Sheepshead

[devoknevo]

Nice job 'freak! I

I think we may have thrown back a few state record fish! We should start weighing all of them and get our name in the book!!!!

C Ya!

dE |/:0

[JOE ESOX]

Holy crap that first one is huge! They are an underrated fish imo. Nice job

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[pikefreak]

Devo, that would be awesome!!

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[pikefreak]

Joe, I thought I had a salmon or big pike on! 18.9lbs!!

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[zimm298]

Ok, so let me ask this. I've eaten puppy drum (redfish) which is a salt water fish. What's the deal with the freshwater drum? Is it an edible fish, or just like a carp?

[Dominic100#]

They are great for chowder... Catch a bunch of them in hay bay

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[rw6788]

Excellent to smoke.

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[pikefreak]

If they are good I might try one.

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[zadvorney]

My son and I caught a nice small one.  Maybe 18".  Filleted it and cooked it up with perch and walleyes.  Taste is similar and the texture is more firm.  We will do it again but throw back the big ones as I've yet to taste a huge fish that wasn't a bit strong.  The chowder idea is perfect and I'm glad you mentioned it.   

[pikefreak]

Ok I'll keep a smaller one that I get next time and see how it goes.

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[plecos4sale]

Never ate one but many people say they are good.

[Chas0218]

Are they bottom feeders like carp?  I mean I have never caught a carp on a stick bait while trolling but have caught a ton of sheephead. I would assume they eat other bait fish if they are slamming lures.

[pikefreak]

I've been told they are a fresh water drum. I'm guessing they aren't if they are so aggressive on the stick baits. All are suspended in deeper water.

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[FishingSkrip27]

I've caught them in the lake and they were growing something off the side of them.....awesome fish to catch. But i would never eat one out of the lake or bay. catch and release...eat walleye. ha

[devoknevo]

If Sheepshead were good to eat there would probably be a market for them. Like a McSheep sandwich.

Edited June 3, 2014 by devoknevo

[justtracytrolling]

Are they bottom feeders like carp?  I mean I have never caught a carp on a stick bait while trolling but have caught a ton of sheephead. I would assume they eat other bait fish if they are slamming lures.

Carp arent bottom feeders only! I caught a monster carp trolling eyes/tigers 30 down over 60fow on a tdd11 and the entire bait was engulfed...both trebles! Best fight ive ever had by far, and that includes a 40lb striper and some tigers over 20lbs. I cant find the pic, but I posted it in the walleye forum last august.

Great catch pikefreak!! Noticed in the pic you fish from a pontoon also...mine is now custom for trolling in the stern and set up to cast on the bow.

[JOE ESOX]

Yes they are freshwater drum. Opportunistic feeders- i have caught them bottom fishing with crayfish/worms and also trolling spoons out in the lake. I know they also feed on zebra mussels (i have seen the shells hanging out of their @$$). Think i will pass on eating one... Haha

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[pikefreak]

I've heard they have a pearl inside their forehead, any one have info on that?

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[jcar585]

I agree with justtracytrolling. Just caught this one on a white fluke with a 1 ounce jighead. I assume she was feeding on some of the sawbellies which are all over the place. Fight was the best ever. Nice sheephead , never caught one.

[devoknevo]

I've heard they have a pearl inside their forehead, any one have info on that?

Yes, pearl in forehead.

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[Traveling Circus]

I've heard them referred to as "lucky stones"..... behind their eyes....... not too lucky for them when they're removed.

[ontherise]

That looks like a carp

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[momay4000]

Jcar - you are holding up a carp

[jcar585]

Yeah it's a carp. It's was funny how big it was

[jcar585]

I didn't mean to say that I thought it was a sheepshead. Just read my post and it was a little confusing. Just had to agree with justin that they are not bottom feeders and the fight is crazy