Carrabelle 12/11

[Second Chance]

Well for once the forecast was right on. NW winds @ 20 knts. With seas offshore at 8-10ft we deceide to go with plan "B". Pick up some live shrimp and try the river. Water in the river was 60 degrees and very stained. Headed to a oyster bar and had to put out the big anchor with 15 ft of chain to hold in that wind. We were two hours after low tide but, the wind and the current were still pushing the water out. First trout, 19", took a live shrimp free lined as it drifted by the bar. Beautiful fish coming out of that stained water. When they come to the top and thrash all you can see is that big yellow mouth We fished that spot for the next couple of hours until the tide finally turned. Final tally:

Specs
2 @ 19"
3 @ 18"
1 @ 17"
1 @ 16"
5 shorts

3 rat reds

6 sheedheads

Considering the conditions not a bad day. Caught some fish with my son

[dstockwell]

Very good for that forecast.

[Flats Rascal]

And I thought everyone was Christmas shopping.

Good report, 2nd.

[wevans]

Now that's the way ta turn what could have been a disapointing day into a fun and productive day a very nice catch

[Aucilla]

Nice job! But tell me more about those sheephead: I must admit I have never caught one! [I was going to take up spear fishing just to get some for dinner!:lick: ]

I hear you have to set the hook "before they bite." How do you catch sheephead when you are hopin' for trout our redfish, like you were? I mean with the red, you don't, or at least I don't, just set that hook right away....

So, how'd you do it??

[Second Chance]

Acuilla,
This is the old " blind hog and an acorn" deal. The sheepheads are always a by-catch when we are using live shrimp around these oyster bars. We seem to catch more of them if the shrimp gets to the bottm and is not moving. We do bring back in a lot heads only shrimp when the sheepheads are thick. As far as setting the hook I don't do anything different than with a trout. Since I am free lining live shrimp as soon as I feel a tic or see the line jump the trout is on and I set the hook. Because I use small (#4 or #6) light wire hooks probably helps my hook ratio.

[Chalk]

Good job....

[Aucilla]

Thanks SC. I forgot about that small-hook thing for the sheepshead and find it intereting you use 'em for trout too. Now with redfish, I like to let 'em "chew on" my bait for a few seconds..... before trying to hook 'em. Also, I guess I'd never get a sheephead with a circle hook....