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As like most of here probably, since I picked up my first kayak about 3 years ago I've been exploring all the new fishing opportunities presented to me while learning, and re-learning, some local fisheries I otherwise couldn't access being primarily a shore based angler. One of my fishing related goals I had set for myself last year was to try for my first sheepshead. I was living outside Chincoteague at the time so I made a few trips to the CBBT, as everyone knows they hang there, but just couldn't get find one. I also tried the pilings of the multiple bridges along the Chincoteague causeway. Surprisingly, many of my local friends that grew up there fishing had no info on catching sheepies around Chincoteague other than a few caught by accident here and there over the years. It could just be a product of nobody trying for them though. Anyway, I tired several times and came up blank there too.
Last year I moved up to the Ocean City area and knew from reading the Coastal fisherman every week that some sheepshead will show up in the inlet late summer into early October. I figured this might be my best shot at them since I live 10 minutes away now and know they are caught there. I've been trying on and off for the last 4 weeks or so exploring the inlet jetties, pilings, and docks on the quest for the first sheepshead. Along the way I've found some spots I will definitely be returning to this fall for tog, added a handful of triggerfish as a new species caught for me, caught some species I wasn't expecting to catch dropping sand fleas next to pilings like stripers and reds, found croakers are annoying at times but not as annoying as black Will's, and the inlet is very doable in a kayak if you plan properly. I was also pleasantly surprised to find my cheap homemade wreck anchors actually holds and comes back!
Well, Friday night it finally happened! I was out working my way along the south jetty not doing much of anything... a couple little bumps here and there but nothing special... felt like black Will's pestering me again. Then I got a small little tap that felt just a little different. I set the hook and instantly know its no black Will, or triggerfish or undersized tog for that matter, as this thing has serious pull! I had my drag ratcheted down pretty tight already but it was taking drag right from the start as it tried to get back down into the jetty. I finally got it up close enough to the surface to see if was a sheepie and let out a yell of excitement before it made several more runs back towards the bottom. I eventually land it with the biggest smile on my face! Mission accomplished I thought to myself!
That first fish you catch when you've challenged yourself to learn how to catch it, put in the time, and continue to pursue it when your not having any luck while all along second guessing yourself if you're in the right spot, if it's the right tide, etc. feels so rewarding! Can't wait to get back out there and try for another...
Went 21"
P1020520.jpgP1020522.jpg
I've been catching plenty of short tog between 13"-15" and a few triggers too. Not what I was after but still fun to catch. Hoping some bigger tog move into some of spots I found later this fall!
P1020435.jpgP1020439.jpgP1020478.jpgP1020479.jpgP1020486.jpg
Last year I moved up to the Ocean City area and knew from reading the Coastal fisherman every week that some sheepshead will show up in the inlet late summer into early October. I figured this might be my best shot at them since I live 10 minutes away now and know they are caught there. I've been trying on and off for the last 4 weeks or so exploring the inlet jetties, pilings, and docks on the quest for the first sheepshead. Along the way I've found some spots I will definitely be returning to this fall for tog, added a handful of triggerfish as a new species caught for me, caught some species I wasn't expecting to catch dropping sand fleas next to pilings like stripers and reds, found croakers are annoying at times but not as annoying as black Will's, and the inlet is very doable in a kayak if you plan properly. I was also pleasantly surprised to find my cheap homemade wreck anchors actually holds and comes back!
Well, Friday night it finally happened! I was out working my way along the south jetty not doing much of anything... a couple little bumps here and there but nothing special... felt like black Will's pestering me again. Then I got a small little tap that felt just a little different. I set the hook and instantly know its no black Will, or triggerfish or undersized tog for that matter, as this thing has serious pull! I had my drag ratcheted down pretty tight already but it was taking drag right from the start as it tried to get back down into the jetty. I finally got it up close enough to the surface to see if was a sheepie and let out a yell of excitement before it made several more runs back towards the bottom. I eventually land it with the biggest smile on my face! Mission accomplished I thought to myself!
That first fish you catch when you've challenged yourself to learn how to catch it, put in the time, and continue to pursue it when your not having any luck while all along second guessing yourself if you're in the right spot, if it's the right tide, etc. feels so rewarding! Can't wait to get back out there and try for another...
Went 21"
P1020520.jpgP1020522.jpg
I've been catching plenty of short tog between 13"-15" and a few triggers too. Not what I was after but still fun to catch. Hoping some bigger tog move into some of spots I found later this fall!
P1020435.jpgP1020439.jpgP1020478.jpgP1020479.jpgP1020486.jpg
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