An important part of a successful Sheepshead rig is the hook, they can be tricky to hook with an improper hook due to their unique teeth. This will be ideal to attract game like jacks and big redfish. Fiddler crabs are widely considered to be the best bait for sheepshead. We go from a #1 early in the year for 2"-2 1/2" baits to a 5/0 in the summer when the average bait runs 4 1/2" to 6". You. Hooks . What size hooks are best for snapper? The best hook size for mangrove snapper and sheepshead is a #1 J hook or a 1/0 circle hook. When the first hit is detected allow the Sheepshead some slack to allow it to eat the bait. Pinching off the tail and threading a shrimp onto a hook or a light jig head is a better play, as it brings the hook point closer to a sheepshead’s mouth. Table of Contents show. “The new, single hook is both sharp and strong and will hold much bigger fish than. These fish have surprisingly small mouths for their size, and using large hooks will result in lots of bait-stealing nibbles. To maximize summer flounder survivability, use a 3/0 or larger hook and be prepared to release undersized fish (pliers, wet rag, and a ruler). Above the leader place a egg sinker just large enough to hold bottom against the current;Minimum size: 10″ minimum; Sheepshead Season: All Year. Believe it or not, sheepshead can actually bite through the light wire hooks sometimes used for inshore. 99 $ 9 . Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers with small mouths like mangrove snappers and sheepshead. This rig should be on a light action, medium strength rod with a. Have caught 5 sheepshead in two trips, but have lost NUMEROUS amounts of them. buy 1-2 lb of shrimp. 1 or No. You can catch them in the grass flats; around mangroves; around oyster bars. Recreational harvest estimates are available from 1981 to the present. Sizes go well beyond what is shown in these charts! The smallest commercially available hook size is a #32 and the largest is 27/0! Very small hooks used for Microfishing. 38:19 – How to cook sheepshead. Sheepshead ( Archosargus probatocephalus), of the family Sparidae, is an excellent food fish that ranges from Nova Scotia, Canada, to Brazil in mainland coastal waters, rivers and freshwater springs. 75 posts · Joined 2011. Sheepshead are marked by 4 or 6 vertical dark bars (stripes) on their sides. Sheepshead are powerful and love to fight on their side and use currents to their advantage with their wide bodies grabbing a lot of water, making a six-pound fish feel like they are 12 pounds. if you just put your bait down and walk away, you will come back to an. a 12 to 18-inch leader of fluorocarbon, and a 3/0 hook with a live fiddler crab. You would have to start making a curving second cut starting at the initial cut, just over the lateral line at the back. As a general guideline, #6 to #10 hooks work well for smaller steelhead, while #2 to #4 hooks are suitable for larger ones. Anything smaller, and you'll lose a nice fish sooner or later. Therefore, a 4-size or a 2-size hook may be your best option since you’ll need a relatively large hook to catch crappie. The 12-inch minimum is still in effect. Use about 4 to 6-pound line and add your split shots about 8 to 18” above the hook depending on how deep you are fishing. What is the largest hook size? Fishing hook sizes are generally referred to by a number from the smallest (size 32) to the largest ( size 19/0 ). What size hooks for live shrimp? For shrimp, I like to use a #1 or #2 circle hook. A simple seasoning and ten minutes on the grill is all you need Your fish will be ready so quickly you will feel spoiled. # Preview Product Price; 1 : Hunting and Fishing Depot Fiddler Crab Sheepshead Jigs : $5. 4 oz. Sheepshead must not be taken with double or treble (any multi-hook) rig with live or dead bait. Insert the hook from under the shrimp’s head, and push the barb out on top, avoiding the vital organs. To catch sheepshead, fishermen may choose hand lines, cane poles and spinning tackle and use fiddler crabs, barnacles, oysters, clams, crabs and shrimp for bait. Open Year Round. Contact for Commercial Fisheries. I use Owner Mosquito hooks in No. 2 to 1/0 hooks. Live or fresh dead shrimp will catch plenty of sheepshead and is the easiest bait to find at most tackle and bait shops. Because of the structure and the sheepshead’s tough mouth, forget about using a fine wire hook. Size 1/0 to 3/0 short-shank, 2X-strong hooks are preferred. S. Take the tag end of the leader line and tie a non-slip loop knot. The graphic below. They are essentially jigs where the lead is fla. “For their size, they truly fight with all they have. This is so that if you’re snelling the hook, the line can go straight down to the backside of the shank. Sheephead fish have a limited range primarily in the southern half of California and Northern Baja. Sheepshead an also be targeted on IGFA compliant fly fishing tackle (learn what you need to know regarding IGFA rules for fly fishing). Sheepshead fish bite during cold Gulf of Mexico waters, attracting nearshore and offshore rocks. 