SECRET Sheepshead Bait Catches GIANT Fish!!

[@loopbreaka]

I felt it in my soul every time a fish broke you off. Great video.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!!

[@mikedixon8741]

All those sheepshead on that light action rod has to be insane fun!

[@southernsalt]

Man it’s a blast!

[@Surfercheflife]

I prefer to bridge fish for snapper and sheepshead with a 2000 or 2500. Its a lot of fun.

[@billtreadway6407]

Been fishing freshwater with crickets more than 50 years. When you feel that first bump its time to set the hook. The way a fish's jaw works- they pulverize the bug and eat the pieces... so if they nibble several times they've already got most of your bait. Gotta be quick on the draw with crickets!

[@hectorpuente316]

Bill God bless you. Just two questions… would you put a small bobber on the line and would you also bottom fish ? Thank you

[@billtreadway6407]

@@hectorpuente316 oh no... you want the cricket mid water. Ive fished them on the surface too, but down to maybe 8 ft is best

[@hectorpuente316]

Thank you Bill, I’ll save this channel and get back to you on how I did.

[@daflyinhawaiian2]

I am a certified fisherman for 66 years (I have a picture of me at two years old bamboo fishing) You have let my secret out. I grew up in fishing Hawaii up until age 24 and joined the USAF. I have been stationed all over the world and fished everywhere. I now live in Florida and love my sheepshead fishing. AND I love eating sheepshead. I just wish they were easier to clean.

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

What you mean crickets/CRABS is a secret ? Crickets been used as a bait for all games salt or fresh by the EGYPTIAN OVER 6000BC . LOL 😆

[@daflyinhawaiian2]

@@joeblowjohnny2297 Ssssssh! The Egyptians kept it a secret. But I think Southern Salt broke the hieroglyphs code! LOL

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

@daflyinhawaiian2 Lmao 🤣 🤣 🤣 I only used live crawfish here in south New Orleans . They are abundant in ditches catching with scoop net . SHHHHHH.... THEIR FAMILY KEPT SECRETS ! PASSED ON FROM GENERATIONS OF FARHER TO SON SINCE THE MAYFLOWER ! LMAO 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Electric knife

[@bobravenscraft5376]

I use hermit crabs

[@PandPNews]

We used to use Crickets for Sheepshead back in the 60s and 70s around the Galveston Tx area. I had forgotten all about it until your video.

[@southernsalt]

Nice!

[@stevenadams1264]

Watching from Powhatan Virginia love the Sheepshead action learn a lot from your channel thank you

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!!

[@joeblowjohnny2297]

Excellent video boss ! My favorite here in South of New orleans areas is live crawfish ! We net it for free along ditch line and abundant ! Excellent bait for Reds , speckle trout, sheepshead, drums , red snappers. Practically for all games !

[@southernsalt]

I’ll have to try them this year

[@chrisbroome5325]

Good shit, fun to watch, I was excited sitting on the couch. Grabbing some crickets this week!

[@southernsalt]

Heck yeah!!

[@heavyd777]

I grew up using brown crickets for river trout. I never tried them for sheepshead, thats genius!

[@joeygay7115]

Some good fishing. Def one of the best tasting fish for dinner. Thank you for sharing some good tips

[@southernsalt]

Thank you and I completely agree!

[@imjinriver641]

Mr. Salt, your passion and enthusiasm are incredible. Great work.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother I appreciate it!!

[@bayoubanditcharters]

On a DOG-GONE CRICKET! Awesome video brother!

[@southernsalt]

Yessir 🙌

[@rayhall3010]

I love this kind of fishing,, I've used cricket to catch fish of every species in fresh water and salt,,

[@southernsalt]

Nice!!

[@PRHYME345]

You definitely gotta do a part 2 of this.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 you got it!!

[@NoName-yi3oz]

😊

[@stevengardiner1339]

that's amazing.I never thought of crickets or bugs.Great video and information.Thank you .

[@ugglyfaceproductions]

He might have gotten off but i just learned something..Great Vids..Keep em coming..

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@seanvarone6380]

Boom! Dag gum land crickets out fished our “sea crickets”!!! Great video brother! Love the content! Can’t wait to go get after some fish with ya next week!!!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@DueSouthFishing]

Nate, I believe you may be on to something with them crickets my friend!!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@frankammirati3385]

Most people target snook , tarpon , redfish , trout , Snapper but sheepshead put a true anglers skills to the test , you have to things just right .

