The following list is in no particular order, except for fiddlers, of course. Leave the hook point exposed. You can grab them with your bare hands, catch them with a net, dig them out of the ground, or stick a container in the ground, and come back later to collect your trapped fiddlers. Fiddler crabs live on land. However, they all should work. Do you use light when inshore fishing? If you want more information about sheepshead, check out our guide to catching sheepshead here. While clams will produce just as many hits just as fiddler crabs, clams are much easier for these fish to steal off the hook. You won’t find many anglers that disagree that fiddler crabs are the best bait for sheepshead. Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip, Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area, Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else. You can change the bullet weight to a heavier or lighter weight for a variety of depths and current. In Florida, as an example, oysters have a season, bag limit and even a size limit. Tight lines, Hippie, WOW! I’ve had some luck around docks with a bottom sweeper jig, usually around 1/8 oz with #2 hook. You will hear the dropper rig referred to as chicken rakes because it has multiple hooks coming off the line. I leave the claw on myself, but either way is fine. Related Bait to Use for Surf Fishing. Here’s the link: https://www.tackledirect.com/bottom-sweeper-jigs.html. While it’s true that sheepies do like a bite-size crab, it’s also true that fiddler crabs are not really a natural food for them. Speed and stealth is key when trying to scoop mole crabs, as they can be very wary. Instead, allow the Sheepshead to move forward with your bait for just a few seconds, then with a straight strong jerk, set the hook. It keeps your bait at the sheepshead’s favorite “strike-zone” — upper to mid-depths. However, if I was getting broken off a lot, I would go with one of the simpler rigs on this list because they’re faster to tie. You could also use a jig head of some sort. So, you’ll probably want to use some type of fishing thread to secure it in place, such as Elastic Miracle Thread. Before using small crabs as bait, get familiar with the “legal” crabs in your area, and how to differentiate between those and their protected brethren. Check the video below for tips for successful fiddler crab hunting. Catching Sheepshead in the Fall. They’ll be found around, and underneath hard structures, such as jetty rocks. You’ll usually have to catch your own little crabs by hand. If they do pinch you, it isn’t that big of a deal. Other anglers hook them from the other end, but I honestly don’t think it matters much. You can find barnacles on bridges, piers, and rocks near the water line. Run your hook through the back of the barnacle and slowly work the hook back out the hole in the front. Then remove the legs, and cut the remaining section into quarters by using a pair of scissors, or a knife. Due to their small mouths and ample dentures, they can clean a hook in a split second. So, you’ll likely be catching your own. Both can hold sheepshead, but may require different rigs to get your bait where the sheepshead are feeding. Those places away from a lot of foot traffic tend to be better, and they like places with some kind of structure nearby, such as grasses or mangroves. Per the FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission) website below, you can use barnacles as both chum and bait. ... Slide your bait hook around the thickest part of the mussel, keeping the mussel close to the hook for now. Choosing the right rod for sheepshead should be … Rod & Reel: A bait caster reel thrives when fishing for sheepshead. You can do this on mud flats, or near the surf’s edge where there is heavily saturated sand. The undisputed best bait for Sheepshead is fiddler crabs. Small pieces of clam and squid will suffice, too. So, if you can obtain them, that’s what you should usually try first. But, the best way to prepare a sheepshead delicacy is arguably by baking since it’s easy to season the fillets. Florida Sportsman's 50 Favorite Sportfish of Florida: Sheepshead. Once you catch them, store your fiddler crabs in a plastic bucket with a small amount of water to keep them wet, but not so much that you might drown them. Another good bait to use is fiddler crab or sand fleas if you can come by some. You can purchase fiddler crabs for about $4 per dozen from a bait shop. The next best thing is dead shrimp — either fresh or frozen. Curve the mussel a bit, and then pierce the flesh a second and third time, if possible, to put as much flesh as possible through the hook. There is no perfect rig for every condition. Sand fleas are like candy to these fish. I recently stumbled across this rig when looking for a weedless shrimp rig. If that doesn’t work, you can smash the shell with a hammer or rock, or break it with pliers. If I was trying to figure out what bait the fish are biting on (i.e. Blue crabs are another great bait for sheepshead. Probably the easiest way to get them is to drop a crab pot down near some type of structure, such as a dock, and come back later. A lot of area fishermen wouldn’t even hesitate to say it’s fiddler crabs. The roots of the red mangrove tree are an amazing place to target sheepshead during the higher parts of the tide. Knocker rigs, Carolina rigs, or a simple split shot a foot or 2 above the hook all work great. Take a bucket or bag and collect them off hard surfaces near the waterline. Fiddler crabs are in my opinion the number one sheepshead bait. That can result in a nasty cut. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers. I linked to a video below showing how to gather them. Simply wrap it around multiple times and break it off. *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you stick around the saltwater community very long, you’ll hear over and over and over again that everything eats a shrimp. Check out the “Jail Bait” rig from Eye Strike Fishing/Z-Man. Have any questions about sheepshead rigs? This allows for your weight to make it to the bottom and keeps your baits up off of it. I stick to the Abu Garcia Ambassadeur series. Finally, make sure you have plenty of bait, as sheepshead are renowned bait stealers. This rig is great for if you’re fishing a variety of depths or the current is changing and you want to quickly switch weights. No knots are required when using such thread. You can also buy fresh mussels from a seafood market. Depending on the size of the crab, you may need to go even smaller. Grab them by hand, or knock them off and into nets or buckets that you hold underneath them. Both the head and tail halves will work as fresh dead bait. It’s best if you occasionally rinse their area with saltwater.For a breakdown on good sand flea rakes, check out my article about that here – Best Sand Flea Rake. Snook, redfish, mangrove snappers, flounder and of course sheepshead use those roots to find shrimp, crabs, barnacles, oysters and small fish to eat. John's Pass needs our help! * Click image above to view prices on Amazon. Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join: I like the weedless shrimp rig with the bullet weight being used. If your drag is too tight, after the hookset, the Sheepshead will bolt and with amazing power snap your line. Join the conversation on our Facebook Page. Audio Fishing Guide. Me and the wife have been tearing the sheep up with them. My preferred way of rigging sand fleas for sheepshead is to insert a #1 hook into the digger claw and back out the top shell. Fishing next to a piling is best, while others anchor their boats next to a jetty, and allow the tide to carry the bait across the rocky bottom. Pet hermit crabs are land dwellers, and bait crabs are sea dwellers. eyestrikefishing.com. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/offshore-angler-slipper-heads, Bottom jigs and Carolina rigs are the only things I can think of to add to this list. Low tide is the best time to seek them out.Once you locate them, there are actually many ways to catch fiddler crabs. Using a knife, or the back of your fingernail, scoop out the gooey middle. 10 Sheepshead Tips and Tricks. In these next few sections, I’ll share some of my favorite sheepshead rigs, the pros and cons of each of them, and when I like to use them. Fiddler crabs reign supreme when it comes to sheepshead bait. As you indicated there is no one best rig. Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club. Sheepshead Basics. This is the most basic of all rigs and can be effective in most inshore applications. Man, you guys are really hitting the Sheepshead info hard lately and I love it! The ribbed version, as shown above, is not as good for humans, but fish love them. Where To Catch Sheepshead. However, the best bait for sheepshead fishing is the fiddler crab. Sheepshead fish have a very light bite despite its massive teeth and it has a habit of stealing bait. Shawn Crawford of Florida Sport Fishing Outfitters (941-705-3160). If this is what you have available, go with it. Some of the best options in the sheepshead’s range are mud crabs and mangrove tree crabs.Anytime you’re using small crabs as bait, you need to familiarize yourself with how to differentiate between legal crabs, and any similar protected species. Thanks Luke! The best baits for sheepshead fishing are fiddler crabs, followed by clams and then shrimp. If you haven’t checked them out yet, look at the bottom sweeper jigs. Sheepshead will have no problem eating that big claw.Use a Number 1 Owner Hook (linked below), and insert it into the crab from the bottom, towards one side or the other, and come out the top hard shell. Sometimes juvenile versions of crabs can complicate things. Click here to see the step-by-step instructions for how to Texas Rig shrimp here. To collect them, hold a net or bucket beneath them, and knock them free using a shovel or scraper of some sort. Other great baits include sand fleas, shrimp, mud crabs, mangrove tree crabs, mussels, oysters, and even barnacles, among others. Don’t expect to be able to store your sand fleas for a long period of time, maybe a day or 2. It should be noted that the hermit crabs you use for bait, are not the same crabs you find in gift shops or pet stores. Already a subscriber? Oysters are much more heavily regulated than some of the other options on this list. Of course, some types of bait work better than others, and can be found in the wild or purchased in a local bait shop. Getting these to stay on the hook might be more difficult, but will be worth the effort. Go easy when inserting a hook into a fiddler crab so as to not crush the crab. Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land). It’s not something I’ve really targeted much in the past so I didn’t know a whole lot about how to fish them.. BUT… After all the recent posts from you and Tony and Joe, I feel really confident in my ability to target and catch them. This is further proven by the fact that the world record sheepshead, over 21 lbs., was caught on a live shrimp. Looks quite versatile for not only sheeps but other structure dwelling species. Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip, https://www.tackledirect.com/bottom-sweeper-jigs.html, Why John’s Pass Is Filling Up With Sand (What This Means For Anglers), This Is Why You Should Use Light Line When Inshore Fishing, Can fish a variety of depths and current by changing weights, If you want to change the weight you’ll need to retie (unlike some of the other rigs in this list), Can cause some missed hookups vs. a rig with an exposed hook point, Gets your bait near, but not on the bottom, Loop for the weight allows you to easily switch weights, Takes longer to tie than some of the other rigs on this list, Uses two hooks, so you can theoretically catch two fish, You can test two different baits on each of the hooks, Very prone to getting snagged on underwater structure, Takes time and practice to get this rig right, Weight can easily be added or taken away as needed, Prone to get snagged on the bottom if fishing hard structure. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the most popular sheepshead rigs, their pros and cons, and when they’re best used. I’ve been using these for general structure fishing for awhile now and by far provide the best results. However, shrimp is not the best bait, because its popular smell and taste attracts all fish from small to large. Sheepshead feed on small crustaceans like shrimp, crabs, and barnacles, and can usually be found around structure such as: A good sheepshead rig will allow you to naturally place the bait or lure in front of the sheepshead without it being obvious it’s not just a free meal. Thanks for making time to leave the comment Joby! Collect at least a few dozen because the attrition rate … Preferred baits vary by region. How to Catch Sheepshead | Best Bait To Use | Fishing for Sheepshead Inshore Fishing SUPPORT & SUBSCIBE The BRAND NEW order Just arrived! how to catch Sheepshead. Mussels can be had for free. As long as you follow all necessary rules and regulations, you can use oysters as a very effective sheepshead bait. *Some small crabs are juvenile versions of a protected species. Do you have a favorite rig that didn’t make this list? Thanks for making time to leave the helpful comment Jim! These qualities allow the angler to feel the bite, get a good hook set and move the fish away from cover without the line stretching and allowing them to get back to it. Sheepshead are winter fishing fun, they are plentiful, reasonably easy to catch and are excellent table fare. A great bait to use for sheepshead with this rig is live shrimp. Sorry this content is for subscribers only. For instance, a bridge near a pass or inlet may be in 20 feet of water and have a lot of current, whereas a dock in a residential canal may be in six feet of water and have very little current. Watch this video to see what size fishing line you should be using. In most angling situations, live bait is the best choice. Rig both similarly – bury the hook shank out of sight.Fish your shrimp on a fish finder rig with a short mono leader, a knocker rig, a jig head, or with a piece of split shot attached some distance above the bait. Much like sand fleas, there will be a bit of a learning curve to collecting ghost shrimp. As you can see, sheepshead actually eat a wide variety of baits. For instance, if you’re fishing a jetty with lots of current in the morning, and then hitting residential docks in the afternoon, you’ll probably want to use different rigs (or at least different weights). If not, you could be missing out on tons of fish. Sand fleas make an excellent bait for all sorts of saltwater species, sheepshead included. As the winter progresses, they will begin accepting shrimp, but with one caveat. To get to the usable part of a mussel, simply pop the shell open and very carefully pry it apart with a knife. Some people like to keep the large claw of the males intact, for an attractant. The best baits for sheepshead are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas, oyster crabs, and clams. Start from the tail section, and thread them onto the hook to hide most of the shank. The fish fillets are cleaned, and the oven is heated to about 450 degrees. Hold them from the back to avoid the claws, until you can remove them. If they’re really small you can use 2 at a time. TIP: The hermit crabs