You need a minimal amount of gear. Of course, you can always use artificial baits like Berkley Gulp shrimp, or swap out the. You can use just about any finesse hook you like best – a curled one, straight, offset – whatever. The drop shot rig for largemouth bass fishing works best with a spinning setup. #10 · Jul 26, 2012. The Perch Persuader. One of my favorite rigs for catching sheepshead is a dropper rig. I know these reels have caught a bunch of Bonitas and many big Sheepshead. The rig provides anglers with the sensitivity and lightweight feel they need to target perch at the best depth. The history of drop shotting goes back a long, long time. . Click here to join us in the Insider Club: sh. Both of these are basically a double hook drop shot rig. Good Fishing,A depth finder is important when using the spider rig so that you can drop the rigs down to the proper depth. It is simple and effective. All of these baits are usually used with Carolina rigs, drop shot rigs or jig heads. for Nov 22 delivery. SmoothLures. Up to 8 fish of legal limit taken per day per person. T. Slip bobber rig; Fixed bobber rig; Drop shot rig; Your hook size should be between size 8 and 14, and if you use a larger hook, you can thread several salmon eggs onto your trout hook. Recommended Rod Size: 6'9 ML - 7' M. How to rig a Drop-Shot step-by-step: Thread the hook. Bonus Tips for Gulp Shrimp. One of the most versatile and effective drop shot rigs is the drop shot rig. Here’s how to secure one: Begin by doubling up a piece of line. No media assets available for preview. The men all found success fishing with a drop-shot rig. Use lead weights or tungsten drop shot weights depending on your personal preference. Takes longer to tie than some of the other rigs on this list Applications: This rig is great for if you’re fishing a variety of depths or the current is changing and you want to quickly switch weights. (Shutterstock image) For years, open-water anglers have used the drop-shot rig for various applications. I've fished quite a bit for kelp bass (nearshore ocean), and we often used a rig called a 'dropper loop' rig. A drop shot rig is highly effective for catching bass during summer. Pull it through until you have approximately a foot or more tag end to make a leader. Using a 7’ -7’6” medium-fast action rod, 15 – 20 LB test line, #1 ultra-sharp hooks and split shot will allow you to detect the light bite of the sheepshead, permit the. Re: Drop shot rig #14232726 12/28/21 11:54 PM: Joined: Dec 2006. It’s even easier when fishing in current: get the rig to bottom and let the flow dance the bait. Move your rod accordingly to guide the fish away from the structure or debris in the vicinity. Sheepshead are prized by anglers for their delicious white meat and challenging behavior, making them a popular target for anglers. Jig head weight varies based on depth and current, but a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce generally fits the sheepshead zone, while you may need to go as big as 1/2 for a stronger current. With rod in one hand and net in the other, Misak reached down and nabbed a 12-pound sheepshead. Now feed tag end back through hook eye from above. First, tie a drop shot hook (size 2 to 6) to the line. Sheepshead can reach 20 pounds in size, though these fish are very rare. Rig different soft plastic baits onto each hook, providing variation in color or profile. It’s so easy to get your bait where you want it by the docks, bridges and pilings. January 01, 2020 6 min read. ”. Reviews. Targeting the trestles along the train bridge, anglers with a bottom rig will find everything from speckled trout to sheepshead tugging at the end of their line. Drop shot rigs give you more control of your rig during retrieval if paid with the right tension on your bait. 5 out of 5 stars 38. My PB: Between 8-9 lbs. Setup guide: Slide the sinker onto your main fishing line such that it is free to move. Here’s what you’ll need: Ande Monofilament Leader Line, 20# Gamakatsu Circle Hooks, 2/0; Teardrop Weight (weight will vary by conditions) This rig is made up of two loop knots, one for the weight and one for the hook. Main line to barrel swivel to 10-20lb of 4-foot fluorocarbon. The Most Effective Finesse Tactic for Catching Bass. Once you get a bite on your hook, pull on your rod in an upward direction to sink the hook into the fish. It helps me get my bait down to the bottom while giving it. (Photo courtesy of Z-Man Fishing) RIGGING. For the Carolina Rig, you want to have about 16″ of leader. Often a simple rig setup works best. . Compared to wire wrapped/tied to standard