I dropped a camera down beneath a bridge roughly 1 mile from shore in the Gulf to get a glimpse of the world down there.

This gives us awesome insight into what kinds of structure and species are down there!

Take a look!!

Journey Below The Bridge For Underwater Views! [VIDEO]

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Prawn USA Junior Rig:

• Prawn USA Junior Shrimp Lure
• Hoss Weedless Football Jighead (3/0 hook with 1/2 oz. weight)
• Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Scent

As you can see there are a TON of different fish swimming around with all sorts of rocks and rubble below.

This structure attracts all types of life.

Sheepshead, grunts, mangrove snapper and even some grouper mixed in as well.

Although you can’t see many grouper on camera, they were there.

One of the red grouper down there couldn’t resist the Prawn USA Junior.

That strike I was able to capture on film!

The rest of the fish didn’t seem to react at all to the strike.

This just goes to show that if you find the right spots, you can catch fish after fish.

These fish were constantly moving and on the hunt for something to eat.

A critical component to this type of fishing is using a weedless rig.

You can do this with both live or artificial baits.

Do you want to see more underwater camera footage like this?

Let me know what I should capture next in the comments below!!

FINDING THE FISH HELP

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. WEEKEND GAME PLANS (UPDATED WEEKLY)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. SMART FISHING SPOTS PLATFORM (UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. COMMUNITY REPORTS (LIVE FEED)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

90/10 ZONE INSHORE FISHING NEWSLETTER

Oh, and be sure to sign up for FREE Access to Salt Strong’s 90/10 Zone Newsletter!

It’s the Ultimate Inshore Fishing Blast with the MOST RECENT on-the-water updates, weekly trends, hot lures, catches of the week, fish tales, conservation news, and everything else for Inshore Fishing…

Sent to your inbox free 2x per week!

90/10 Newsletter

The post Underwater Mysteries: Journey Below The Bridge For Unreal Views! appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Temperatures are climbing, the crabs are out, and baitfish is everywhere – summer is coming!

I met up with local YouTuber Erin Weaver (finsandfossils) in search of some bites next to nearby docks.

Take a look at the full trip below!!

Catch BIG Sheepshead In Early Summer [VIDEO]

Find NEW Saltwater Fishing Spots In Your Area In 60 Seconds or Less!!!

See the FULL Insider Report here

Setup Used:

• Rod: Fenwick HMG 7’2 Medium Fast Rod
• Reel: Penn Clash II 
• Jig head: 1/2 oz Jawbreaker Jig (Travis Harrison from @43_2fishing on Instagram)
• Main Line: 30 lb Berkley x9 Braid (or 20lb PowerPro Braid)
• Leader Line: 20lb Ande Monofilament

Once we got close to the docks, we started out using mud crabs on a 1/2-ounce jighead.

It didn’t take long at all to get a bite!!

But that didn’t last long…

Erin caught a few small fish after the first one I caught and then the tides changed so we moved to a different set of docks.

We got plenty of bites once we moved.

A giant sheepshead was screaming drag off my spool and I thought I had it wrapped around the dock pilings.

But, I was able to pull it out and stick with it.

Major Takeaway

The major takeaway from this trip was to target shaded areas.

Every fish I caught on this trip was below a shaded dock.

Water temperatures are rising and the fish are slowing down just a bit.

I did not get any attention from any fish in the sunny areas.

Try to target docks with deepwater and shade so the fish can find stable conditions to feed.

Tackle & Gear

I tend to use 30lb braid for sheepshead fishing because of how close I fish to the docks and pilings.

Break-offs will happen when fishing this close to structure so it is a good idea to bump up your line.

I also use a Medium or Medium-Heavy rod paired with a 2500-sized reel to make sure you have enough power to get the fish out of structure.

Finding the feeding fish is ultimately the ticket to your success.

Finding The Fish Help

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. Community Reports (live feed)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

The post Where To Catch BIG Sheepshead In Early Summer appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

My favorite trips on the water are when we can meet up with an Insider Member and make a day out of it.

Don’t miss this jetty fishing action in the video below!!

How To Fish Jetties For Sheepshead [VIDEO]

See the FULL Insider Report with all of the details from this trip

Join the Insider Club and get the Smart Fishing Spots App for FREE

We immediately started getting bites right up against the rocks where the fish were holding.

