SHEEPSHEAD & SPANISH MACKEREL
Presented by Tom Putnam [email protected]
Hosted by Bob Fowler [email protected] (850) 708-1317
marinemax.com treasureislandmarina.net halfhitch.com 1 SHEEPSHEAD Family Sparidae, PORGIES, Archosargus probatocephalus
Description: basic silvery color; with 5 or 6 distinct vertical black bands on sides, not always the same on both sides; prominent teeth, including incisors, molars, and rounded grinders; no barbels on lower jaw; strong and sharp spines on dorsal and anal fins.
Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis; Atlantic spadefish, Chaetodipterus (black drum have barbels on lower jaw, sheepshead do not; vertical barring on sides of black drum and spadefish disappear as fish mature; spadefish have small, brush-like teeth).
Where found: INSHORE species around oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks; moves NEARSHORE in late winter and early spring for spawning, gathering over debris, artificial reefs and around navigation markers.
Size: INSHORE, 1 to 2 pounds; OFFSHORE, common to 8 pounds.
Florida Record: 12 lbs., 2 ozs. World Record:
Remarks: feeds on mollusks and crustaceans such as fiddler crabs and barnacles; famed nibblers, prompting the saying that "anglers must strike just before they bite."
2 SPANISH MACKEREL
Family Scombridae, MACKERELS & TUNAS, Scomberomorous maculatus
Description: color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail.
Similar Fish: cero, S. regalis; king mackerel, S. cavalla.
Where found: INSHORE, NEARSHORE and OFFSHORE, especially over grass beds and reefs; absent from north Florida waters in winter.
Size: average catch less than 2 pounds (20 inches).
Florida Record: 12 lbs. World Record: 13 lbs. 1995 Ft. Pierce, FL
Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.
3
REDFISH
Family: Sciaenidae, DRUMS, Sciaenops ocellatus
Description: chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and opening downward; scales large. Similar Fish: black drum, Pogonias cromis. Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating out of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population OFFSHORE. Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 oz. World Record: 94 lbs., 2 oz. 1984 Avon, NC
Remarks: red drum are an INSHORE species until they attain roughly 30 inches (4 years), then they migrate to join the NEARSHORE population; spawning occurs from August to November in NEARSHORE waters; sudden cold snaps may kill red drum in shallow, INSHORE waters; feeds on crustaceans, fish and mollusks; longevity to 20 years or more.
4 BLACK DRUM
Family: Pogonias cromis
Description: high arched back, 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels, gray or black colored body in adults with the young have 4 to 6 vertical black bars, cobblestone-like teeth are capable of crushing oysters, large scales.
Similar Fish: Sheepshead Sparidae, Porgies, Archosargus probatocephalus
Where found: Black drum are an inshore fish common to bays and lagoons. They are bottom dwellers and often found around oyster beds. Black drum may also be found offshore
Size: Small fish, under a pound in weight, are sometimes called "butterfly drum" while those of larger size, 30 pounds and more, are called "bull drum", although the large specimens can be either male or female.
Florida Record: 96 lbs, caught near Fernandina Beach.
Remarks: The largest member of the drum family, black drum spawn nearshore in the winter and early spring. They feed on oysters, mussels, crabs, shrimp and occasionally fish. Black drum may live to 35 or more years.
5 CHART #11390
6 ROD ACTION
• Light tip rods are more sensitive but lack backbone for pulling fish off their wreck • Long slow action rods are called picking poles • Easy to feel bite but very poor leverage • Stand up vs. picking Pole
7 SPINNING vs. CONVENTIONAL
Best for casting Best leverage Poor leverage, limited drag Best drag, poor casting
8 SUPER BRAID vs. MONO
Braid Mono •Zero Stretch •Reasonable priced •Small Diameter •Able to stretch •No memory •Multiple colors •Can not color, coat • Has memory only not able to die •Pricey •Very durable
9 HIVIS, CLEAR, COLORED MONO
• If using Hi Vis use long mono leaders • Mono is a light transmitter similar to fiber optics • Use a variegated mono to reduce light transmittal
10 POWER PRO
• Low stretch helps with hook set • Keep fish from getting in the bottom • Small diameter increased line capacity • Less water drag • High abrasion
11 POWER PRO
• Knots with only 2 or 3 twist do not work well with braids – most knots with 6 or more twist will work – best knots palomar – Uni – Bimini twist • When using Super Braid’s
most knives and wire Palomar Knot cutters will not work – scissors, preferable braid scissors work best. • Visit powerpro.com for knot tying directions.
12 UNI to UNI KNOT
13 LANDING NETS
• Tangle free nets allow you to net a fish with lure. The lure will not get tangled in netting.
• Rubber nets are great to release fish. Doesn’t have the rough knotting that would damage the fish and remove it’s protective slime.