swivels, the Low-Profile. This method will help you get more keepers this season. John Eggers, a veteran charter captain and tournament angler in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, is a big believer in the “no-brainer” rig — a simple but ingenious design consisting of a ¼- to 3⁄8-ounce egg sinker tightly snugged on the. ”. So maybe, instead of 18 inches, it's going to be more about 8 inches off the bottom. Technique: With swimbaits, a quick, erratic presentation seems to work. You need a minimal amount of gear. Conclusion. but Dumas likes to use a drop-shot rig that puts his. Bobber And A Hook. The drop shot rig is very simple to tie and this video explains how to tie it in the quickest and easiest way. Learn how to tie a drop shot rig. $5. Get your hook and run the line through the eye and pull through at least a foot in length for the leader on the tag end. A great rig to catch mangrove snapper from the bridge is to use 1 or 2 split shot on a 15-20 lb. You want to drop your hook close to the structure - and using a dropper loop gives you the best chance to feel the action on your hook. #3 · Nov 28, 2021 Drop shot rig. Note: If your drop shot rod has a braid-to-fluorocarbon leader set up, you do not need to re-spool, just tie off a leader line that is 6-10-feet long. The target fish (red grouper) were big, were plentiful, and the best part, they were hungry. There are many variations and specialty tackle items for the rig, but here's how I rig it. Tie a loose overhand knot with the hook hanging from the bottom of the loop formed. You want to lift it up about 4 inches, and do a free fall drop. Tie another Palomar knot on top of this one with two or three feet of leader material so that your hook hangs at least 18 inches below the weight when finished. > If sonar reveals fish off bottom, start with a tag end around 28″. My go-to rig for catching sheepshead around structure is a dropper rig. October 4, 2021 If you want to catch more sheepshead, you got to use the right rig! There are actually a few different rigs that work well, it just depends on your. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: to. In this #shorts video, I'll show you how to tie a drop shot rig in under one minute!This rig has a perfect 90-degree angle and will give your drop shot bait. This is optional. One of the most popular ways to catch sheepshead is with a Carolina rig. It consists of a leader with a hook, and a heavy-duty barrel swivel like the SPRO Power Swivel is tied to the mainline behind a Sea Striker Braid-Friendly Sinker Slide. The rod is a 12-20# rated. Here is a crude and simple illustration I found on Pinterest to illustrate how to. Take the fluorocarbon line and cut around 3 feet of it off. Join our Insider Club today and get the best fishing spots, tips, and strategies for $12 per month. The rig you will make is a basic Carolina rig using an egg sinker and the crux of this rig, a small, size 4 “J” hook. EFFECTIVE CAROLINA RIG: Carolina-rigged baits catch bass in shallow water and tight to cover, but are most effective in deep water away form dense cover, such as points, sunken islands and along weedlines. Next, tie a dropper loop about 12-18 inches above the hook. Quote. Both work great. The Shimano Aernos or Yasei dropshot and perch spinning ranges are ideal. The step-by-step instructions for tying this simple sheepshead rig can be found here. Jetty Sheepshead Fishing Fishing for sheepshead can be a challenge and a dangerous thing. Plus, it allows me to easily switch weights if the current picks up or slows down, or if I move to fish somewhere deeper or shallower. By Pete M. $5. 1-48 of 148 results for "sheepshead fishing rig" Results. Greg Hackney: Probably the number one tip on drop shotting is be versatile with your leader length. It works well in any saltwater environment, so you can use it wherever you go. I wanted a dedicated drop shot rod that was lighter over all and went. In this article, we’re going to break down some of the most popular sheepshead rigs, their pros and cons, and when they’re best used. As a weight he uses a 1 oz. ” New Jersey’s Sheepshead History. " Smallmouths have shifted into true summer patterns on deep, main-lake structures around the Great Lakes, and drop-shot rigs comprise the most effective way to fish deep. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: ma. Simple bobber and hook rig. Shaking. You know, there are certain times when, you know, you don't want your leader over 4 inches and there are other times when you want your bait 4 feet. Back in the day, at least anyone I knew and fished with, if we were fishing live bait a popular way to rig was to attach a sinker to rest on the bottom, typically a teardrop, and use one, two or three of those store bought fish hooks with the 6" or. My rig of choice is a dropper loop about 10” to 16” above a 2-6 ounce sinker. This is one of the most popular loop rigs. . 00:00:00. This rig works awesome and will out-fish the usual rigs big time. Best Sheepshead Rig Anglers seeking sheepshead prefer a medium-stout 6 to 7-foot rod and a reel with 15 to 20 lb. Note sliding sinker above the splitshot. cylinder shape weights are good for rocky structure. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: to. drop rig. Drop shot rigs are extremely versatile, which is one of the reasons they work so well for bluegill. 10 lb 6 oz Sheepshead. Bedding panfish can’t resist a small worm or plastic presented on a drop shot rig. Then, rotate the reel to bring the fish in towards you. . Drop shot rig. STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION. $29. Tie a stop-knot to the bottom of the leader with several overhand knots. Use a sensitive rod with a. Pass the loop end of your doubled line through the eye of the hook. Tie your leader to the mainline with a double uni knot, and if using clamp on weights, put it right below the knot. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: to. "It's very efficient and very precise," he. GULF SHORES The BEST Sheepshead Fishing Rig | How to Catch More Sheepshead Kayaking_Kennedy 9. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL. 2 out of 5. The fish-finder rig is ideal for large pieces of bait because an angler can “drop back” to a biting fish, and. To rig fiddler crabs for sheepshead fishing you can use a size 1 or 1/0 J-hook with a long shank that cannot be chewed through by the sheepshead's strong teeth. weight 18 inches below them with Shrimp or fiddler crabs and you will dramatically improve the hook-up rate for Sheepshead. HAWL. VMC Spinshot Drop-Shot Hooks. Then let it hover above the weight like so. EP 182: How To Catch Sheepshead On Fake Crabs!!! 30. 1. Capt. S. Artificial crab lures have the highest success rates of any artificial lure when targeting sheepshead. Typically 6- to 10- feet is effective. The Tackle Crafters Sheepshead Rig features quad color mono leader and a #5 offset long shank hook. Yes, it sounds like a hefty piece of kit, but your line will be battling the pylons and rocks and whatever type of other line mashing structures beneath the surface. 4:02 – Bridge structure. (0) Write a review. fluorocarbon leader and a split-shot squeezed on the line about 8. A drop shot rig would be best to keep your bait close to structure, in a specific spot, or dropping straight down. October 4, 2021 If you want to catch more sheepshead, you got to use the right rig! There are actually a few different rigs that work well, it just depends on your situation and preference. The drop-shot rig is the perfect setup to use during this time. The first thing every angler must consider is safety. Split shot. If the white bass are holding in deeper waters it can be somewhat of a challenge to catch them. This prevents many hangs and, lost leaders on the rocks, but more importantly, the direct, inline hook provides an instant bite. No media assets available for preview. Finally, snap the barrel swivel onto the snap swivel and this grouper rig setup is finished. Artificial- Coco the Grab by Wesitin. . CRANKA CRAB REVIEW: UNBOXING, PRICE, AND TOP PROS & CONS; 21:09 – Best baits and rigs for putting kids on sheepshead. Simply leave a longer leader and instead of adding a drop shot weight at the bottom, tie on a shaky head instead. Use a couple feet of 8-10 lb. ” Follow the Leader. • Carolina rig with 6-7-inch leader Bait: • Fiddler or other small crabs • Barnacles • Pieces of oysters and clams • Live or dead shrimp threaded on hook • Sand fleas Tactics: • Keep line tight • Pay attention to small taps. * slip shot rig: 1/8 oz Tubular weight, 8mm glass faceted bead, Carolina Keeper, #5133 Owner down shot hook, about 24"-30" leader length and finesse floating worms. One from the hook to the weight leader. . The final step is to simply tie on your hook to the other end of the leader line, and you are ready to bait your hook! Tip: You can also buy a sheepshead rig kit there is already done here. After this, you need to make a loop with it, place the line back through the bottom of the hook. While holding the overhand knot between. Palomar Drop Shot Knot [gallery link="file" columns="3"] To rig a slip shot, simply thread a small weight (3/16 ounce or less) onto your main line. Add a weight to the bottom of the line. In my view, drop shot nymphing on a tight line rig is one of those chances. . Join our Insider Club today and get the best fishing spots, tips, and strategies for $12 per month. To achieve that suspended-bait look, there are a few key steps to tying a drop shot rig: Attach your drop shot hook to your main line via a Palomar knot. 5:46 – How to rig the weedless shrimp on a hook. 1. Live bait- Live shrimp. Sheepshead Law in Florida. For the drop shit rig, tie the hook right to a piece of 8 to 10 lb fluorocarbon using a Palomar knot and attach to the line going to your rod with a very small swivel. Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review! Click here to join the Salt Strong Insider Club. Pass the tag end through the hook eye. How to use this rig: This rig is really simple. Quick trip to try out a new rig for sheepshead. These lead weights slither trough grass and over rocks with fewer snags, he claimed. This combination paired with a light fluorocarbon or monofilament line somewhere between 6. Bass pro Joe Balog says the most important tool for successfully applying the deep drop-shot technique is a side-imaging sonar unit. Double 12 to 30 inches of line (depending on how high you want the bait off the bottom) and pass end of loop through eye of hook. This fish earned its name from its impressive set of teeth. It’s the simplest rig for sheepshead (and many other species), but it’s very effecti. I am a great believer in the newer Penns. This is for smaller species. Sheepshead are powerful and love to fight on their side and use currents to their advantage with their wide bodies grabbing a lot of water, making a six-pound fish feel like they are 12 pounds. Turn Used Gulps Into Bait Catching Machines. Pat Ford. Once that’s done, you put on a sinker, usually anywhere. The Jail Bait Rig is a hybrid artificial bait that works as a jighead to present live baits like fiddler crabs and shrimp to sheepshead. Anderson / July 19, 2021. Tie your braided mainline to your. The drop shot rig is a great trout fishing rig when you want to catch trout right up from the bottom. A quick look at a simple rig for dropshotting using a size 6 VMC drop shot hook, 10lb drennan supplex fluorocarbon line. What: Dropper loop rig has loop branches stemming from a length of line and a bottom loop with a weight. Drop Shot Rigs for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. ” Deep dropping. The 7 best rigs for fishing from jetties are: Jig rig. I use a drop shot when I want to fish the bottom but keep my hook from the structure and cover such as weeds and rocks on the bottom of the pond or lake. Recommended Line Size: 6 - 8 lbs. Seven-pound, 8-pound, 10-pound, it's just a little too wirey and the bait doesn't get to flow as freely as it should. It involves tying a hook to the end of a line, adding weight above the hook, and casting the rig into the water. On 6/30/2013 at 2:34 PM, Fishing Rhino said: Multi bait drop shot rigs are old history. To add even more sound to the rig, Gallo will add three glass beads between the hook and sinker. The Carolina rig is also known as the sliding sinker rig because it consists of an egg sinker that can slide up and down the line. Dragging requires actually casting the rig and if the distance from the hook to the bait is too great, it can be a pain to cast. With zero stretch it allows the angler to easily impart the movement on the lure and youll feel the often subtle perch bites more readily. I like to use a bronze or black 1/0 Kahle hook, with a 1/2" diameter "fuzz ball" (from the craft section) soaked in shrimp juice. Drop shotting was originally developed for vertical fishing in deep water, but it has since been adapted to casting tactics in shallow water, and performs equally well in both scenarios. Attach a circle hook or your preferred catfish hook to the dropper loop. 7ft medium heavy rod, 4000 Penn Battle 30 lb Braid main line, 2oz egg weight, 30 - 40 lb swivel, 30 lb leader 18" and one of the hooks listed above. Traditional Dropper Rig. I don't use heavy spinning tackle very often. However, the vertical presentation and subtlety required in detecting bites seems more akin to drop shotting, a finesse technique employed by freshwater bass fishermen. Drop shot rigs are ideal at any depth but great for fishing deeper. Pull on both standing line and tag end to tighten down the knot onto eye of hook. Jig rig. You don’t need to have a boat or to pay for a charter or head boat ride to catch them. Their mouths are structured in such a way that they require small hooks and short rigs. For example, Missile Baits’ 3-inch Drop Craw features flopping claws that move with the slightest rod twitch. 