1 cup buttermilk. Length: 6’8″ – 7’6″; Power: Medium-Light to Heavy Rod Material: SCII Carbon; Guides: Aluminum-oxide; Handle: Full Cork Warranty: 5 year; Pros: Great value for the money; Premium sensitivity; Our choice for the best sheepshead rod under $200 is the Triumph Inshore Fishing Rod. These crabs are somewhat delicate, but at the same time are a fairly hardy bait that stays. Get a small hook (generally a size #1) and ideally a bottom sweeper jighead. Now you'll want to deep fry each piece of sheepshead filet. The require patients and a sensitive rod/line combo. Sheepshead have incredibly strong jaws, thin, weak hooks can be easily broken by their teeth. Hook Strength: 1X strong. What hook size should you use with fiddlers for the convicts-big or small?1. Best Hook Size For Sheepshead . BottomFishing 101 tells us that using the lightest weight possible to hold a bait on or near bottom while keeping that weight away from the hook is paramount in. As far as hooks are concerned, sheepshead anglers disagree on the correct size and type. Convict fish and black drums will be attracted to sections of huge blue crabs or full fiddler crabs on a hook under a popping cork. So, if you can obtain them, that’s what you should usually try first. as they said - - - down slowly then back up slowly about 3 to 4' at a time. This allows you to work the water column right up against that structure. With these attributes, circle hooks are becoming the favorite hook for some Sheepshead anglers. Hook the shrimp through the head when casting or trolling. Male Fiddler Crab. This pack includes some of their top lures in miniature size, which makes them ideal when fishing smaller creeks, streams & rivers. Use a palomar knot for this rig and a hook no larger than size 1. Just be aware that sometimes they mark #1 hooks as 1/0 and they are too small. Best Lures for Sheepshead. Image of stick gear typically used in the California sheephead fishery with four hooks attached to a ground line along a piece of rebar with buoy attached. Choosing the best hook size for Snapper depends on personal opinion and experience. The Florida sheepshead minimum length. A size 1 to 2/O hook short shank should do the job. I used a #1 Gamakatsu live bait hook (get it from Amazon here). To tie this rig, first tie your leader to your hook using your favorite snug knot (I use a fisherman’s knot). Sheepshead are marked by 4 or 6 vertical dark bars (stripes) on their sides. They also have relatively small mouths, so a hook small enough to fit in their mouth is required. A small float about 12 or 16 inches away from the hook gives a better idea of the location of the bait. A size 3/0 to 5/0 should do the trick. As the shad here grow through the year we continually upsize our hooks. you will need a large bin with two PVC poles and PVC elbows. As the hook # gets larger, the hook size gets smaller. 5oz, Pearl White) Our standup style jig head is the standard in sheepshead fishing!It’s difficult to feel the bites and set a hook in the small mouth of a sheepshead. Fiddler Crabs – Best Bait For Sheepshead. Slide the loop through the eye of the weight, wrap around the weight, and pull tight. 8756 Views 36 Replies 16 Participants Last post by tcain24, Jun 29, 2009. Because of the structure of a sheepshead mouth and all the molars you will need a very small J hook. The majority of sheepshead landed in 2020 were between 10 inches and 15. Using small hooks is essential to stop Sheepshead from stealing your bait right off the hook. We go from a #1 early in the year for 2"-2 1/2" baits to a 5/0 in the summer when the average bait runs 4 1/2" to 6". Misak’s jetty rig consists of a 7-foot, 6-inch medium-heavy rod, 3500 Shimano Stradic, 50-pound braid, and 40-pound, 24-inch dropper loop rig. The Skyline Sheepshead Jigs has a 2X strong super sharp Black Nickel Hook perfect just for those baits. The larger sheepshead can feast on crabs, words, fish, and a different variety of crustaceans. But, if you’re targeting really big Sheepshead. Randy’s