I was losing every fiddler crab I rigged on my hook because I had trouble feeling the bites at first.

The bites came very fast, very tight to the structure.

Ryan was taking Richard and me to school pulling in sheepshead after sheepshead.

Until I realized that I was using a fishing rod that had way too heavy of a tip section.

The Medium-Heavy rod I was using made it much harder for me to feel the sheepshead bites before it was too late.

I switched over to another lighter rod and within seconds all the difference was made.

Shortly after, I got my first keeper…in as much time as it almost took Ryan to reach his limit for the day!!

Rigging Fiddler Crabs

On this trip, we were sliding the hook through one of the leg openings on the fiddler crab.

But we stopped just before exposing the hook point out the other end of the crab.

This was all in an effort to create a weedless presentation.

When sheepshead go to eat the crab, they put the entire piece in their mouth to try and crush the shell open.

You want the hook point to face the top of the shell so the sheepshead bites right down on it.

Conclusion

You’ll tend to find sheepshead near bridges, docks, or other underwater structure that provides cover and shelter.

All you need is a simple rig with live crabs or shrimp (live or dead) will work excellently well too.

Just be sure you have the right gear and can feel each bite in order to set the hook and bring dinner home!

Do you have any questions about jetty fishing for sheepshead?

Is there anything you do differently when targeting sheepshead near jetties?

Go ahead and share in the comments underneath this article!!

Finding The Fish Help

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. Community Reports (live feed)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform

The post How To Fish Jetties For Sheepshead [Fishing Report] appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Do you need to look for different conditions or features in a sheepshead fishing spot?

I’ll answer these questions and more in the video below!!

Catch Sheepshead From A Kayak [VIDEO]

Join the Insider Club and get the Smart Fishing Spots App for FREE

1) Positioning

You want to be close enough to cast near structure to catch these fish but also give yourself enough space to pull away from structure when you hook into a fish.

I recommend fishing the backside of bridge pilings or structure with the current coming toward you.

This helps prevent you from slamming into the pilings and helps prevent your bait from getting snagged.

Most of the time, sheepshead will try and dive right back down to the piling they were sitting next to the second they feel hooked.

Furthermore, it can benefit you to have the drive already in reverse before approaching a piling to make sure you can move the fish away from there as soon as possible.

You’ll land more fish and save money on gear this way.

2) Don’t Spend Too Much Time Fishing The Same Piling

For the most part, when it comes to catching sheepshead, I usually feel a strike right away or within a few seconds after dropping my bait down.

You want to find the fish and you’ll be able to tell within a few minutes if there are fish present or not.

I definitely get more strikes within a few seconds than if I were to bait and wait.

Moving from piling to piling saves you time and increases your chances of catching more fish.

3) Rigging

I prefer to use Jawbreaker Jigheads to rig up crabs for sheepshead fishing.

To rig these crabs, I cut off one of their claws and slide the hook point through and out the socket that remains.

A common mistake I see anglers make is trying to force the hook through the tough exterior shell of the crab and they end up ruining that piece of bait.

Gently slide the hook point through the leg socket and up and out through the backside of the crab.

Conclusion

Targeting sheepshead is an excellent way to shake things up and try something different.

You’re almost guaranteed to find a few sheepshead hanging around pilings or docks!!

Do you have any other questions on how to catch more sheepshead?

Let me know if you do anything different when targeting sheepshead around dock and bridge pilings!

Finding The Fish Help

In order to help make sure that you are targeting the right areas based on the latest feeding trends and upcoming weather forecasts, make sure to use the following 3 resources because they will save you a ton of time.

1. Weekend Game Plans (updated weekly)

These regional game plans will show you exactly what types of spots to target in under 10 minutes… just click the video to start, and you’ll be informed on what to do on your next trip.

Weekend Game Plan Lessons

2. Smart Fishing Spots Platform (updated every 15 minutes)

This exclusive software literally shows you where the most fish are likely to be feeding based on exactly when you’ll be fishing. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day.

Smart Fishing Spots App

3. Community Reports (live feed)

The Insider Community platform is what you can use to see what is biting near you, and you can get to know other members who fish in your area. Plus, you can use it to keep a log of your catches so you can use past trips to help predict future catches.

