Can you catch Sheepshead inshore in the winter.

[SemperFiDawg]

I know they pile up on the near shore reefs, but can they still be caught around the docks and piling during that time also.

 

[Railroader]

Yes, best time of the year...

 

[crackerdave]

Yes,you sure can....and BIG ones,too!

 

[GSUbackwoods]

Went this past Saturday, caught 18 keepers. We do not start fishing for them until December, we fish for them inshore through February/March.

 

[Rhodes]

Went this past Saturday, caught 18 keepers.

What's your go to bait and set-up if you don't mind sharing.

 

[GSUbackwoods]

What's your go to bait and set-up if you don't mind sharing.

We use normally use live fiddlers, but have been known to also use oysters, small pieces of fresh dead/frozen shrimp and even barnacles.

For setup, you want a sensitive tipped rod, I like a ML to M weight; this past trip I tried a 28" Ugly Stik GX2 ice fishing rod, super sensitive and they put up a heck of a fight on that little rod. I use 20lb braid main line with a 20lb mono leader, you want a short leader around 6". For rig, I use the standard carolina rig with just enough weight to get to bottom, this can vary anywhere between 1/2 and 2oz.

 

[Rhodes]

Thanks for the info, we typically use live fiddlers also.