4, would be as long as a size #3 hook. Sheepshead, on the other hand will rarely get over 10 to 12 pounds. Note sliding sinker above the splitshot. For pier fishing targeting sheepshead, opt for sizes 1/0 to 3/0 circle hooks or J-hooks. With that being said a sheepshead that large would be truly exceptional. Here’s a list of materials you’ll need for this rig: A hook. Had 4 dozen fiddlers on Sunday and went through every. You can use a jig head, j hook, circle hook, or live bait hook to rig these up as bait and the method is all the same. Size, Age, and Growth of a Sheepshead. You can use a number of different bait like fiddler crabs, mud crabs, shrimp, fresh clams, and even sand fleas. #1 · Jul 24, 2012. Shaddock Fishing Circle Hooks For Sheepshead. How to Fish for Sheepshead using Circle Hooks. My rig of choice is a dropper loop about 10” to 16” above a 2-6 ounce sinker. In her kayak, Emily Rose. The record weight for sheepshead is just over 21 lbs. Sheepshead are also known to stay suspended and even just under the surface near the pilings. D16 Nanotech blank technology consists of multi-directional layers of IM7 carbon fiber that have been injected with nano resin and wrapped in 8 different. The larger sheepshead can feast on crabs, words, fish, and a different variety of crustaceans. Rebel makes some of the best trout lures out on the market and have been making responsible barbless lures for years. Sheepshead. How to fish bridges for sheepshead. The require patients and a sensitive rod/line combo. They have prominent teeth with incisors, molars and rounded grinders that enable them to crush shellfish and sea urchins. If one hook gets broken off, you still have another left. braided line. The minimum size limit for sheepshead is 10 inches fork length, which is measured from the fork in the tail to the tip of the snout. It’s essential to observe fish behavior and adapt your hook size accordingly for optimal success. Size: Black drum can grow much larger than sheepshead, with some specimens reaching over 100 pounds. I bait them with shrimp, squid and bloodworms. However, the tip of the hook is at the same angle as the eye, so that even if you tie a knot directly to the eye, it will still effectively hook into a fish. The size limit. Capt. While sheepshead typically stay under 15 pounds, black drum can reach much larger weights. Other circular style hooks can work equally well. Because of the structure of a sheepshead mouth and all the molars you will need a very small J hook. The overall size of the mouth for this species of fish is rather small. Thread a 1 to 3 ounce egg sinker on the leader, and run the leader. S. so a small hook is necessary. Sheepshead have incredibly strong jaws, thin, weak hooks can be easily broken by their teeth. Use the Owner’s Mutu Light Circle hook (2/0 size) for the best results. Sheepshead can be seen cruising the flats but are really more suited for life among rocks, pilings, oyster reefs and other hard surface structures. Daily Bag Limit: 8 per person. They are essentially jigs where the lead is fla. The 3 most important attributes of the hook is strength, size and sharpness. A simple seasoning and ten minutes on the grill is all you need Your fish will be ready so quickly you will feel spoiled. Octopus hooks are like circle or j hooks, except that the eye is bent backwards. So, a size 8 hook is actually a lot smaller than a size 1 hook. Sheepshead require a strong hook-set. The jig head should have a wide gap with a sharp and stout hook. The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead's mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. I’ve been using 30 lb mono (get it from Amazon here). Lubricate tube with a light coat of veggie oil just before use. Have caught 5 sheepshead in two trips, but have lost NUMEROUS amounts of them. 0 out of 5 stars 1. How To Rig Fiddler Crabs For Bait. saltyfishin95 Discussion starter. Many types of hooks work very well to catch Sheepshead. Their good vision is also a reason for using fluorocarbon leaders in the 10-15lb class, to further reduce the gear's profile in the water. Hooks. Hooks. After the first cut is done, you would have to go on for the second cut. Sheepshead have strong jaws, so setting the hook firmly is essential. Choose a rod 6-7ft medium action with a light touch so you can feel the delicate bite of a sheepshead. The best hooks for sheepshead fishing should be strong, sharp, and durable. ”. The 3 most important attributes of the hook is strength, size and sharpness. Keep the drag as tight as possible to prevent the fish from pulling line off the reel. Sheepshead are marked by 4 or 6 vertical dark bars (stripes) on their sides. Hook Size for Sheepshead. Size 1/0 to 3/0 short-shank, 2X-strong hooks are preferred. The two hooks I prefer are both Owner’s the Gorilla Light or the Flyliner Live Bait hooks in size 1, 2 and 4 If you are looking for actual size i would say no bigger than a dime and a little smaller would be fine. “To me they are the saltwater equivalent of a smallmouth bass,” he shared. 