79 - $5. What was originally a rig designed for bass fishing, the drop shot rig is now a solid choice when it comes to catching perch. Red Bead, Size 5 Sinker Slide, 3 Oz. Spec rigs will work too of course but not for deeper water and they are harder to keep vertical. For black drum, a fish finder rig with a 2-3 ounce weight is recommended. Parsons and Jason. Everything you need to know about yo. “Twitch” or drop shot baits are made of the same material as plastic baits but require different rigging. Where to find them- around bridge pilings. “Unlike the typical Carolina rig. , 8 MM Dia. We’ll also cover the saltwater rigging basics that you need in order to use these setups. To create a proper drop shot rig, begin by tying a Palomar knot to the end of the main line. fluorocarbon leader and a split-shot squeezed on the line about 8 inches above the bait. Frozen- Shrimp on a bottom rig. The minnow-and-brush-jig rig is perfect for fishing live bait in thick cover. No matter which fishing rig you choose, you need to cast very gently in order to avoid ripping the eggs off the hook during the casting process. Put one loop over the other, the hook through the first loop and pull. So I don't believe in anything less than 8 inches. Where to find them- Deep holes, around docks or bridges. Big male fiddler crab is the ideal sheepshead bait. . Favorite Lake or River Carter Lake, Iowa. It’s more action than a drop-shot rig and highly effective whether you’re fishing fast or slow. Pair the Punch Shot rig with any weight that features a thru-hole (such as a worm weight or flipping weight), as well as virtually any soft plastic. You do not want to submerge them in water, however, as they will drown. How To Tie A Dropper Rig For Sheepshead With A "T-Knot" (Step By Step) Watch on Click here to join the Salt Strong Insider Club Here’s how to tie the dropper rig step by step: Step 1: Form a loop about. Some people like to use Texas rigged shrimp or a drop shot rig for Sheepshead. At the bottom of the tag end tie a quick snap. 49. This is the last video you ever need to watch on how to drop shot fish for bass. The biggest key is you must have your hook point facing up when you pull your line tight. The location of where you drop this rig is very important to catch the targeted species. Begin by tying a Palomar Knot with a long tag end. Tackle Crafters Sheepshead Rig. The Punch Shot Rig iseffective for catching largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as other fish. 1. Step 2: Pinch the line about 2/3 of the way to the end of the loop. I don't "dropshot" (Crappie or Bass) so I'd probably buy TTI Blakemore's Stand-out Hook in a #4 or #2 size (depending on size of bait I intended to use). Finally, tie your weight onto the dropper loop using another Palomar knot. Drop Shot Rig Image Source. So a six-pound line works really well for drop shot. Black drum. 30 pound braided main line; 25-30 pound monofilament leader lineTackle, Gear and Rigs for Sheepshead. He resorts to the drop shot when the fish are in the cedars because it allows him to keep his. This length depends on how far off the bottom you’d like to fish. This is when Lamarque puts aside the drop-shot rig and grabs a popping cork. A major advantage to the drop shot rig is the degree of control over the depth of your lure – regardless of the pace that you fish it. The drop shot rig is one of the most popular f. 3287 posts · Joined 2010. Belly-to-bottom walleye typically require a 4-7″ tag. Just that defeats the purpose of a drop shot. Number 1 baited jig/jighead, 2 knocker rig, 3 fishfinder rig, 4 dropper loop rig, 5 float rig, or #6 a drop shot rig. Sheepshead love to feed on crustaceans, such as Fiddler Crabs, Mud Crabs, Sand Fleas, Live Shrimp, Oysters, Clam, Mussels and Barnacles. Perform similar rigging for fresh dead shrimp. Best Rigs For Sheepshead. A favorite bait for catching flounder and specks, cocahoe minnows do very well when placed on a drop shot rig in a moving tide. Notify of. There is a new plastic out there designed for a drop shot called the Berkley Maxscent Flatworm but they are very hard to find right now. I thought about a drop shot rig with a 2 octopus hook. Jigged vertically. 