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@Surfercheflife]

So true. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a monster Sheepshead feeding around a pylon that refuses to eat everything you throw at it.

[@matacerotes-u1r]

Good content Nate keep catching them huge sheepshead try 17 or 20 lb test fluorocarbon leader

[@lawrencelyman3372]

My go to bait for sheepshead.. ..smoked mussels, in oil, out of the tin. Or smoked and salted clams , the latter I used to make myself, just for bait.

[@southernsalt]

Nice!!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Aren't those baits pretty soft? Seems like they'd come off the hook really easily.

[@lawrencelyman3372]

@comfortably numb they can be, but if you freeze them they stay on long enough to catch them. The ones I'd make myself tended to be tougher.

[@kennethlocke4213]

I got a suspicion? Never tried. You know the mussels served at almost every Chinese buffet? Kinda rubbery tough & it is a shellfish. Ought to stay on a hook AWSOME. Sheep's might eat them cooked or raw. I got the feeling we might have stumbled into the BEST superstar sheepshead bait ever. Mussels. Restaurants serve them on buffet? Because their cheap.

[@lawrencelyman3372]

@kennethlocke4213 the problem with using canned mussels is that they are super soft, and basically only the white tough bit and the lip stay on for any amount of time, the home cured baits stay on the hook better.

[@sammylacks4937]

I used to fish for sheepshead around Snows Cut and never heard or thought about crickets for bait. When I saw this I wondered if a Black or Red drum would like them as well. How well do they stay on hook during heavy current periods of the tide? Nice video and thanks for sharing.

[@2reelyakrz481]

That Black Drum may have been just a wee bit over slot 😂

[@southernsalt]

Just a little lol

[@davidibarra7854]

Dang broski. That was awesome. I had bust out a beer for this video. Nothing like catching a big fish on light line. And the crickets better look out for me now. Gots me a new bait

[@southernsalt]

Let us know how they work for you!!

[@jbird73]

Dude, that is far out!!! I'm gonna try. Thanks for the hot tip, bro!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 let us know how it goes!

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

First time watching your channel, I don’t even fish anymore,but enjoyed watching you fish,and also enjoyed reading your replies to these comments.Subscribed. Keep up the great work. Good luck and be safe out there.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother I really appreciate that!!

[@beamer_extremer29]

Damn it man, that’s why you always take a big gun rod with the medium one. I used to watch the guys in Mayport Florida take cane poles and crickets down the jetty pilongs and slay the sheep’s. When they ran out of crickets, they’d catch them roaches on the rocks and use them.

[@southernsalt]

Nice! Yeah maybe I should have bigger gear lol. Oh well, it adds to the experience lol

[@randyforbes8301]

Ever used hermit crabs? Drums red and black LOVE EM!! They look like monster crickets. Walk a saltwater river low tide and look at all the empty shells. *Free advice

[@southernsalt]

I used a long time ago as a kid. I probably need to give it a try again soon

[@MrBassin05]

You changing the game!🎣💯

[@southernsalt]

I’m trying lol!

[@carlosvalle4992]

Badass bro, you found another bait for sheepshead and probably drum. I'll be trying cricket's as soon as I can go out to the Texas coast. Thanks for posting it.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 let us know how it goes!!

[@carlosvalle4992]

@@southernsalt I'll make sure I'll let you know as soon as I go out there.

[@markhicks8377]

dude that was supper

[@JeffsTrades]

Love catching sheepshead on that bridge! We fish both bridges and do well.

[@southernsalt]

Nice!

[@patrickcotter945]

Dude! That was heart breaking seeing that first double cricket pop!

[@southernsalt]

Man tell me about it lol

[@buckrockerm]

You might try a mono leader. Much more abrasive resistant.

[@alaskangirl7675]

My heart was in my throat waiting for that last guy to come up!! Now I want to catch a black drum!!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@jeremydehart7466]

I love kayak fishing. Never kayak fished in the ocean but have a 27 foot pro line boat. Those are some big sheepshead, as a matter of fact that was the last type of fish I had to eat from our catch at morehead city, off the NC Coast. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@southernsalt]

That’s a dang good fish to eat too!!

[@mongo_congo9908]

Need to use roaches and palmetto bugs for the next test! Great video!