tactic of choice for sheepshead is is fishing with fiddler crabs on a jig head. Carolina rig: one-ounce egg sinker on running line tied to swivel; 12- to 18-inch, 40-pound leader running from swivel to hook;. ”. Texas Sheepshead Limits: Daily Limit: 5 per person. Line: 15 lb braid (Preferably UltraCast Invisi-Braid) Leader: 18" of 20-25lb fluorocarbon. The smaller size is perfect for worms around 6 inches ,. Adult sheepshead grows to be around 1-8 pounds (. Some anglers swear by using red hooks exclusively. How To Target BIG Sheepshead. #3. Tips for Catching Sheepshead Within the Size Limit Bait and Lures. It’s the simplest rig for sheepshead (and many other species), but it’s very effecti. 5-3. One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells . com, and we will place a custom order of octopus hook for you. 1/4”. What type of hook is best for sheepshead? The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. They have large, protruding teeth used to crush the crustaceans, mollusks and hard-shellfish they feed on. Not only will this help you not get pinched, but it will also create a little hole where the claw used to be that’s perfect for placing the hook. For most fishing applications, a #1 or #1/0 short shank live bait hook works best. Smaller Sheepshead and other fish will chew that Clam down to size. 6 kg). Above the leader place a egg sinker just large enough to hold bottom against the current. I’m just going to generalize the heck out of this section since there are a lot of variables that could affect hook size and type for various species. The size of the treble hook should match the size of the crankbait. As the shad here grow through the year we continually upsize our hooks. A jighead will also work, ensuring. He hooks small quarter-size crabs through the bottom pad. on the Dauntless party boat continues to rock hop in the Shrewsbury area. usually with Sheepshead you have to hide the hook. Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review! Click here to join the Salt Strong Insider Club. Finely shred cabbage, carrot and cucumber. 7. Hundreds of hooks for sheepshead fishing are being introduced everyday in the market which are enough to make you confused. “I prefer small blue crabs 3 to 5 inches across the shell and rig them on 3/0 to 7/0 circle hooks with 3 to 4 feet of 30- to 40. 5873 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by servo765, Feb 12, 2014 Jump to Latest prelude13 Discussion starter. An important part of a successful Sheepshead rig is the hook, they can be tricky to hook with an improper hook due to their unique teeth. If I'm fishing for bigger sheepshead I'll go up to a 2/0 hook. ”. Mussels. Sheepshead utilize nearshore coastal waters, bays, and estuaries. 99I prefer Eagle Claw Bronzed baitholder Hooks, available at Wal-Mart in size 1, or 1/0 for larger fish. Any fish that earns comparison to the renowned smallmouth bass is getting high praise, indeed. The knocker is ideal for catching sheepshead on the bottom and around heavy structures. The state produced a graphic to help anglers tell the difference. Larger sheepshead ate mollusks, crustaceans (crabs, etc), bottom worms and quite a bit of fish, mostly anchovies. Because of their bony mouths and ability to pick bait off a hook with out touching the hook, Sheepshead can be quite difficult to catch. How to Fish for Sheepshead with a Light Wire Circle Hook. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. All fishing hooks are given a number based on their size. Light wire hooks are cheap and will break easily. -#10 freshwater live bait hook (bream hook). Owner is the sharpest. Of course, if you are using crab an exposed hook is not much of a concern because it looks like another leg sticking out. Long standing debate, which hooks are the best for catching Sheepshead? I prefer a stout hook. It is this boney mouth that makes them hard to hook and requires a hook that is placed in the side of their mouth in the soft tissue. Sheepshead will often inhale short-shank hooks, and then those rugged teeth. They can get up past 10 lbs. In 2020, the average size recreational sheepshead was 13 inches FL (Table 4). Rebel Lures #2 Micro Critter Tackle – Top Barbless Trout Lure. He managed to land a 26. The best way to catch sheepshead recreationally is to use hook and line tackle, and this species is also becoming more popular to spear fishermen. Anglers are permitted eight sheepshead that size or larger per day and the season is open all year. The 3 most important attributes of the hook is