SnookMook
11-23-2007, 11:40 AM
The regular outdoors writer was on vacation this week, so they asked me last minute to write up a saltwater piece for the printside edition of the outdoors section of the paper. I hope you all enjoy and let the ribbing, no pun intended begin.
Published: Friday, November 23, 2007
outdoors
Guard the Bait, Here Come Sheepshead
By Michael Wilson
The Ledger
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/SnookMook/sheepieteeth.jpg
©Michael Wilson/The Ledger
With the arrival of cooler weather in the area comes an onslaught - a jailbreak of what many old-timers call the convict fish. That's right, sheepshead, those fish with the toothy grin that may remind you of your grandfather's dentures.
With those telltale stripes and those almost humanlike teeth, sheepshead certainly deserve their reputation as some of the most notorious bait stealers that swim the ocean.
They have a set of teeth that would give any dental hygienist a nightmare. Their teeth are highly specialized for crunching barnacles, crabs, crustaceans, and mollusks.
As far as the bait of choice, take your pick. They will take a variety of baits, and a crab of any sort doesn't stand a chance of lasting on a hook. That's almost like cheating.
Oh, did I make the mistake of implying you'd have the upper hand with these fish? Any experienced angler knows better. These fish will rob you blind and leave you wanting to file a police report with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officer.
I can see it now. Hello, I'd like to report the theft of three dozen shrimp and a dozen fiddler crabs. (Yeah right, click.)
Many baits will work for sheepshead. A live shrimp pinched in half and threaded on a #2 J-hook will always get a strike. Most anglers prefer J-hooks for a quick hook set, and a sharp hook is a must to get through their tough mouths.
Fiddler and rock crabs are great bait for sheepshead as well. Crabs to sheepies are like candy to a kid on Halloween. However, many old-time anglers prefer barnacles placed carefully on a hook. Sheepshead have evolved those teeth for just such a bait. They frequently can be seen around bridge and dock pilings eating barnacles and such spots are a great place to target them.
Another overlooked bait in the Tampa Bay area is the Asian Green Mussel. This is an exotic brought in on the hulls of transport ships that has become a nuisance in Tampa Bay. Sheepshead love these baits, and every one you feed to a sheepie is one less left to multiply in Tampa Bay.
Sheepshead, while shunned by many anglers, make great table fare. The meat is white, firm, and very tasty. They have a tricky ribcage you must cut around while cleaning, which deters many anglers. However, experienced sheepshead anglers rave about the fish many old-timers call "poor man's lobster." They really are very tasty and rank right up there with mangrove snapper in my book. The limit on sheepshead is a minimum of 12 inches and 15 fish per day for each angler.
Just remember, there's an old saying when fishing for sheepshead: When you feel a nibble, count to three, and set the hook on one.
Chances are though, you'll swear that fish with the sheepish grin is laughing at you as it swims off with your bait.
Published: Friday, November 23, 2007
outdoors
Guard the Bait, Here Come Sheepshead
By Michael Wilson
The Ledger
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/SnookMook/sheepieteeth.jpg
©Michael Wilson/The Ledger
With the arrival of cooler weather in the area comes an onslaught - a jailbreak of what many old-timers call the convict fish. That's right, sheepshead, those fish with the toothy grin that may remind you of your grandfather's dentures.
With those telltale stripes and those almost humanlike teeth, sheepshead certainly deserve their reputation as some of the most notorious bait stealers that swim the ocean.
They have a set of teeth that would give any dental hygienist a nightmare. Their teeth are highly specialized for crunching barnacles, crabs, crustaceans, and mollusks.
As far as the bait of choice, take your pick. They will take a variety of baits, and a crab of any sort doesn't stand a chance of lasting on a hook. That's almost like cheating.
Oh, did I make the mistake of implying you'd have the upper hand with these fish? Any experienced angler knows better. These fish will rob you blind and leave you wanting to file a police report with a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officer.
I can see it now. Hello, I'd like to report the theft of three dozen shrimp and a dozen fiddler crabs. (Yeah right, click.)
Many baits will work for sheepshead. A live shrimp pinched in half and threaded on a #2 J-hook will always get a strike. Most anglers prefer J-hooks for a quick hook set, and a sharp hook is a must to get through their tough mouths.
Fiddler and rock crabs are great bait for sheepshead as well. Crabs to sheepies are like candy to a kid on Halloween. However, many old-time anglers prefer barnacles placed carefully on a hook. Sheepshead have evolved those teeth for just such a bait. They frequently can be seen around bridge and dock pilings eating barnacles and such spots are a great place to target them.
Another overlooked bait in the Tampa Bay area is the Asian Green Mussel. This is an exotic brought in on the hulls of transport ships that has become a nuisance in Tampa Bay. Sheepshead love these baits, and every one you feed to a sheepie is one less left to multiply in Tampa Bay.
Sheepshead, while shunned by many anglers, make great table fare. The meat is white, firm, and very tasty. They have a tricky ribcage you must cut around while cleaning, which deters many anglers. However, experienced sheepshead anglers rave about the fish many old-timers call "poor man's lobster." They really are very tasty and rank right up there with mangrove snapper in my book. The limit on sheepshead is a minimum of 12 inches and 15 fish per day for each angler.
Just remember, there's an old saying when fishing for sheepshead: When you feel a nibble, count to three, and set the hook on one.
Chances are though, you'll swear that fish with the sheepish grin is laughing at you as it swims off with your bait.