you catch and use for bait are not the same type of hermit crabs you find in beach side gift shops. So, you’ll need to arrange your container in such a manner where their juices can flow away from them. Docks in the Manatee River have provided the best action for sheepshead, trout and a few redfish, reports Capt. Don’t ask how I know. The easy way to tell the two apart is by the mouth, sheepshead have teeth that look like molars and black drum have gums with very rough sandpaper and no real teeth. I’ve never tried that, but I’ve heard it’s a thing. Sheepshead fish are also notorious bait stealers, meaning they can snag bait without being caught if you use larger hooks - So smaller, stronger, sharper hooks are recommended. Mangrove Snapper Mastery Course: Module 2: Fish Finder Rig: Double Snell Rigging 7:05. There are ways to catch shrimp yourself, but generally you’ll have to purchase live shrimp from a local bait shop. This will keep the shrimp alive the longest. Quite honestly, I don’t know why they aren’t used as bait more often. The mussels you find in bait shops won’t necessarily be the same ones you find in seafood markets for human consumption. Other great baits include sand fleas, shrimp, mud crabs, mangrove tree crabs, mussels, oysters, and even barnacles, among others. Shrimp, mole crabs (commonly known as sand fleas), and fiddler crabs are the top baits. One of the best bottom rigs for sheepshead is the dropper rig. So, this bait might be better left for the locals, or those that fish often. When breaking blue crabs apart, save the bits and pieces and be sure to throw those overboard to help stir up the convicts. It’s quick to tie, easy to feel the bite, and I can use it with or without a split shot, depending on depth and current. When fishing with live shrimp, smaller is better, as sheepshead have small mouths. To remove a hermit crab from it’s shell, you can try to pull it out. In Florida, barnacles do not have size limits or relevant bag limits, so you can freely use them as both chum and bait. Although mussels are a great bait for sheepshead, the problem is getting them to stay on the hook. Be careful not to get pinched, as they have strong claws. 10 Sheepshead Tips and Tricks. Fiddlers can be found on the ground near the shoreline of marshy areas. While it’s possible to catch them with your hands, and other little nets and things, I recommend using a true sandflea rake to make it easier on your back. Easy to tie and or replace with simple canoe knot. Catching Sheepshead in the Summer. Mangrove tree crabs can be plucked off trees, docks or bridges. However, nobody likes getting pinched. The Alabama limit for sheepshead is liberal—10 fish per day, 12 inch fork length—but unless a big family fish fry is planned, there’s really no reason to keep that many fish. Or, you can catch them yourself. In fact, that’s often what they’re feeding on when you spot them in the water along bridge and pier pilings. 130 W. Central Ave, Winter Haven, FL, 33880. Best Bait for Sheepshead? Tip: Be careful when using a sandflea rake, as a large wave can sneak up on you and slam the sharp aluminum edges into your shins. Sheepshead love barnacles. In most sheepshead spots you’ll need to consider ranges of depth and current. Click here to see the step-by-step instructions for how to tie the high low rig here. Alternatively, if you can find rocky areas near the beaches and passes, there should be hermit crabs hanging around. What’s the best sheepshead bait? It’s one of the most versatile rigs in this list and has quickly become my new favorite. I presume that’s likely the same elsewhere. Check rocky areas or bridge pilings at low tide. These crabs are somewhat delicate, but at the same time are a fairly hardy bait that stays on the hook well. Think about it: Sheepshead live in the water. It is also a safe place to hide from dolphins and sharks that would love to eat them. Plus, in keeping with our theme of “do it yourself”, fiddlers can be caught around most coastal marshes, creeks, and ditches. To catch them, set out crab traps, hand net them in clear water, or you can even hand line them. Once you have a pump, you’ll need to find their small holes in the sand that give away their burrow locations. You’ll have to first locate them, and then suck them out of the sand with a homemade device. I can’t find them anywhere but Tackle Direct. Now even if you have the best sheepshead rig and the best sheepshead bait, none of it matters if you’re not in the right spot. Word is that a bunch of winter Texans use fresh oysters to … You can do this by adding sand to the bottom of your bucket, or you can nest 2 containers together, with the top container having holes for liquid to drain away. Now don’t get me wrong, all fish will eat a fiddler also, but it seems when used as bait that it brings on a sheepshead bite much quicker. The best bait to use when pursuing sheepshead includes clams, barnacles, shrimp, fiddler crabs and oysters. Use this info to help determine which rigs to use and when as you target these delicious fish. Both live and fresh dead shrimp are good baits for convict fish. They don’t like freshwater, and