strength, size and sharpness. Downsize your hooks. I would rather have my line break than have my hooks bend out. Normally, circle hooks are great for most species, but they don’t work as well for sheepshead, as you need to be able to set the hook in a mouth teeming with teeth. I’ve been using 30 lb mono (get it from Amazon here). These crabs are somewhat delicate, but at the same time are a fairly hardy bait that stays. You’ll also need your choice of. Overall length of the adult sheepshead fish can reach 36 inches and can weigh around 21 pounds. Choose a rod 6-7ft medium action with a light touch so you can feel the delicate bite of a sheepshead. Purchasing a best hooks for sheepshead fishing is not always simple. Cut a 3-foot (excluding scope for two knots) section of the 15 pound fluorocarbon leader line. 38. One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells. Note sliding sinker above the splitshot. Marine@MyFWC. Best Hook Size For Sheepshead . So, if you can obtain them, that’s what you should usually try first. The hook size chart below encompasses everything I’ve. No gut hooking with the use of circle hooks is the usual case and they are hooked in the jaw area. Normally, circle hooks are great for most species, but they don’t work as well for sheepshead, as you need to be able to set the hook in a mouth teeming with teeth. It can reach a maximum size in nature of more than 14 kg and 90 cm, and an age of 20 years or more, but one as large as 66 kg has been. Hook. Sheepshead, on the other hand will rarely get over 10 to 12 pounds. Using small hooks is essential to stop Sheepshead. Bass: size 5 through 4/0 Catfish: size 2 through 6/0 Bullheads: size 7 through 1 Carp: size 3 through 1Minimum Size Limit: 12" total length. Attach one end to the swivel. It also eats seaweed, algae, and other marine plants. ”. Use J hooks and keep them sharp. Size limit is 12 inches, and bag limit is 8 fish per angler. Look for any soft bait that imitates a Sheepsheads natural diet, such as crabs and small. Weight: Small splitshot 10" up from the hook in light current or a slip sinker above a small swivel when heavier weight is needed. Proportion of commercial California sheephead landings by gear type, 1987 to 2021. jig and Eagle Claw bait holder are recommended. Size: Black drum can grow much larger than sheepshead, with some specimens reaching over 100 pounds. The Dropper Loop rig is quick and easy to make on the boat with little preparation or hardware other than hooks and mono, and it can be directly tied to the main line. Sheepshead require a strong hook-set. You will get some perfect hook ups in the corner of the mouth and also some catches in. Daily Bag Limit: 8. I use 50-60lb fluorocarbon leader and 2/0-4/0 super sharp Owner cutting point J hooks. The crab was fitted to a sliding sinker “fishfinder rig” with an 8/0 circle hook. Instead, wait for a moment and let the fish fully take the bait before setting the hook by lifting your rod tip in a quick, firm motion. Shrimp. The sheepshead fish is a deep-bodied, marine fish with sharp dorsal spines. Rig with 20-pound braided line with fluorocarbon leader. His Weedless Eye weights are usually 3⁄16- and ⅛-ounce. Lubricate tube with a light coat of veggie oil just before use. The assembly of this rig is simple and you need only a few pieces of gear. For the Sheepshead flies, we like to keep the hook size small, usually around a size 6, and opt for a wide gape, chemically-sharpened hook. What size Leader To Use For Black Drum . 1. Hooks should be small because sheepshead have relatively small mouths. The jig head should have a wide gap with a sharp and stout hook. A Carolina rig with a #1 hook seems to work well as it generally places the bait down near the bottom where most of the sheepshead hang out. braided line. Two hooks also allow you to test two different baits to see what the fish are eating. This rig is made up of two loop knots, one for the weight and one for the hook. It is perfect for landing reds because it has six sets of different size Octopus fishing hooks including sizes 1/0, 2/0, and 3/0 that are the ideal fishing hook sizes for catching redfish. For the new angler, fishing for Sheepshead can be a good place to start. Saltwater Jig Heads and Freshwater Jig Heads that can be used on the flats, inlets, and open water. Weight will vary depending on depth and current. When in doubt, go smaller on the hooks. You can also use a slip sinker rig with the sinker right up against the hook. Fax: 850-488-7152. slip egg sinker 3' above the hook. Gear Requirements: Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig What type of hook is best for sheepshead? Sheepshead: The best sheepshead hook is an octopus hook The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. Table of Contents show. (2) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement – A person harvesting sheepshead shall land each sheepshead in whole condition. Use the Owner’s Mutu Light Circle hook (2/0 size) for the best results. 