panfisher

I never tried the Fenwick jigging sticks. But I have had Fenwick spinning rods and they do do a nice job...for the prices, they should!

Kevin.....In your pursuit of smallies in deep water with crabs, have u ever tried nightcrawlers.....? Used to use them with great success and the smallies were in competition with eels to get them!

A Garcia Mitchell reel. With those Planomatic gears!.....What a 300.....or a bigger 302? Love the way those 300's felt and sounded when reeling in.

zim298.....No relation. As you said, freshwater sheepshead, aka freshwater drum or (I love it) gaspergoo, is a direct cousin of the famed redfish (red drum). Also related to seatrout (aka speckled trout [not brook trout], or squeteage or weakfish), black drum, and about 250+ other species of good eating and sport fish on both coasts and worldwide. That Atlantic Ocean saltwater sheepshead is in a different unrelated family. It has another favorite family member, porgie (scup). Hey....check out this link about saltwater sheepsheads..... The sheepshead fish has human teeth, but it's okay because ..

Steelman......We hear this story right here in LOU annually. People have always stolen stuff. It is a part of human nature for many people, regardless of their lot in life. Some people are just light fingered, and others feel they need to be, at one time or another. Some folks just seem to want to "try it"....stealing something. It is a thing that many people attempt and get away with (or not) in their childhood days. Or for the first time as adults. Not everybody, but enough that it can always be a problem. I have been ripped off for valuable fishing and other equipment. Until it happens to you, and unless nobody you have ever known has told you about it, it may never cross your mind that anyone would steal something from you. And, for some like myself, having learned as a child that others can and might steal from you, even the most unsuspecting acquaintances or associates or even friends, I have chosen to cast caution to the wind. Living in an area where I assumed it wouldn't happen, even with experience, I have fallen victim to light-handedness and been ripped. The key word here is value.....valuable or valued, cheap or expensive. If you value it, somebody else will want it too. So keep your stuff secure in one or many ways. There are lots of great suggestions to help with that mentioned here. It sucks. But don't fall into the thinking (easy to do) that it's these types or those types that probably did it. I know that even the most upstanding looking or acting types can stoop to stealing. Let the authorities do their job (hopefully they are not "on the take"), keep your eyes and ears alert to some degree, and be glad that something worse was not taken, as you have said. And watch your stuff. I know, it sucks to have to always think about that, but it's sort of like eating.....if you have something, you can bet someone (or thing) will want it. And don't get "frumpped out" and negative towards everybody.....replace your stuff the best you can. Enjoy life and friends. Get out there and fish on!

Yo....zim298.....sheepies are easy to catch, at least for now. They are a native fish that live in lakes and streams throughout the eastern half of North America down into Central America south of Mexico. Just fish as if you are trying to catch bass, walleye or anything else. Starting in around June or so (at least here in the northeast) they begin to chow on crabs and minnows and such. Before that, they supposedly eat......FLIES! Yes, all kinds of flies. I don't know...I read this in Wikipedia (just punch in sheepshead or freshwater drum for details). Most people run into them while looking for other fish. This seems to be a strong year for them in this region of their range. With new found popularity and respect, or just natural non-human influences (they are a hardy breed, but not a lot of folks fish for them exclusively), they may play hard to get in the near future. Who knows....?

Wow.......we may have to petition DEC to look into daily limits of these babys now. It is finally getting its due respect and recognition! And yes, they do range natively into those troubled Central American countries (kids and families leaving because of gangs of idiots). GO GO GASPERGOO! Sheepsheads Unlimited!!

Just like to say....I don't chase after the 'eyes like you guys do; I'm not a guide or charter captain. But I have definitely learned a lot from all on this thread. When I do target them, I've got now some great insight and guidance on how and why to approach new and different waters. Good stuff.....

tonyb.....U said unofficial provincial record on that big sheepie. Any true submission for it....? Anything come of it? Or just in typical sheepshead fashion....just let him go and go about the daily grind of life.... They just sort of look that way! But they do put up a fight and....NEWS FLASH......they are good on the table too!! pasted from a post from.... EsoxAC3 Panfisher, I tried sheepshead for the first time 2 years ago. I had read up on them and to your earlier point are closely related to fish that make excellent table fare.... Long story short, the meat is delicious. I have fried with egg wash and dipped in italian bread crumbs and parmesan cheese - very good. Also, cooked on grill in aluminum foil with butter, salt, pepper, capers, dill, and dry white wine- excellent. Highly recommend this overlooked fish for both fight and table fare. Attached is a pic of a 16# sheepshead I brought in on my perch rod. What a fight! Good luck. Tight lines.