[@MikeSmith-nu9wt]

Don't do it , they get loose in the boat , it won't be good , we dont fish with termites in the old wooden boat days either ...😂

[@johnc.6645]

I really enjoy your experimentation with different baits.

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@stripermanly]

Trying new things is always an adventure. Good job Nate

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!

[@stripermanly]

@@southernsalt hopefully you’ll get the chance to try those lures I sent you soon.

[@markperez2596]

Get yourself some leaders! I want to see those big ones come up. Good job with the crickets

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!!

[@junewilliams4597]

That was so cool seeing you catching those sheep & drums fun time.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@curtissheffield4485]

I woul have to build me a strong rig and go back out there yeah man I'm enjoying watching look like you are enjoying the kayak looks fun

[@southernsalt]

Yeah might take a black drum setup soon

[@stevehogan8829]

Maybe a long shank hook next time. Thanks.... I didn't have any luck with wroms but hey... it was a bad day.

[@southernsalt]

Man people up here on the upper GC have been doing well on the worms. I’m going to try them in Florida waters soon.

[@twotoned2774]

Wow. I always thought about fishing crickets in saltwater but haven't, yet. Nice catches.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!

[@dragsmoothfishingtv635]

Just came across your Channel and I enjoyed every second of this tutorial video. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience and next time I’m out defending going to try this in my area 😎👍 🎣 Amazing fishery you have there and hell of a fight you had in your hands there a few times. Sure wish we saw what fish they were before they broke off, but that’s what keeps us all fisherman and women keep going back for them 😂❤️🎣😁👍👍

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother, and you’re right, it’s the ones we don’t see that keep us coming back!

[@dragsmoothfishingtv635]

@@southernsalt 😁🥳🎣🇺🇸👍✊

[@earthsciteach]

That's some outside of the box thinking right there. Good job, bro!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 thanks brother!!

[@DrRobrez]

My guy out here changing the game.. first earthworms, now crickets 🦗

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 I’m trying lol

[@peggyallen5465]

Great theory! Proved that cricket are great bait in saltwater also!! Good to know, thanks Nate!!👍

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 thank you!

[@joelprofit7666]

I'm going to try the crickets. Thank you man🎣

[@southernsalt]

🙌 let us know how it goes!!

[@swn69]

I hooked a 38" Cobia offshore while I was trying to catch another trigger fish. Tiny hook... small piece of cut grunt. BAM! Landed it in about 5 minutes. 40 pound test on an Avet MXL and a Accurate Valiant rod.

[@southernsalt]

Very nice!!

[@lutherjohnson6029]

Those were nice fish,,nice catches ,my dad would have loved that ,good luck

[@southernsalt]

Thank you!!

[@tdeancline]

Great job my man, very fun video. As a long time saltwater fishermen, I say great job!!!

[@southernsalt]

Thank you sir!!

[@reytheking10]

Awesome video my friend! I'm going to try that one of these days.

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@MrCntryjoe]

This cool. I caught 2 biggest fish I ever caught on a cricket, and 2 on one redworm fishing panfush. I am hooked forsure. Who'd thought in the ocean?

[@southernsalt]

Nice! We’re they Sheepshead or something else?

[@MrCntryjoe]

@@southernsalt fresh water grass carp.

[@snakeslayer831]

Cricket meat must be sweet.Gonna roast one and try😁

[@fragelicious]

I also leared to use plastics rigged 'Texas (freshwater bass) style' to drag snaggy bottoms around bridges on the Elisabeth river for flounder, striper, Reds, and Trout. When I'm not using a flutter spoon or topwater. Depending on if its day or night.

[@rob54bama]

Great video Nathan! Crickets getting the job done in the salt!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@eli-d7n]

Awesome thank you for sharing the video looking forward on the next one

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@Raider243270]

If you ever get a chance go fish a Gheenoee. Thanks for the great video!

[@southernsalt]

I’ve been thinking about getting a gheenoe for a while

[@precicorona6586]

Never mind I just seen it thanks for the advice I’ll be in Galveston in two weeks fishing

[@jiggajayp]

You gave me a cheaper alternative for my Blackfish other than crabs! I'll use them for them and Porgies and Black sea Bass!

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@HookedOnBoating]

That was so cool.... Thank you for sharing.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 no problem, thanks for watching!!

[@hehazrisen3529]

New to the channel, I’m loving it!! Green Cove Springs, FL

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@dannyboyle6989]

Im from green cove springs as well,do you sheepshead fish??