2. However, using a #1 size hook is sage if you use larger bait, such as a large minnow. Hooking an avid bait thief like Sheepshead takes a bit of patience. The best hook size for mangrove snapper and sheepshead is a #1 J hook or a 1/0 circle hook. You will get some perfect hook ups in the corner of the mouth and also some catches in the roof that can hold till you get the net under them. Vessel Limit: 50 per trip during March and April *State regulations extend into federal waters. Florida has changed their sheepshead rules and regulations in 2018 to better. sizes 2 – 2/0 hook; OBX Sheepshead Basic Rigs. Sheepshead must be larger than 12" - measured from the tip. Adult sheepshead grows to be around 1-8 pounds (. Size 6 to 8 hooks will work. Sheepshead can be very fussy at times. 6 out of 5 stars 103 $9. William Egerter Jr. How to Catch Sheepshead At Night: Do Sheepshead Bite At Night? Sheepshead Fishing Rig: Best Fishing Rig For Sheepshead [4 Best]The average size is under a pound with the maximum being about 3-4 pounds. Go heavy with 20-25 lb. The minimum size limit for sheepshead is 10 inches fork length, which is measured from the fork in the tail to the tip of the snout. They are so similar in terms of performance, quality, longevity, and overall user experience that making a final purchasing decision may be difficult. Fluorocarbon line also handles the abrasion better than monofilament. The circular shape of these hooks will provide better hookups while the small size allows them to fit inside the small mouths of sheepshead. Although sheepshead are found all along the eastern US and South American Atlantic coastline, they particularly like the Gulf waters around Florida. I like to use around a size 2/0 hook either octopus or straight shank hook, either or will do the trick. Summerlin was targeting sheepshead using soft crab rigged on a sliding sinker “fishfinder rig” with an 8/0 circle hook, and a spinning rod with 60-pound braid and a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader. They also have relatively small mouths, so a hook small enough to fit in their mouth is required. A mix-up can result in up to $255 in fines and court costs. The fish we are seeing up here in the northeast are wanderers, and the more food they find – as a general rule – the bigger they are going to get. If you target sheepshead, then you need to have this rig in your arsenal. Begin with a two-foot piece of 80-pound test monofilament line and tie a Mustad # 3467 hook, size 4 or 6, to one end. My go-to rig for catching sheepshead around structure is a dropper rig. Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc. Sheepshead are one of the most recognized fish in the ocean. I use the High-Low rig with circle hooks from Gamakatsu 2/0-4/0 and Eagle Claw 2/0-3/0. If you take a huge clump of Clam out of its shell and put it on a hook, this does not mean you are guaranteed a big Sheepshead. It feeds on shellfish, octopuses, and a wide variety of fish. Gamakatsu Octopus Hook For Sheepshead. The weight you use depends on the current where you're fishing. Sheepshead. A very small piece of split shot (1/16 or 1/32 ounce) on your line will keep it slightly down in the water column as it drifts. Size: Average Sheepshead range from 1 pound to around 4 pounds. Any fish that earns comparison to the renowned smallmouth bass is getting high praise, indeed. Hence, a razor sharp hook would be the best option for this notorious fish. One of the best times to use this method is to have sighted sheep in and around pylons or on oyster shells. Clean bait injector with soap and water after each use. 31:27 – How to set the hook (sheepshead are notorious bait stealers) 33:40 – Tony’s favorite sheepshead rig for using fiddler crabs or sand fleas. In most of their range freshwater drum commonly reach weights of 1 to 5 pounds (0. The smaller, the better when it goes to get a hook up in the sheepshead’s mouth; we recommend a 1/0 or 2/0 octopus sheepshead hook. You will be amazed at the size of fish you can catch on such a small bait. Terry Frankford. To offer up a quick summary