Captain’s Corner: Brent Gaskill

The Tampa Bay Times

Capt. Brent Gaskill
 
 
 

        Sheepshead are considered a winter species in the Tampa Bay area.  They are present year round, but during the cooler months they begin to congregate together and migrate towards the open passes to the gulf to spawn in the early spring.  These concentrations of fish are what make them easier to target.  Now is the time that I begin to look for calmer days between cold fronts to venture out into the open parts of the bay in search of sheepshead. They prefer high relief structure such as artificial reefs or the rocky limestone outcroppings along the edge of the shipping channel.  Anchoring is key when bottom fishing these structures so the bait is presented right to the fish.  Sheepshead can be enticed with chum, which can help bring them right to your offering.  The number one bait for sheepshead is fiddler crabs, followed by shrimp, which is typically easier to find.  The list is rounded out with oysters and barnacles.  I use small live shrimp on a knocker-rig with a short stout hook.  If the shrimp are larger I cut them in half.