Community Platform 

If you know someone who wants to learn more about the best ways to catch sheepshead from a kayak, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

Oh, and if you Join the Insider Club TODAY,  Smart Fishing Spots is absolutely FREE! Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

Related Articles:

• TOP 3 TYPES OF BAIT FOR TARGETING SHEEPSHEAD
• HOW TO RIG THE BEST BAITS FOR SHEEPSHEAD FISHING
• THE RIGHT WAY TO RIG LIVE SHRIMP TO CATCH SHEEPSHEAD

The post 3 Ways To Catch More Sheepshead From A Kayak appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Below, you’ll learn how to rig shrimp, sand fleas, and fiddler crabs on a sheepshead jig.

Take a look!!

Rig The Best Baits For Sheepshead Fishing [VIDEO]

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Shrimp

When it comes to fishing with shrimp, I prefer to remove all of the appendages including legs and antennae.

This gives smaller baitfish or predatory fish something to grab onto that isn’t buried in the hook.

First, remove the head of the shrimp (you can use the head later on if you want, but it gives fish chances to steal your bait).

You can leave the tail on if you prefer or you can twist or pinch it off.

If you remove the tail, you can slide it on the jig later in the day to get the most out of the bait you have.

You want to use bite-sized pieces that will match the size of your hook.

When you have the shrimp pieces cut and ready, slide one of them onto the hook and thread it over the barb.

The hook is now buried in the shrimp and if something wants to eat it, it has to take the whole jig!

Sand Fleas

When it comes to rigging sand fleas, you want to have it so the bait rests on top of the weight on the jig.

First, insert the hook point through the bottom of the sand flea near its rear and out through the top.

Due to the shape of this sickle hook, if you turn the sand flea around, it locks it into the barb.

Fish can’t steal this bait because very little is hanging off the back.

Anything that tries to eat this sand flea is going to get the hook point buried in its mouth.

This is the best way to secure your bait and keep the hook point fully exposed.

Fiddler Crabs

To start, remove the larger claws off of the fiddler crabs.

Take the hook point and insert it in between the bottom two legs of the crab.

Then let it hover above the weight like so.

Anything coming over to eat the crab has to bite down over the entire jig.

The barb of the hook will bury itself into the fish’s mouth.

As soon as you feel any tension, you can set the hook and it will latch onto the fish.

Conclusion

With that said, there is a MYRIAD of different rigging techniques and methods.

I’d love to hear your feedback and the different ways you like to rig any of these baits for sheepshead in particular!!

What’s your favorite bait to target sheepshead?

If you know someone who wants to learn more about how to rig the best baits for sheepshead fishing, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

Oh, and if you Join the Insider Club TODAY,  Smart Fishing Spots is absolutely FREE! Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

Related Articles:

• TOP 3 TYPES OF BAIT FOR TARGETING SHEEPSHEAD
• HOW TO CATCH SHEEPSHEAD UNDER BRIDGE PILINGS USING SHRIMP
• TOP 2 SHEEPSHEAD RIGS (AND WHEN TO USE THEM)

The post How To Rig The Best Baits For Sheepshead Fishing appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

What is your go-to bait for targeting sheepshead?

Sheepshead are starting to show up again in mid-Atlantic waters!!

So what do you need to know to target these fish?

Find out below!!

Bait For Targeting Sheepshead [VIDEO]

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Sheepshead Feeding Habits

Younger sheepshead have slightly different diets than older, larger sheepshead.

The cut-off point is typically around 14-15 inches.

When sheepshead are younger and smaller, they focus more on eating mollusks like clams, mussels, and oysters.

Once they reach the 14-15 inch mark, they start to diversify their diet and expand the menu.

They will begin to target crabs and sand fleas as well as minnows or blood worms.

1) Shrimp

Shrimp is an outstanding bait for pretty much anything that swims inshore.

The only main drawback to using shrimp are nuisance fish and poachers that want to steal the shrimp off your hook.

However, shrimp are an absolute must because sheepshead will seek out and eat shrimp.

Shrimp can be live or frozen and I prefer to rig them up on weighted jigs.

It is a quality presentation for inshore fish and helps prevent possible snags and hang-ups.

A great way to maintain a shrimp presentation without the real thing is using the Power Prawn USA.

The best time to switch over to artificial for sheepshead is when the tide slows down and you can creep up on bridge pilings and structures without battling the current.

2) Sand Fleas

Sand fleas are an excellent bait up and down the east coast.

