Fishing has been sporadic but that’s fishing. Tides, weather and water conditions all play a part whether the bite is hot or cold.
On one drop, the water was beautiful, crystal clear with a gentle current. After about 15 or 20 minuets it looked like the bite was going to be slow in developing or worst it wasn’t to happen. During the winter, as each season, a lot depends on reading the conditions. On that day we opted for deeper less clear water. Fortunately we were rewarded with a pretty consistent sheepshead bite. During the winter and early spring sheepshead can be a favorite fish both inshore and offshore fishing. Its been said that the skill to be successful to catch sheepshead is unique. In other words, this fish might be unlike any fish you’ve dealt with.
For last few weeks sheepshead have gotten most of the attention on the Georgia/Carolina coast. Carolina rigs, drop shot rigs and float rigs are some of the tackle for this fish. Fishermen will have there favorite tackle and rigs. Most will work well. The trick is matching your tackle to the fish. Rods that are ideal for pitching for seatrout might not have the hook setting ability for sheepshead. My ideal rod is simply a 7 medium action spinning with matching reel and a 20 pound super braid. Of course is not the only effective combination but a good one!
With seatrout when water drops below 55 degrees fishing for redfish or sheepshead will likely be more productive. Sheepshead are both an inshore as well an offshore fish. They migrate to offshore wrecks and reefs in what some describe as a spawning pulse. Some days the offshore bite will good; others the inshore bite could be good. Then there can in between times when sheepshead will hold on structure just off the beach. Sheepshead are a fun fish that can challenge even those with the best touch and be so easy to catch they seem to jump on the line.
On most days sheepshead can provide action and entertainment to satisfy both the skilled and unskilled.
When water temperature is above 55 degree seatrout have bitten although most of these fish are skinny. This means there’s not a lot of bait in the rivers. Some redfish action on the flats and river but the bite has been sporadic. Sheepshead have provided the most consistent action!
Hope this of help and interest! Keep what you want to eat and release the rest!
Fish On!
Capt. Jack McGowan