| In Alabama, fishing comes in many forms. There are | | | | sheepshead out of piles of barnacles and oyster |
| those who pursue what are considered "normal" | | | | shells, and many can't stand the thought of wakes |
| saltwater fish and those that steer away from the | | | | from passing boats banging the sides of their own |
| norm. The typical angler will aim for normal Alabama | | | | boat against concrete or wood, risking a scratch. |
| ocean fishing game, such as flounder and king | | | | The most important aspect of fishing for sheepshead |
| mackerel. These are considered the "usual" catch | | | | is to have the right bait. Pieces of fish and stinkbait |
| along the coast of Alabama. Saltwater fishing carries | | | | won't work; sheepshead eat mollusks and |
| much farther, though, when you follow the fishermen | | | | crustaceans, so anglers using shrimp and squid to |
| you find along the sidelines. Usually equipped with a | | | | catch other saltwater breeds may have some luck |
| minimal amount of gear and either out on the water | | | | with bites from sheepshead. However, anglers aiming |
| in a small boat or camped out on the bridge supports | | | | for this species know that fiddler crabs are the best |
| with no boat, these anglers are aiming for the low | | | | bait for their goal. These tiny crabs are easy to catch |
| key sheepshead. | | | | and keep. Aim for these creatures at the water's |
| Many typical anglers taking part in fishing either don't | | | | edge in creeks and ditches during low tide, throwing a |
| recognize what these anglers are doing and can't | | | | net over a gang of fiddler crabs to retrieve them. |
| imagine why they would risk scraping their boats | | | | They can be kept simply in a livewell, sand-filled |
| against the bridge supports at the edges of the | | | | bucket, or a plastic container with a tight lid inside an |
| water or simply think of sheepshead fishing as a | | | | ice chest. Handle them gently, however, since they |
| low-class sport. This is not true; it is simply a very | | | | will pinch. |
| specialized type of fishing that requires a lot of | | | | Any other kind of crab can be good for fishing |
| patience and knowledge of some of the tricks that | | | | sheepshead as well, as there are several small |
| make the unique challenge of fishing for these elusive | | | | species that will attract a bite. Other great bait for |
| creatures a more rewarding venture. | | | | sheepshead includes clams that have been raked or |
| In Alabama, fishing for sheepshead can become | | | | can be bought. Try the larger clams used for |
| something of an addiction, with many anglers | | | | chowder first - bang two shells together to break. |
| foregoing the idea of ever making a trip out to find | | | | From a single clam, you can create three separate |
| the typical fish in the bays and saltwater ways. | | | | baits, cutting the foot in half for two and using the |
| Others can't fathom having the patience to drag | | | | rest of the organs as a third. |