OC Inlet Payday

[Slobber Bob]

This morning marked a pinnacle point in my very limited sheepshead fishing career. I've posted before about my desire to catch more of these strong fighting fish without having to go to the CBBT. I've also posted about my lack of success, so I won't bore you with the details of all the unsuccessful trips since my last reports - and there's been a few.

Today was a different story though. Things seemed to just fall in place. The night before my work schedule opened up allowing me to take a few hours off in the morning, tide was right for getting out to where I wanted, boat traffic was light, and the weather was hard to beat. So I dug some fleas and headed out for quick morning trip. First drop I hit a 27" striper in the head. The next couple drops resulted in a few more low 20" stripers.

Then it finally happened... a good solid hook-up with a fish that wanted to fight up and down, unlike the everywhere runs of the striper, and a few minutes later Mr. Sheepshead was in my lap (18"). I was thrilled to get one and satisfied no matter what happened the rest of the morning. But to my excitement it was just the start as the sheep were out to graze! I end up pulling 5 more up before I had to leave for work! Fish went 17" - 21"; released all but one for dinner.

From famine to feast in one trip. Likely all just luck though!

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[DanMarino]

Those awesome teeth!!!!

[YaknBass]

Congrats on a great day in your yak!! timing is everything Bro and you were ''ON TIME"" hope you get to do it again & again!!

[Shady]

That's awesome! Persistence paid off. That's last one looks beast

[Salty Dog]

Sweet, what was the water like, temp, chop?

[Mbae]

awesome!! congrats on your catch! i have yet to catch one myself.. were you fishing incoming or outgoing?

[tufnik]

Yeah, you really got a feast on some nice looking fish. Congrats!

[Slobber Bob]

Thanks all! It sure felt good to get into them. I was getting tired of croakers and wills.

Congrats on a great day in your yak!! timing is everything Bro and you were ''ON TIME"" hope you get to do it again & again!!

Don't we all wish that every time we go!

Sweet, what was the water like, temp, chop?

I'm not sure on the water temp - no electronics on board. There was a good swell coming over the jetty and around the tip on incoming; not bad inside though. So-so clear water, maybe 2-4 visibility at the start and 1-2 by the time I left.

[buzz]

Congratulations Bob!
Awesome catch. Are sand fleas the usual bait for them?

And, how did it taste?

[RavensDfense]

At least you were kind enough not to include these pics along with your texts this morning. Awesome job, man.

[J.A. Veil]

Nice job Bob.

[gliebig]

I'm scared to yak through that inlet. I guess tide timing is important.?

[Mbae]

I'm scared to yak through that inlet. I guess tide timing is important.?

i feel the same way...
i once saw a standup paddlerboarder trying to paddle back in against an outgoing tide and he wasnt moving at all... luckily a boat saw him struggling and helped him out

[RavensDfense]

The inlet is relatively easy to fish. If you get in the middle, yes, there is a lot of current, but that is not where you would fish anyway. Stick to the North side of the South Jetty and you'll be OK. We fish an incoming tide regardless of the current. Because the Jetty hooks around to the north at the tip, the current inside the hook isn't bad in my limited experience there. The most sketchy thing you'll encounter is the large wake thrown by the charter boats. You just need to be prepared to turn the bow of your yak into it and you'll be fine.

[Slobber Bob]

The most sketchy thing you'll encounter is the large wake thrown by the charter boats. You just need to be prepared to turn the bow of your yak into it and you'll be fine.

Definitely give yourself some cushion around the rocks. Mid-summer evenings when the offshore boats are piling back in is the worst time. Easy 4 footers coming at you sometimes. If your too close to the rocks ,or you get caught off guard, you can get in a pinch really quick.