Live sand fleas or even dead ones work best but you could also fish with frozen sand fleas as well.

Keep in mind, that frozen sand fleas need time to thaw out a bit, or else they may thaw underwater and fall off the hook.

As far as rigging, as mentioned previously with rigging shrimp, I prefer to use bottom sweeper weighted jigs.

The sickle-shaped hook design is perfect for rigging up sand fleas.

You don’t want much hanging off the hook for a fish to come and steal your bait.

Once I rig the sand flea on the hook, I twist it around and on top of the weight so it rests just underneath the barb of the hook.

Now, the fish has to put the hook in their mouth if they want to eat the sand flea.

Sand fleas often die quickly when using them as bait and the most common reason for this is they die from the urine that accumulates in the container fishermen keep them in.

Make sure you are keeping an eye on live sand fleas throughout your trip.

3) Fiddler Crabs

There are so many species of crabs out there that whatever is available in your local tackle stores will work.

However, if you have the option, always go for the fiddler crabs when targeting sheepshead.

Usually, you have to go out and catch them so if there is a local store that sells them near you, take advantage!

As far as size goes, the dime to nickel-sized fiddler crabs are best.

The smallest fiddler crabs hook into the biggest sheepshead.

When rigging fiddler crabs on hooks, I always use the bottom sweeper style jigs as mentioned above.

When it comes to rigging, I like to slide the hook into the last two legs of the crab until the barb is secure.

Then the crab almost ‘hovers’ above the jig.

So when a fish comes to eat the crab, they end up snagging the hook in their lip as well.

Also, it is definitely helpful to remove the larger claws off of fiddler crabs so as not to give them anything to grab a hold of the hook with.

Conclusion

Sometimes the smallest baits catch the biggest fish!!!

Sheepshead are so much fun to target and with surging numbers up in the Northeast, it is a perfect time to get out and look for these fish.

Remember, EVERYTHING EATS A SHRIMP!!!

Do you have any questions about targeting sheepshead or other questions about types of bait?

Let me know what you thought of these tips down below!!

And if you know someone who wants to learn more about the top 3 types of bait for targeting sheepshead, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

Oh, and if you Join the Insider Club TODAY, Smart Fishing Spots is absolutely FREE! Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

Related Articles:

• HOW TO RIG FIDDLER CRABS FOR REDFISH & SHEEPSHEAD
• THE RIGHT WAY TO RIG LIVE SHRIMP TO CATCH SHEEPSHEAD
• TARGETING SHEEPSHEAD ON THE FLATS

The post Top 3 Types Of Bait For Targeting Sheepshead appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

What common mistakes to people make when rigging live shrimp?

Check this out if you want to catch more sheepshead RIGHT NOW!

Learn more here!!

How To Rig Live Shrimp For Sheepshead

The assembly of this rig is simple and you need only a few pieces of gear.

You need a small 1/16 oz. bullet weight and a 1/0 octopus inline hook.

How To Hook The Shrimp

For this rig, you are inserting the hook through the head of the shrimp.

First, carefully tear off the tail of the shrimp because it adds scent to attract the sheepshead to the bait.

Then, take your octopus inline hook and hook it just underneath the front horn of the shrimp on its head.

There is a clear spot just underneath the top horns on the shrimp where you want to put the hook.

Be careful not to be too far back in the darker area of the head because that will kill the shrimp.

Where To Place Your Shrimp

The main key to fishing for sheepshead with live shrimp is keeping that shrimp as close as possible to the structure itself.

Ideally, you want your bait right where pilings bend and the current is sweeping around them.

When fishing with live bait, you want your bait to drift with the current into the structure.

If you can’t set yourself up in that perfect scenario, then it is best to get up as close as possible to the structure you are fishing.

Maintain the tension on your line and wait to feel that bite from a sheepshead.

If you are using a circle hook, you DO NOT want to set the hook aggressively.

Instead, you need to just reel up and fast to let the hook set itself in corner of the fish’s mouth.

How To Rig Live Shrimp For Sheepshead [VIDEO]

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Click here to check out our 11 Lures for $0.01 Special Offer

Featured Equipment:

• 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Hooks
• 1/16 oz. Bullet Weights

Conclusion

This is a fantastic time of year to target some pilings and underwater structures for sheepshead that may be holding close.

Live shrimp or artificial shrimp and crustacean lures are an excellent way to hook up with sheepshead hugging structure.