of the basics of hook sizing, the most important thing to note is that the smaller the size of a hook, the larger the hook actually is. The minimum size limit for sheepshead is 10 inches fork length, which is measured from the fork in the tail to the tip of the snout. It is a hook on your line with a shrimp that is free to swim around. There are two styles of hook commonly used for hooking sand fleas: Pompano fishermen favor the Kahle hook, which features a wide, round bend that aims the hook point back toward the middle of the hook shaft. A 1/8th oz. Sheepshead migrate inshore during the winter in Florida. Another thing to keep in mind with these baits is that fresh is best. This forms a natural gate. Knocker Rig. 850-487-0554. Then, put the split shot about 3-4″ up from your hook. When it comes to hooks, you can use anything from No. Ok, trying to expand my horizion. The size is dependent on the bait size, but 1/0 works almost every time. Sheepshead fishing requires medium size, strong and short-shanked hooks. This method works great fooling the sheepshead,the hook is buried in the head of the shrimp, just make sure the shrimp is small. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers with small mouths like mangrove snappers and sheepshead. To catch sheepshead, fishermen may choose hand lines, cane poles and spinning tackle and use fiddler crabs, barnacles, oysters, clams, crabs and shrimp for bait. Smaller hook sizes are a must for catching excellent bait stealers…. Sheepshead fishing around bridge pylons in the main channel can yield some of the strongest currents and require heavier weights; fishing around docks farther inshore is less severe on currents,. Riptail 5276 Octopus Circle Hooks. Illegal Gear: Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural. Mussels as Sheepshead Bait; How to Rig Mussels: 5. They have prominent teeth with incisors, molars and rounded grinders that enable them to crush shellfish and sea urchins. They have also been known to hang underneath schools of spadefish as well. Trying to do so from a bouncing boat only adds to the challenge. Size, Age, and Growth of a Sheepshead. Sheepshead, on the other hand will rarely get over 10 to 12 pounds. 16 inches. 15kg) Snapper on a size 4/0 hook and, later that day, smaller ones up to 35 centimeters on the same size. I bait them with shrimp, squid and bloodworms. Use long-shanked hooks. Crankbaits. This is because of two attributes: their dark vertical stripes and human like teeth. 3 out of 5 stars 60 $9. Daily Bag Limit: 8 per person. A 1. You’ll also need your choice of. Where to Locate Sheepshead. Size: Can grow to 76 cm (30 in), but commonly reaches 30 to 50 cm (10 to 20 in). Gear Requirements: Legal Gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig; Illegal Gear: Harvest prohibited by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait; Snatching prohibited. The same principle applies with other characteristics so you can have 1X fine, 1x heavy, 1x short and so on. ”. Next, slide your sinker slider onto your fishing line and clip your pyramid weight to. My hook is a 1/O Redfishone “live bait short shank”. It is very hard for them to throw the. jig and Eagle Claw bait holder are recommended. However, sheepshead don’t only have large teeth—they also have large lips, which represent a great target for your hook tips. Their good vision is also a reason for using fluorocarbon leaders in the 10-15lb class, to further reduce the gear's profile in the water. Fiddlers are a great size to be used whole. Give this fish a chance to nibble before you try to set your hook. Sheepshead are a restricted species - which means they have both a legal size limit and a bag limit. 25:11 – Using weighted hooks vs. To fish for sheepshead in Texas, all anglers are required to have a fishing license. That's when you want to set the hook. When fishing for Sheepshead, you should use a standard light wire hook, typically size 2/0 or 2. The heavier hook is used for deeper water when Dubiel has to get a 360GT down to structure. These smaller circle hooks allow for the smaller mouthed, sometimes undetectable hitting fish to frequently hook themselves. Ground was broken in February 2019. Circle hooks work great for sheepshead. Soft baits are the best artificial choice for Sheepshead, because they simply imitate what you would normally put on a hook in terms of live bait. Moreover, the hook would have to be smaller to fit perfectly in the fish's small mouth. If the hook point goes anywhere past. A size 3/0 to 5/0 should do the trick.