To catch a convict fish — You'll be counting sheepshead in no time, if you follow these tips

When it comes to hooking sheepshead, “it’s the little details that make the difference,” Redfish Professional Sonny Granger told the more than 50 gathered at Hooters for a recent Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar.

The first detail, which Granger and Capt. Phil Rooks of the charter boat Fish Finder discussed during the seminar, was the type of fishing line.

Both suggested using braided fishing line. “Thirty-pound braid line is good but 20 will get it done,” Rooks said.

The difference is “braided line has no stretch and you can feel the bite,” Granger said.

Sheepshead have a “quick sharp bite,” Granger added. “They crush things extremely well and if you don’t feel the bite, you’re gonna miss the fish.”

The best place to find sheepshead is around structures in deep water, mainly bridge pilings.

“Always use a lead,” Rooks said. “I like to fish a lead pretty close to the bottom.”

Both Granger and Rooks suggest raking the pilings.

“Scrub the barnacles off the pilings,” and by doing that, “You just made a buffet line for the fish.”

Another good way to stir up dinner for the sheepshead is to use a brick on a rope to knock off the crustaceans.

Shrimp, oysters or clams and even small crabs are good for bait.

Because shrimp are buried up in the mud during the cold months, they are hard to get right now, Rooks said. So he likes to use oysters.

Putting an oyster on a hook is a “little bit like hooking snot,” Rooks said. “And when he (the sheepshead) sucks it in, you can catch him.”

Tim Broom, of Half Hitch Tackle, suggested using sandfleas for bait.

“Something in the crustacean line … good fresh shrimp is always good,” Granger said. “Live shrimp and fiddler crab are the best.”

And don’t forget the chum.

Buckets of crushed oyster shells work good for chum, Granger said. “And chum makes ‘em dumb,” he said.

As for tackle, Rooks said medium to heavy tackle with a slip lead rig, and a single swivel tied to the braid.

This type of rig “acts real natural in the water,” Rooks said.

Granger said you want to use a real sturdy hook with a short shank — a No. 6 to 4 is best.

Another detail that will add to your catch percentage is using sharp hooks.

“Test the hook’s sharpness,” Granger said. He also suggested using a file to sharpen your hooks.

“You want to use the least amount of tackle,” Granger said. “And by doing that you will increase your percentages.”

“You want to stay in contact with the bait and keep it on the bottom,” Rooks said. “And you better be right over the top of it, because when you hook it, he’s going right to the piling.”

At that point, Granger said, “run to the front of the boat and get it away from the piling,” so it won’t break off.

“They are so sensitive when they bite … when you feel that tension, pull it in,” Rooks said.

“Keep a finger on the line and you’ll feel it way ahead of time,” Granger said. “And that millisecond makes a difference.”

Where are the hot spots for sheepshead?

“Any bridge that has oysters on it,” Rooks said. He said there a lot of places along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Destin bridge as well as the 331 bridge are both good spots. “Any of the bridges are holding fish right now.”

“It’s best to go to the old structures,” Granger said. “The more barnacles, the better.”

The east jetties off Destin are also a good spot for sheepshead.

“If you’re not getting hung up, you’re not fishing close enough,” Granger said.

In addition to the jetties and bridges, Rooks said big docks with two or three pilings tied together are good for sheepshead fishing.