Where are the sheepshead?

I have been on pool 2 a number of times the last couple of weeks. The river is down to 7000+cfs and is going great guns. After weeks of catching nothing but really small walleye from the confluence up to lock and dam #1 the walleye bite has gotten much bigger. Each time out has brought 6 to 10 over 20 inches to the boat. Good sized smallies are added to the mix along with a bunch of white bass between 1 1/2 pounds and 2 pounds. Really good days on the water. We are not seeing any sheepsheads though. Usually they can be found on the riprap right below the lock but not now. Anyone have a thought on why?

If you’re looking for sheepshead, perhaps you should consider having me in the boat. I apparently have that special odor and fishing technique. Plus, I know exactly how to put the little hole in their lips that they enjoy so much.

Last weekend, on Tetonka, I attracted such a crowd of sheepies that I was thinking of adding silver posts to my tackle box, just so that one could be inserted in the hook holes on each fish. I think they’re pushing to have that done. Apparently, lip jewelry is the latest thing among the bottom feeder crowd.

Mike

Mudlinthru,
I watched a small sheeper in the Cabela’s fish tank the other day, for at least 10 minutes… it was the only sheeper in the tank. This fish bugged the crap out of every other fish in there. It would swim up and tail-bump or head-butt even the largest of the fish in the tank.
And… none of the other fish were doing this. Seemed to me that they all tryed to ignore and otherwise shuned this sheeper. I watched very closely, as this sheep went from fish to fish… very closely…. and noted that the sheeper seemed to be trying to communicate just before it would bump into the other fish…. I put my face close to the glass and rested my ear up to the glass… to my amazement… the sheeper was talking to the other fish! It would make the same “croaking” sounds that the sheepers make when you catch them in my boat…. you know, the low gutteral grunts they make while you lecture them about not hitting your lures again…well, anyway… I am listening to all this “grunting and croaking” and I swear I heard the sheeper say “seen Mike Little?” as it bumpped into a big crappie that was holding next to the glass!
You been to Cabela’s lately… I think you have a fan waiting there .
Hawger

I knew it! Did you notice the tiny ring hole in the sheeper’s lower lip? I put that there. That’s why they like me so much!

Now…. I know where all the Sheephead have gone!
See my report !
http://www.fishthelake.com/fishing_reports/index.asp?id=434
Hawger

I’m still thinking that we could open a sheepshead memorobilia museum. I’m a fan of theirs, you know.

Mike

Sorry Mudln & Hawger, I find your sheepies delightful when blackened with a the juice of half a lemon on top.

You know they are to a redfish what a sauger is to a walleye.

you (oooops… I mean ewwwwwwwwwww!!) may be a fan of sheepies… but your eating habits are attrocious… did you learn how to prepare them from watching eagles?? that pic is still making me queasy!!! (ya gotta tune into that report to see what I mean.. but take my advice.. dont eat for 24 hours prior to doing so!)

I think the one that Mudln ate was blackened…now that you mention it.

He was using those D&M “mud-packed” nightcrawlers that I bought at Walmart !!

Hawger

ps

I hate crawlers packed in black dirt ! My cap is blackened , my pants are blackened , my seats are blackened …. . I hate worms in dirt .

urbanrivers,

I have noticed the same thing on pool 2 lately. When the water was high these fish were very abundant and caught lots of them trolling or pitching for eyes. Now, I have not seen one in the past several outings now that the water levels have resided.

You’re right about 2 right now. The bite is on!!

Good luck in your sheepie pursuance!

Here is a fish that I took fishing with Jon J on Pool 4. This was on 05/02.

WOW THATS ONE BIG SHEEPIE

Frankly who cares. Just count your blessings. Being a multi-specias fisherman I frequently fish bottom with Crawlers and there is no shortage of shithead; albeit this year has been a bit better.

Best Regards and avoid the SH

They’re down the river. My cousin and I caught half a dozen 15 inchers the other day in Guttenberg.