One of the most overlooked features in a fish finder is the temperature gauge. You can look as much as you like on the bottom structure, but if the water temperature is not right, your chances of catching fish are dramatically reduced.
Captain Mike Waller of Saltfisher Charters, one of the most talented sheep fishermen in the area, said this week that fishing with sheep shells was a success or a failure, probably because of the water temperatures.
“The water temperature was 55 to 58 (degrees) this week. Last week it was 48 to 54. Last weekend I saw 60 in some places, but a few days later it dropped to 58. We are almost there. I think when we reach 60 he will call, “said Waller, who operates at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
Following an evening regulation on March 4, Waller’s Sheepshead report was more impressive. He managed to find a water temperature of 60 degrees and his customers enjoyed a great ride.
“We caught three spots and caught fish on two of them. We moved around looking for the reds first and caught two redfish, but it was a slow bite,” said Waller. “We moved to the ram barrel and ended up taking about 35. The size ranged from 15 to 40 centimeters. It was a wide range of sizes. And I don’t know how many we lost. I scored 25 of them. My clients were thrilled.”
The Sheepshead is a distinct species with an oval body that is light gray with alternating vertical black stripes. When you pick one up, you quickly realize that you don’t want to put your fingers in your mouth to hold it. Sheepshead has an almost human dentition, incisors on the front and molars on the sides, perfect for chewing mussels, seafood, oysters, etc.
The average size of a South Carolina sheep barrel is 14 inches, or about three pounds. The state record is 16 pounds and 6 ounces. If fishermen want to keep their catch, there is a limit of 10 fish per fisherman (30 fish per boat) and the ram’s shield must measure at least 14 inches. The largest barrels of sheep are now found on the state’s artificial reefs.
Sheepshead are notorious bait thieves. They can steal fiddler crabs, the most popular sheep bait, from a fisherman’s hook without the fisherman having a clue. Veterans would say that you have to hook the fish before the fish bites. But Waller disagrees.
“Adults, when they feel the sting, lower the end of the rod and then hook the hook. If you do, you will lose the fish. When you feel the sting, you raise the rod and put the hook in. If you let go of the end of the rod he went with his crab, “said Waller.
Waller said that children are much easier to instruct in this technique than adults because they have no preconceived notions and usually end up catching more fish than adults.
Waller uses 7-foot Shimano rods, Penn coils and a 15 or 20 pound braided line. A 1-ounce barrel sinker goes on the main line, followed by a spin, a leader of a 30-pound monofilament line measuring between ten and fifteen centimeters and an Owner Mosquito 1/0 hook with a violinist crab’s bait.
He likes to fish vertically around stakes, rocks or logs. He often uses an underwater camera to make sure that the sheep’s heads are close by, although his presence does not guarantee a bite.
But as the water temperature rises, your chances of catching shells and other species are certainly improving.
“When it reaches 68 degrees,” said Waller, “it looks like it connects everything, sheep shells, sharks, sole, trout, everything. As long as it’s above 60 degrees, the bite must be very good.”
Charleston Inshore Anglers Sheepshead Tournament
The 28th annual “Big Ed” Sheepshead tournament for Charleston Inshore Anglers will be fished on April 17th. The captain’s meeting and registration will take place from 5:30 am to 7:30 pm on April 15 at the American Legion Post 147, located at 968 Folly Road. The weigh-in for the tournament will also be held at the American Legion Post 147 from 4pm to 5pm. The entry fee to the tournament is $ 40.
Contact Kevin Mischke at 843-324-1006; Robbie Zetrouer at 843-709-0650; Nick Kvestad at 843-557-2811; or Gene Broderick at 843-224-6826
Brady Bates Redfish Open
The Brady Bates Youth Redfish Open Scholarship Tournament is scheduled for April 10 at Buck Hall Landing. The tournament is part of the Student Angler League Tournament Track. Last year’s tournament saw $ 15,000 in scholarships awarded. The tournament is free for all members of the SALTT (Student Angler League Tournament Trail). Visit salttfishing.com for information or send an email to [email protected].
America’s Boating Club
America’s Boating Club Charleston will take a boat safety class on March 13 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. A class will also be held on March 20 at the Berkeley County Emergency Training Center in Moncks Corner. Classes start at 9am and end around 4pm. Successful participants receive the Educational Card from the Department of Natural Resources of SC. The cost is $ 25 for adults and youth ages 12 to 18 are free. Call 843-312-2876 or send an email to [email protected].