While STAR certainly made gafftop a star, sheepshead have also gained an increase in followers.
Deep marsh areas can provide the crustaceans and small fish that make up their diet. This is especially true on the Upper Coast where marshes extend many miles from the bay itself.
Here a few things to consider when targeting marsh sheephead.
*Arriving at your chosen spot just as the tide starts to rise is ideal, as this is when sheepshead are most active in my opinion. Outgoing can be good too but in summer rising tides work better.
*Equipping yourself with the right gear is crucial. Use a medium-heavy rod with a sensitive tip to detect the subtle bites of a sheepshead. Use braided line for bite detection and rig up a Carolina rig with a fluorocarbon leader.
*Use live or fresh dead shrimp for bait. At jetties in summer it’s live only pretty much but you can get away with fresh dead in the marsh.
*Sheepshead are notorious nibblers, so staying alert for the slightest line movement is important. Sometimes you have to“feel the bite” and then wait a few seconds before setting the hook. This ensures the fish has the bait securely in its mouth.
*In super shallow waters, stealth is key. Move slowly and quietly to avoid spooking them. They can be as spooky as redfish at times.
Some anglers have even done well by chumming sheepshead in the marsh in the Sabine Lake area by putting over by grinding up shrimp. This can work but keep in mind if you see a lot of gar in the marsh they will beat the sheepshead to the chum line and probably your bait.
Chester Moore