By Capt. Jamie Thrappas, Yellow Dawg Fishing
February is one of our coldest months, but the fishing can be hot if you target the right species and go on the right days and tides. I’ll either be fishing the inlet for sheepshead and black drum or I’ll be in the flats targeting schooling redfish. The sheepshead bite should be at its best in February, and focusing on structure like the jetty rocks or docks will produce plenty of keeper size fish for your fish fry! These fish like crustaceans, and fiddler crabs & sand fleas are my favorite baits to use. Don’t discount shrimp if you can’t get any fiddlers or fleas, I’ve caught my biggest sheepshead on shrimp!!
In my opinion the best rig for catching these guys are small #1 or #2 5115 Owner straight hooks. I either rig them like a knocker rig or use a Carolina set up with a short 15-20 lb. fluorocarbon leader of 12″ or less. I also like adding a piece of sand flea fish bites about the size of my pinky fingernail. Use enough weight to reach the bottom and then reel up a reel. These guys hit light and usually I will just see my line moving, the trick is not trying to rip their head off when setting the hook as you will usually just bounce the hook tip off their teeth and they get a meal while you get robbed. Instead, when you get a bite just lift your rod tip and reel at the same time and that hook will slide in between their teeth letting you reel in a fish sandwich!
I also like to throw out 1/2 or 1/4 pieces of fresh blue crab while sheepshead fishing with a bigger set up out behind the boat. The big black drum will be hanging around the same areas as sheepshead and there’s no better surprise than hearing a drag scream while being humbled by the convicts who keep stealing your bait!
Feel free to reach out with any questions or stop by my bait and tackle shop, Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle, in Ormond Beach at High Bridge so we can point you in the right direction and also set you up with the right tackle! As always if you see us out there say hello!
