We stay on the water each year at port Isabel and I see shepherds all the time around the dock but never have caught one. I used frozen sand fleas last year and didn’t work. What’s the best way to catch these? Some are pretty good size. They seem pretty skittish too.

Have not fished salt water in awhile. Years ago I was catching Sheep Head on live and dead shrimp.

Fresh shrimp works well. Try to hide the hook as best you can. You will likely have to battle the trash fish. I have not tried these, but I have heard that hermit crabs work too. Shrimp are obviously easier to come by.

Ive put dead and live shrimp by them but yeah the little fish get to be a pain

Sheepshead really like small live shrimp. Float a small live shrimp in an around rocks where you see sheepshead and you should have a good chance at catching one.

What size hook and use a weight or let run free?

I don't know if this is applicable to your situation, but when we were kids in south Florida we used to use a scraper to knock the barnacles off of pilings (look for those big, flat concrete pilings; the more barnacles you can dislodge the better); it'd start a sheepie feeding frenzy. I've caught a few on flies, using shrimp imitations. Catching sheepies on flies isn't an everyday experience. Good luck!

Sheepheads are fun to catch, you can load a cooler full. All fun and games until you show up to the cleaning table.

Number 2 Mustad Shrimp hook with a 1/4 oz split shot will work for average size fish. A 2/0 hook isn’t too big for big fish. If the tide is strong I will use a 1 oz egg sinker above the split shot.

They do have a serious rib cage that will dull a knife.

Have never caught them myself, but it’s rumored that fiddler crabs make good bait for them.

We catch some solid ones at Calcasieu. They go right back. No way I am cleaning them. Good table fare if you have someone willing to hack on them. They usually are mixed in with reds.

I love the way they taste. Definitely worth cleaning.