[sandbar]

Been catching a few nice sheepshead inside the marina at Bald Head. This one is the best so far at 20 inches, maybe 4 or 5 lbs?? Caught it on a fiddler crab next to a piling. Right tasty fish.

 

[sinker man]

Those are always a challenge. That one has probably stolen a few fiddlers in his time. Not only tasty but you have enough on one that size to make several fish sandwiches.

 

[Steve-O]

Never caught one. Maybe that's because I am not patient enough

 

[sinker man]

They are easier to catch with live shrimp if the pinfish etc aren't around. That is a big IF. They have to chase the shrimp and they really nail them instead of just cruising up stopping and sitting there like they do with sand fleas and fiddlers. The problem is where you find sheephead the pinfish are usually in the same place. Pinfish will get the shrimps legs first and before you can get it in position he is already dead and partially eaten. There are times though when there are no pinfish around and you can really work on the sheephead.

 

[Bread Man 1]

Sinker Man is right on. A sheepshead will suck a live shrimp down, quick! And often hook theirselves.

 

[LiveBait]

Great catch sandbar!

 

[sandbar]

It's truely amazing how subtle their bite is and how much fight they have after being hooked. Caught the ones yesterday while a small barge was kicking around attaching dredge pipes together. An old salt told me that the bottom gets stirred up by the ferries and barges inside the marina and this creates feeding opportunities for the fish. The sheepshead sure didn't mind the barge being 20 feet away.

 

[Topsail Angler]

Nice catch for sure, those are tasty fish.

Hey did you happen to see any menhaden schools while you were fishing this week-end? I'll be down there next week-end for a tournament and as I usually fish up here I 'm not familiar with where the pogies are down there.

Thanks!

 

[sandbar]

TA, I've not seen any myself and don't know many folk here to ask. I've been here since April and bait has been scarce, but I don't have a boat so my knowledge is limited to the marsh and immediate shore. I will try to find out though. Looked as if there was a tournament nearby yesterday. More than the usual # of 30 footers with 700 plus horses behind.

 

[Topsail Angler]

Yup - that was the FLW Series - NC Division. My friend and neighbor, Chris Edens took first place and won a check for over $21K!

After I wrote the above I saw him and he gave me spots where they found bait so hopefully the pogies will be there next week too. But if you hear anything, thanks for letting me know!