[@scottmichael3745]

Loved the video and subbed. I'm bringing crickets with me to the Keys this year because of this video. Sometimes it's hard to get live bait down there.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 good luck!

[@westfallframing7896]

Seems like they may like those crickets more than the crabs Nate! I agree with you, there's probably a lot more bugs than crabs around those pilings. I remember that they ate the worms too!

[@southernsalt]

🙌 man I plan on trying a ton of different baits and bugs soon!

[@TheCookieman24]

That was cool, first time watching you, where are you out of?

[@southernsalt]

Thank you!! I’m out of Alabama, I fish all over the Gulf Coast

[@jeremydehart7466]

Sheepshead are good to eat to!!👍🏼👍🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@eddieveeski]

Florida's got the best fishing I swear! Loved the video dude!

[@southernsalt]

Absolutely!!

[@benisplayin]

Always the battle. Tackle up for something of a moderate size and grandpa rings your door bell. I feel your pain.

[@GodzGift_Productionz]

THIS WAS A GREAT WATCH THO! I WISH I WAS NEAR SOME SHEEPHEAD

[@roderickjohnson7269]

Man chief you just blew my mind with that SHIIIIIIIII ‼️ you got my sub, I've never seen such a game changer crickets in saltwater ‼️ it broke my heart to see you have so many break offs try going to 20lb test and a #2circle hook cause in saltwater I use the forest Gump method it's like a box of chocolates you never know what you gonna hook up to ‼️ man this video has made my day ✌️🫡

[@southernsalt]

Lol I’m with you on that and thanks for subscribing brother!

[@marleneball8498]

Crickets doin it, maybe try a turkey quill strike indicator. Works against bridges and dams in TN

[@southernsalt]

Never heard of that. I’ll look into!

[@jdavi-uu1yl]

Bruh! My Guy, You are a fishing freakin genius! You have got my sub and a thumbs up. I'm 100% gonna put that on my list of stuff to do

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 I appreciate it brother!!

[@wpowolfpackinternational8346]

Try slim Jims fish love them and I know you usually do put that heavy test line back on i want to see those monsters fish that broke off 👍 🎣💪🙏

[@southernsalt]

You got it!

[@wpowolfpackinternational8346]

@@southernsalt thanks you got me wanted to try more sheephead fishing caught my share over the years watching you I see I can do a whole lot more Focus around them Bridges and structure

[@livingintheLight.]

We have marine isopods or beach roaches or rock louse or whatever you want call them crawling all over docks, rocks and pilings here along the southeast coast. They look a lot like a cricket so it's makes sense that they would work. Can't believe I've never seen this before.

[@southernsalt]

Yes sir if you try it let us know what your results are!!

[@livingintheLight.]

@@southernsalt Darn right I will!

[@fishdog31024]

Is This at Slidell, LA?

[@miamiwax5504]

I love how you always try some new stuff

[@southernsalt]

🙌 thank you, got some good stuff on the way!!

[@SOGOnic]

Awesome video Nate. Never seen crickets in saltwater. But if nothing else, I wanna try it just for the chance of a big fish in a kayak. Keep up the content dude 💪

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 thanks brother!

[@tnafishing7]

Man, my wife kept jumpin out her seat everytime you broke off!! 😂

[@southernsalt]

😂 😂 I was about to jump out my seat on the kayak lol

[@tnafishing7]

@@southernsalt 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Sjs-wi9vr]

Try crickets vs worms no locating with crabs first. That would really tell the tale! I love sheepshead fishing. Matter of fact, do it with a cane pole and a bottom sweeper jig. Results are amazing!

[@jckdnls9292]

Why no locating with crabs first? What's the logic behind that?

[@BigME_80]

Great Video! Will you be at the Mobile Boat Show this weekend?

[@southernsalt]

I wish I was brother, definitely next year

[@Floridamarty]

Just found your channel today. Subscribed. Thanks for the cricket info, seems a better choice than fiddlers unless of course your gettin fidlers for free. Good work. See ya again real soon.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌

[@kenp247]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks, Nate.

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!

[@FishingFloridaWithKO]

So cool 😎 need to try them out 👍

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@charleshatcliff5588]

Frozen beef brains . It will that an release white juice after a couple mins in water. Catfish love it.