14 FLUOROCARBON
• Great Leader – High abrasion resistance – Stiffer – Larger Diameter – Same density as water – Carbon fleck stops light transmittal – Has UV inhibitors – last longer in sun – Very slick, passes through guides easily
15 BAIT
Shrimp – all fish love
LY’s – great bait hard to keep alive
Pinfish (Choffer) – hardy good bait
Finger Mullet – hardy good bait
Fiddler Crabs – great for Sheepshead
16 Lure Color
• Match the bait & water color • Clear water: light color bottoms to lures with darker tops • Dark Water: Gold & darker bottoms & colors • Red to indicate injured or hurt fish
17 Gulp • Best saltwater plastic bait ever made. Although not a true plastic. Available in all popular shapes & sizes. • Biodegradable • Leeches out scent as used, and when placed back in the container the bait will absorb the scent to regenerate the bait.
18 FLOATS
Acts as a strike detector & also can be use to stimulate fish popin top of water when feeding.
19 BUBBLE RIG
20 FISH FINDER RIG For Sheephead and Black Drum
Fiddler Crab Shrimp 21 GRUBS
Work slow, with short poppin motion: Great fishing ledges & holes.
22 CASTING SPOONS & PLUGS
Works great fishing on flats. Use gold spoons in tannic (brown) water & silver in clear water.
23 HOOKS & LEADS
• Circle hooks work best for live baits. Remember with circle hooks, don’t jerk, just reel. 90° • To be a legal circle hook, the hook point must be 90 ------degrees to the hook shank.
24 DIURNAL TIDES www.saltwatertides.com Because of East/West shore line & the effect of our Bay – we only have 2 tides daily. • 1 high • 1 low
25 DRIFT ANCHORS
When drift fishing use a drift anchor to slow down the effect of wind Will also pull in tide direction
26 POLLING
• When fishing shallow water, Pole instead of motoring to avoid damage to sea grass • You can be fined for destroying grass beds
27 TROLLING MOTOR FISHING
Using a trolling motor to easily move up or down the current & to where you spot fish
28 WADE FISHING • Preferred by most good anglers fishing shallow water. • Easy to approach fish or schools without spooking them • Use 8’-81/2’ Rod to pick bait up high to get greater casting distance
29 PILING FISHING-SHEEPSHEAD
• Sheepshead hang around pilings eating crustaceans • Great structure fish
30 GRASS BEDS
• Now protected by law • Shallow water is marked with signs • When fishing shallow water, Pole instead of motoring to avoid damage to sea grass • You can be fined for destroying grass beds
31 POPULAR KNOTS
Loop to Loop
32 KNOTS
33 FUTURE CLASSES
• March 9th – Fishing for Cobia • April 13th – Bay Fishing for Redfish & Trout • May 11th – Red Snapper & Bottom Fishing • June 8th – Offshore Trolling for Wahoo, Dolphin & Tuna • July 13th – Kayak Fishing, Scalloping & Water Activities • August 10th – Surf Fishing • September 14th – King Mackerel • October 12th – Flounder & Fall Bay Fishing • November 9th – Hands on Rigging
34 MEETINGS
Next Two Meetings Schedule • April 15 - 18, 2013 Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Marriott Courtyard Management Council Meeting 1600 E. Beach Blvd. Schedule Gulfport, MS 39501 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 • June 17 - 21, 2013 Tampa, Florida 33607 USA Crowne Plaza Toll Free: 888-833-1844 Email: [email protected] 200 E. Gregory Street gulfcouncil.org Pensacola, FL 32501
35 MEETINGS
Florida Fish and Wildlife Next Meeting: Conservation Commission February 13 - 14, 2013 Farris Bryant Building SeaWorld Park 620 S. Meridian St. 7007 SeaWorld Drive Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 Orlando, FL 32821 (850) 488-4676
Saltwater Regulations myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/
36 FISH REGULATIONS AP Visit http://www.gulfcouncil.org/ And install the Fishing Regulations App for either IPhone or Android. • fishing regulations • fish identification • measurement guidelines • sanctuaries & closures You can also visit the play store and search for GFC regulations 37 FACEBOOK
38 FISHING NEWLSETTER
Visit www.halfhitch.com & sign up for our Newsletter.
By registering your email you will stay informed about what's going on in the fishing industry and receive notification of special buys, seminars and tournament information.
Email Address: ______
halfhitch.com
39 HOW TO MEASURE
• Fish regulated by fork length are measured from the tip of the jaw or tip of the snout with closed mouth to the center of the fork in the tail.
• Fork Length Species Include: Amberjacks, Bluefish, Rudderfish, King Mackerel, Hog Fish, Spanish, Mackerel, Dolphin, Permit, Cobia, Pompano, Mullet, African Pompano
40