Why Do PRO Anglers Target Sheepshead THIS Way?
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Sheepshead, Weekly Newsletter: 01-12-25
Are you ready to tackle one of the trickiest fish in the water? 🎣 Sheepshead are known for their tough bites, clever feeding habits, and those unmistakable chomper-like teeth.
But don’t worry—I teamed up with local fishing guide John Page to break it all down for you.
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In this video, we’ll take you step-by-step through everything you need to know to hook more sheepshead, including:
- The best rigs and tackle for sheepshead fishing
- How to collect and rig mangrove crabs (the bait they can’t resist!)
- Key tips for feeling the bite and setting the hook
- Where to find sheepshead, from bridge pilings to dock structures
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this guide is packed with tips to help you land more of these challenging fish.
If you enjoyed the video, or have any tips we didn’t cover—let me know in the comments below!
Let’s get out there and catch some fish!
Tight lines! 🎣
– Pat
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
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- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
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- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I’m a inshore charter captain here in ft.pierce fla, I primarily bottom fish, standard rig is a swivel at top, 40lb fluocarbon leader and a number 2 eagle claw bait holder hook. I use a 1 Oz egg sinker above the swivel that slides on my 20lb test big game line. I use live shrimp and fish the channel markers in the river. This set up is deadly for Sheepshead as this time of year I have been tearing them up. Catching 25 at a time with 16 keepers, minimum size is 12 inches. You will generally feel two thumps and on the second thump set the hook hard as Sheepshead have a tough mouth which requires a firm hook set. By the way those are called fiddler crabs which is also candy for them. Live shrimp will work as well which I use. They are some of the best eating fish in the river as their diet is mostly crabs, shrimp, barnacles which makes the meat delicious.
Hey, Pat.
What do you use to mount your Go Pro to your hat?
I use a 1/4 -20 bolt drilled through the bill and screwed into the mount on the bottom of the camera
Thanks for the question!
Thanks Pat, I have never caught a Sheepshead, but I am hoping to catch one soon. Thanks for the video.
Best of luck to you!
I LIKE WHAT I SAW IN YOUR VIDEO. WHERE IS THAT PLACE THAT YOU WERE FISHING AT. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE BODY OF WATER AND THE BRIDGE THAT YOU WERE UNDER.
I think it’s the Chattahoochee River bridge at 285
That was in the Grant area of Florida. We were fishing under the US1 bridge and the railroad bridge.
great
Thanks!
Thanks Pat for the video. It is very informative. I’m wanting to try fishing the bridge pylons under the Dickenson Bayou bridge North of Galveston, TX. Since the temperatures are dropping I’m hoping the Sheepshead are still around. Thanks again and Happy New Year!
You’re welcome Johan! In the winter they’ll hang around until it starts to warm up and then they’ll spawn around the rigs.
Get them while you can!
Thank you for the tips! Looking forward to getting out and trying it
Great video Thanks to you both
Thanks David!
Great stuff Pat! Thanks to John also for the excellent insight!
Thanks JD! John has them dialed in!
Great stuff guys!
Thanks Joe!