[@southernsalt]

How do I even get that lol. If I can find it I’ll try it lol

[@charleshatcliff5588]

Go to a butcher shop an ask them my dad sworn by it . I don't believe they sell in stores. Keep it real cold an when it gets in the water the goods will start dispurting a milky flavor in the water. Great vid man good luck be safe an God Bless!!

[@southernsalt]

I’ll give that a try!

[@stjohnsriverrat7161]

Another excellent video Nate, Much thanks

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother!!

[@silkmothspinnery]

I am grateful for this cricket bait video! I am new to fishing down south. I will try this the next time I try bridge fishing. Thank you! And I am so sorry you got broke off! That is always heartbreaking!

[@southernsalt]

Just a part of fishing lol. If you do go give it a try bring fiddler crabs as well and try them both. Crabs work better than anything

[@silkmothspinnery]

I raise praying mantises so I have all sorts of feeders.

[@silkmothspinnery]

I raise praying mantises so I have all sorts of feeders.

[@silkmothspinnery]

I raise praying mantises so I have all sorts of feeders.

[@silkmothspinnery]

I raise praying mantises so I have all sorts of feeders.

[@dougiemac8417]

First time viewer. First time subscriber!!! Man the action was phenomenal!!! Had my heart thumping the whole time!!! DANG this was awesome!!! Looking forward to more from your channel. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@southernsalt]

Heck yeah brother I appreciate it!!

[@manifest2656]

Sir you definitely deserve a like and sub.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 thanks brother!!

[@Mossberg590Mariner]

So, i went from watching your barnacles for sheepshead video, then saw this. Dude, you dont miss with the content! I had HAD HAD a feeling those were black drum that were breaking you off. Have you tried using salt cured clams or any of those fishbites for sheepshead? Now you have me wanting to get crickets when I go back to fl for my vacation and go for sheepshead...

[@southernsalt]

Thank you brother!!

[@osvaldocortes6050]

That's awesome you I will try them allright, that's sheap 😂let's go cricket fishing 😅

[@southernsalt]

Lol 🙌

[@davidrobinson5365]

Try biscuit dough I've caught big shellcracker and blue gill with it

[@southernsalt]

Interesting, I might try it!

[@scottmichael3745]

As kids we mixed flower water and garlic powder for carp fishing. When you're 10, free bait matters.

[@clifbradley]

Braided line would be your best friend. If that isn't black drum, it could be stingrays. I've caught many stingrays and they act just like that where they run to the bottom and are dead weight. They start flapping those wings and get those initial power runs. Like reeling in a cinder block

[@southernsalt]

Definitely black drum, and I’m using braid lol

[@Rcwardrop1978]

Awesome video! Definitely one of my favorite ones you have put out!

[@southernsalt]

Thanks brother, I see you got a new kayak maybe we can get a trip in soon!

[@jamiehoward4980]

Awesome catch! I never thought about crickets but I do see a lot of roach looking creatures around the pilings makes sense. I definitely would change my leader to a 25-30lbs test around all that structure. I know you can get more bites but I hate the break offs.

[@southernsalt]

Yeah break offs are just part of it. These sheepshead can be line shy at times.

[@najeeullahrasheed1684]

Gotta hookum to cookum

[@jamiehoward4980]

I do understand that! You catch most of them so it's not a problem!

[@irishgold8783]

​@@southernsalteven in murky water?

[@KarlMiller-g5j]

Absolutely awesome catch.

[@southernsalt]

🙌

[@curtisthompson7383]

Wow sheephead on crickets! Next time you mow your grass let your kids follow the lawn mower and catch the black grass crickets that are in your yard, they work for bream and theyre free, should work for sheephead too. I enjoyed your video!

[@ernestmay3541]

Great show. You are great. Where are you located?

[@southernsalt]

Thanks man, im on the upper Gulf Coast!

[@dgriffin6074]

Terrific video. Thanks. I noticed you pedaled to go in reverse, but didn't see you pull a cable; is that the Hobie 360 drive?

[@southernsalt]

Yes it’s the 360. Thanks!!

[@dgriffin6074]

@@southernsalt can the 360 be installed in any Hobie pedal kayak?

[@lutherbrigman5391]

I really enjoyed the video…. I’m gonna take crickets to the coast… in NC

[@southernsalt]

🙌 let us know how it goes

[@ITigerbaum]

Good idea and show! New subscriber from Capt Collier.

[@southernsalt]

🙌 🙌 Capt. Collier has one of the best channel’s around!