will attempt to escape. Click here to see the step-by-step instructions for how to tie this simple sheepshead rig here. Hook the shrimp in the tail about an inch from the end of the tail. Blue crabs can be purchased in bait shops, or you can catch your own. If you want the best fishing spots, tips, and strategies, click here to join us and 12,000+ other members in the Salt Strong Insider Club! Below is a good video on how to construct a ghost shrimp pump for as little as $20. For example, when using mud crabs, you need to be sure you don’t accidentally collect any stone crabs by accident. Sand crabs pee a lot, and that’ll kill them if they sit in it. For that reason, they are not tops on my list. It's filling up with sand, which is causing tons of safety and economical problems. TIP: To rig soft gooey baits, such as mussels and oysters, use an elastic fishing thread to secure the flesh to your hook. You’ll need to check your own local regulations for applicable laws in your local area. Sheepshead are no exception, as they love shrimp. To use blue crab as sheepshead bait, remove the claws and break the top shell off. In December of 2014, these two brothers shocked their clients, friends, and family by quitting their 6-figure jobs to start their dream focused on helping saltwater anglers: 2. They’ll stay alive for a while, as long as you don’t use a huge hook. I have even seen folks use old rusty machetes to knock them free. legal information – contact me – privacy policy, https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/shellfish/, Top 9 Criteria to Evaluate When Choosing a Surf Rod. As with any of the bait options on this list, you can use a Carolina rig, knocker rig, or a piece of split shot up the line. For live shrimp, use a small #1 hook and run it into the tail section and back out the body, thereby burying most of the hook shank, leaving the hook point exposed. They are harmless and can be gathered by hand. See how you can help here. Oysters tend to have many more regulations involved than some of the other bait options. Rods and Reels for Sheepshead. Good Luck!Augustus Clay. To find mud crabs, you’ll need to flip, potentially jagged, rocks over at low tide. This guy makes it look too easy. If you liked this article, perhaps you’d also be interested in my 5 Step Sheepshead Fishing Guide. Doesn’t get any better than this! Another tactic that supposedly works is to drop them into a bucket of tap water. I most often use J hooks because I enjoy feeling for the strikes and setting the hook. If fishing an area with a lot of underwater structure (rocks, pilings, etc), I would not use this rig because it is prone to getting snagged and takes longer to tie than some of the other rigs on this list. This prevents the bait from coming off during a cast. Both can work… mostly depends on the rig used and how much attention is being paid to the feel of strikes. Therefore, you’ll need to at least quarter up blue crabs before using them. Seasoning the fillets with lemon juice, salt, and pepper makes a previously marinated fillet much more delicious. I would not use this rig if I was fishing deeper water with a lot of current and I knew the sheepshead were on the bottom. You’ll need to invest a little cash, and perhaps some time, to either build or buy yourself a ghost shrimp pump. Go get e’m. How-To Catch Articles and Videos, Where's the Bite, Regulations, and more! If you’d like a more secure bait, wrap it a few times with elastic fishing string. Although oysters are an effective bait for sheepshead, you’ll have to take care to follow any necessary regulations for your area. Once you locate some promising spots, use your pump to suction them out of their burrows. I’ve also found colonies of them hanging out on shores inside passes. For best results, use bait thread (linked below) to secure the mussel to the hook. Effective and easy. Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land). If the shrimp are too big (over 1.5 inches), you’re probably better off pinching them in half to be used as a fresh dead offering. Sheepshead prefer all sorts of crustaceans and mollusks, but their absolute favorite is the fiddler crab. Hermit crabs can be kept alive for a couple days in a bucket. By the way, this list is not conclusive and will be an ever-growing list as we test out new sheepshead rigs. But, remember this, make sure your drag is preset for a fight. They can also be found further inside passes along calmer waters. Click here to see the step-by-step instructions for how to tie the dropper rig here. Rig any other small crabs similarly to fiddler crabs – run a #1 hook inserted from the bottom and out the top. Hermit crabs are a good bait for many species. The Best Baits for Sheepshead. This fishing pier, or at least the end of it you can see, used to be part of the Vilano Bridge that A1A used to go across. With an elastic thread like this, you won’t have to tie any knots. Yes, those can be very effective too. Take care not to cut yourself. Depending on your fishing location, you’ll have different small crabs available to you as bait. They are very effective, and best of all, they are FREE!