Some great weather over the last couple of weeks has allowed us to make the short run out to the nearshore wrecks along the Grand Strand where we are catching good numbers of sheepshead. Water temps have fallen to the mid 50s which is the magic number to start targeting sheeps on the reefs. As the water continues to cool, more sheepshead will leave the inshore estuaries to congregate around structure and live bottom in 25ft+. We primarily target sheepshead with light tackle set ups, using fiddler crabs, clam strips, or barnacles for bait. Notorious for being bait stealers and scrappy fighters, many of the sheepshead we catch in the winter average 4-6lbs, with 8-10lb fish thrown in for good measure.
I recently had the pleasure of fishing with good friend Capt. Shane Bashor of Sidekick Charters out of Murrells Inlet SC, and we made the quick run from Capt Dicks Marina to an uncharted reef in 40ft of water. Within minutes of throwing the anchor, fish were coming over the side of the boat... Sea Bass, Redfish, Flounder, and Sheepshead were hitting the deck all day. Fishing in December is awesome... especially when you know its only gonna get better!