Be sure to get up and close to the pilings where the sheepshead will likely be hanging around!

Do you have any more questions about live shrimp fishing for sheepshead?

Let me know down in the comments!

And if you know someone who wants to learn more about how to catch spooky fish, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

P.S. – Want to catch big, good-eating, and feisty sheepshead with live bait or artificial lures, near pilings and underwater structure? Check out our Sheepshead Mini-Course.

Related Articles:

• HOW TO RIG FIDDLER CRABS FOR REDFISH & SHEEPSHEAD
• HOW TO CATCH SHEEPSHEAD UNDER BRIDGE PILINGS USING SHRIMP
• 3-STEP METHOD TO STOP MISSING SHEEPSHEAD BITES

The post The RIGHT WAY To Rig Live Shrimp To Catch Sheepshead appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.

Are there specific ways to rig fiddler crabs on hooks and jigheads?

If you want to catch more fish using fiddler crabs, then check this out!

Learn more below!!

Best Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs

Fiddler crabs are an excellent bait for catching sheepshead as well as redfish and black drum cruising the bottom of flats.

To begin, you need the right terminal tackle to set up the rig.

Either Mission Fishin’ jigheads or Bottom Sweeper jigheads will work best because of their design.

They are made to have a smooth bottom with the eye of the jighead placed on top of the weight.

Another option is to use an octopus-style hook with a small pinch weight attached above it.

Gamakatsu octopus hooks size #2 or #1 work well but keep in mind that the #1 hook is a thinner wire hook and on larger sheepshead and drum, you could risk bending the hook.

This setup is also great if you are fishing in clear water or you are struggling to trigger any strikes.

Moreover, for these kinds of rigs, fluorocarbon leader is a good choice.

Fluorocarbon is a bit stiffer than monofilament leader and it tends to keep the hook straightened out and untangled.

In terms of line test, there is no need to go any higher than 20 lb leader for this rig.

Top 2 Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs

The first way to rig a fiddler crab is through the backside of the crab and out the front.

First, turn the crab over and look for the small section at the bottom of its body.

Be sure not to insert the hook any higher than this lower section because you could possibly kill the crab and eliminate the natural life to it when you cast it out.

Now, insert the hook halfway between the end of the crab and its midsection and pull through the front.

You want to make sure the crab is facing away from your jighead or weight.

This way the crab appears more natural and has more range of motion.

If you are using the single Gamakatsu hook and split-shot weight method, then you can insert the hook similarly but closer to the bottom of the crab while barely coming out through the front.

This provides a stealthier presentation on the lighter hooks.

The second way to rig fiddler crabs on hooks is to go through the side of the crab and out through the back.

If you want, you can cut off one of the small legs on the side and use that as a guide to slide the hook through and out the back.

When inserting the hook, insert the point right above a leg of the crab and then pull it out the back.

This method does leave the crab vulnerable to falling off the hook but it reduces the amount of the hook that’s in the crab.

If you want a more finesse type of presentation, then try this out next time you use fiddler crabs.

Best Ways To Rig Fiddler Crabs [VIDEO]

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Click here to check out our 11 Lures for $0.01 Special Offer

Featured Equipment:

• Berkley Vanish 17lb Fluorocarbon 
• Gremlin split-shots
• #2 Gamakatsu Octopus hook
• Bottom Sweeper Jig
• Mission Fishin’ Jig

Conclusion

Fiddler crabs are an excellent bait for targeting sheepshead in addition to redfish and black drum.

Be sure to keep in mind where you are fishing and what structure is nearby when selecting the terminal tackle for your rig setup.

Remember to try both methods of hooking the fiddler crabs to determine which way will work that given day!!

Do you have any more questions on how to rig fiddler crabs for redfish and sheepshead?

Let me know down in the comments!

And if you know someone who wants to learn more about how to rig fiddler crabs for redfish and sheepshead, please TAG or SHARE this with them!

P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!

Related Articles:

• HOW TO FIND FIDDLER CRABS IN THE WINTER (FOR SHEEPSHEAD)
• HOW TO RIG FIDDLER CRABS TO CATCH MORE SHEEPSHEAD
• TARGETING SHEEPSHEAD ON THE FLATS

The post How To Rig Fiddler Crabs For Redfish & Sheepshead appeared first on Salt Strong Fishing Club.