25 pounds. Tallahassee, FL 32301. Go 20 to 25 inches away from the weight up. sizes 2 – 2/0 hook; OBX Sheepshead Basic Rigs. May 9, 2023 Because of the structure of a sheepshead mouth and all the molars you will need a very small J hook. Sheepshead fishing around bridge pylons in the main channel can yield some of the strongest currents and require heavier weights; fishing around docks farther inshore is less severe on currents,. The trick to catching Sheepshead is to see them before. Finely shred cabbage, carrot and cucumber. As the shad here grow through the year we continually upsize our hooks. We go from a #1 early in the year for 2"-2 1/2" baits to a 5/0 in the summer when the average bait runs 4 1/2" to 6". Sheepshead will often inhale short-shank hooks, and then those rugged teeth. This will ensure you get the cleanest fillets and kill the fish quickly and humanely. For your weights, size 2-3 works well. Because of their bony mouths and ability to pick bait off a hook with out touching the hook, Sheepshead can be quite difficult to catch. Many types of hooks work very well to catch Sheepshead. As the aught (or “ought”) gets larger hook size also gets larger. The hook is very important. The general consensus seems to be a 1/0 or 2/0 semi-circle or sheepshead hook. These hooks are as sharp as they come and feature the opti-angled needlepoint tip. Gear Requirements: Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig What type of hook is best for sheepshead? Sheepshead: The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. This price point is the best bang for your buck for balancing. So, 2/0 hooks are typically ideal for 2-3 inch baits. Mussels as Sheepshead Bait; How to Rig Mussels: 5. Hook: #1 or #2 hook. Use at least a 3500 series reel. Snatching is also prohibited. Sheepshead are marked by 4 or 6 vertical dark bars (stripes) on their sides. What is the best hook for sheepshead? The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. With these attributes, circle hooks are becoming the favorite hook for some Sheepshead anglers. Up to 8 fish of legal limit taken per day per person. I used a #1 Gamakatsu live bait hook (get it from Amazon here). You can always catch the big one on a small hook but can't catch the small ones on the bigger hooks in case the bite is slow. Hanzlik’s Sheepshead 0. Introduction Catching a sheepshead fish is not an easy task. When fishing for Sheepshead, you should use a standard light wire hook, typically size 2/0 or 2. Size limit is 12 inches, and bag limit is 8 fish per angler. But the rewards are fine table fare, mainly because of their diet of. The smallest fiddler crabs hook into the biggest sheepshead. Some anglers chum the area with crushed oysters or crabs before fishing. This is because of two attributes: their dark vertical stripes and human like teeth. that has broad front teeth and is used for food. Section 50-5-1705 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 169 of 2010, is further amended to read: "Section 50-5-1705. Because of the structure of a sheepshead mouth and all the molars you will need a very small J hook. If you are looking for actual size i would say no bigger than a dime and a. You will be amazed at the size of fish you can catch on such a small bait. Lastly, the hookup sheepshead jig mold can be fished with virtually any soft plastic or using natural baits, live dead or cut. There are two styles of hook commonly used for hooking sand fleas: Pompano fishermen favor the Kahle hook, which features a wide, round bend that aims the hook point back toward the middle of the hook shaft. I usually use between a 1-4 oz sinker, depending on depth and current. I. Anything coming over to eat the crab has to bite down over the entire jig. The graphic below.