🐟 Fishing the drop-shot for bass is typical but it also works for panfish like your bluegill, redear sunfish. The bait for this rig is live shrimp hooked in the tail. It helps me get my bait down to the bottom while giving it some slack to act naturally. com : Punch Shot Rig Kit (4/0 EWG Hooks) [Interchangeable Hook Leadered Punchshot Rig] (10 Pack) - Tokyo Style Punch Shot Rig/Jig for Bass Fishing :. The step-by-step instructions for tying this simple sheepshead rig can be found here. From what I can see, the only difference is that in the dropper loop rig, the hook is on an extension from the line about 4-6 inches as opposed to being right snug against the main vertical line. The best lure for. The drop shot knot rig is a popular and effective technique anglers use to present the bait or lure suspended, allowing for precise control and enticing fish in various conditions. SHEEPSHEAD FISHING TIPS (BEST LURES, RIGS, & MISTAKES TO AVOID) SPLIT SHOT RIG: SIMPLE, EASY & QUICK RIG FOR SHEEPSHEAD; Related categories: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Sheepshead, Weekly Newsletter: 1-10-21; Subscribe. Check out for more informat. Pull hook through the loop made by the overhand knot. 12:12 – The best types of spots to catch sheepshead. The second hook should go 12-18 inches above the first. Step 5: Tie a loop on the tag end for the weight. Bottom fishing inshore. Pass the hook through the loop in. Fish finder rig. Add a weight to the bottom of the line. Use a couple feet of 8-10 lb. T. Trout have pretty small mouths so a size 8 hook is ideal. When a sheepshead is holding over a deeper structure, you may not feel comfortable dropping right into their fortress. Recommended Reel Size: 30. You want to fish docks, pilings, rock walls, seawalls, or bridges with deeper water. Fluoro protects better against line scuffs from wood and weeds, yet the supple yielding. This style of finesse fishing calls for using 6- to 7-pound-test fluorocarbon line and tying on a size 2, 1 or 1/0 Gamakatsu drop-shot hook with a Palomar knot, leaving a 14- to 20-inch-long tag line below the hook. 23:36 – Using fiddler crabs and sand fleas for sheepshead. This allows you to drop your weight to the bottom and move your lure/bait above the bottom. PUBLISHED 16 AUGUST 2023 by Robert Ceran Are you planning to throw a drop shot rig, but aren’t sure how to set it up, or how to fish it for optimal results? While. Carolina rig. Believe it or not, sheepshead can actually bite through the light wire hooks sometimes used for inshore trout fishing. You need a lightweight Rod, 6 to 8 feet in length with a casting weight of around 7-28 grams. Location Kansas City, KS. Tie on a number one octopus hook half way down. A lot of anglers don’t think about a drop-shot rig when the water’s cold. Braid as a mainline and a mono dropper make this even easier. The author enjoys catching and also releasing summer smallmouth bass. Get rid of the dink catching drop shot rig. He subsequently partnered. A smaller swivel is more stealthy, but when you’re fishing for big game, having a strong swivel is even more important. The drop-shot rig is one of the most efficient. Sheepshead love to feed on crustaceans, such as Fiddler Crabs, Mud Crabs, Sand Fleas, Live Shrimp, Oysters, Clam, Mussels and Barnacles All of these baits are usually used with Carolina rigs, drop shot rigs or jig heads. Best Sheepshead Rig Anglers seeking sheepshead prefer a medium-stout 6 to 7-foot rod and a reel with 15 to 20 lb. Also, when a fish strikes, it doesn't pull your weight only. Where to find them- around bridge pilings. Renting a boat this weekend and one of the newer species to me I’d like to go for are sheepshead and try out our luck on some bridges at some point…The knot you use to tie this rig is pretty much just a Palomar Knot with a long tag end. Saltwater flies, scent strips, and other artificial lures can also work. Quick trip to try out a new rig for sheepshead. The best three areas many bass anglers will fish the rig is grass lines, punching grass mats, and flipping around docks. Quick trip to try out a new rig for sheepshead. This prevents many hangs and, lost leaders on the rocks, but more importantly, the direct, inline hook provides an instant bite. After feeling tons of small nibbles from baitfish and seeing lots of pinfish follow the Gulp shrimp up to the boat while fishing with them, I began cutting up old ones into small pieces for catching pinfish for bait… small Gulp chunks work amazingly well for pinfish. $5. All you need is a sturdy rod and reel, some 40-pound braid on the reel and a top shot of 40-pound fluorocarbon for your leader. For better action, hook the swimbait just through the "nose" with a jig head, leaving most of the swimbait free to flex and bend. Best Lures for Sheepshead. They were used for catching mackerel for food, or as bait for stripers.