Questions About California Sheephead - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Hunters Pa · 06-14-2018, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. NiceGuy

Crushed mussels scraped off a pier and/or garden snails might also be worth a try. Yum! Fresh whole shrimp seem to be mentioned the most for targeting sheephead.
They have those jaws and buck teeth for a reason.

I have heard garden snails are good but have not tried them. Same thing on chumming a bunch of crushed up mussels then dropping a chunk down with a hook in

summers in kuwait · 06-14-2018, 09:27 AM

I've caught goats in the kelp and rocks from ~50 ft to 150 ft. I've had good luck with shrimp, ghost shrimp and squid. Octopus will work as well as clams and crustaceans, mollusks and hard-shellfish. I typically prefer spectra with a short leader material, so there is less stretch in the line. I have used both dropper and reverse, but usually just stick with traditional dropper and a basic knot on the weight to break of in the case of snags. They will sometimes nibble and play, but once they load the rod you need to get them off the rocks or you may risk loosing them.

TheBentRod · 06-14-2018, 09:45 AM

I love your philosophy on fishing. I fancy myself as a hunter-gatherer, but I don't always want just any fish. Don't get me wrong, the family loves a fish-fry! Sheepshead and red snapper are my favorites for the feast.

As I learn the areas I fish in So Cal, I find you can find all of the species in each bay from SD to Lompoc. Not much experience further north.

That being said, I have structure where I can guarantee I'll find certain species. I also learned that the same structure produces the same results in SD as well as Malibu. You are one of us that does put in time on the water and next time I go to my sheepshead spot I will send you a picture of the FF screen. That way you won't pass by a potential spot without a drop down.

BTW - I use fresh cut mac on a 2 hook gangion suspended one - two foot off the bottom. I have found over the years everything bites fresh cut mac and I know how to catch them, now. LOL

06-14-2018, 09:45 AM	#3
TheBentRod Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Murrieta, CA and Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 425	Sheepshead I love your philosophy on fishing. I fancy myself as a hunter-gatherer, but I don't always want just any fish. Don't get me wrong, the family loves a fish-fry! Sheepshead and red snapper are my favorites for the feast. As I learn the areas I fish in So Cal, I find you can find all of the species in each bay from SD to Lompoc. Not much experience further north. That being said, I have structure where I can guarantee I'll find certain species. I also learned that the same structure produces the same results in SD as well as Malibu. You are one of us that does put in time on the water and next time I go to my sheepshead spot I will send you a picture of the FF screen. That way you won't pass by a potential spot without a drop down. BTW - I use fresh cut mac on a 2 hook gangion suspended one - two foot off the bottom. I have found over the years everything bites fresh cut mac and I know how to catch them, now. LOL

06-14-2018, 09:27 AM	#2
summers in kuwait Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: East County San Diego Posts: 657	I've caught goats in the kelp and rocks from ~50 ft to 150 ft. I've had good luck with shrimp, ghost shrimp and squid. Octopus will work as well as clams and crustaceans, mollusks and hard-shellfish. I typically prefer spectra with a short leader material, so there is less stretch in the line. I have used both dropper and reverse, but usually just stick with traditional dropper and a basic knot on the weight to break of in the case of snags. They will sometimes nibble and play, but once they load the rod you need to get them off the rocks or you may risk loosing them.