Winter Kayak Fishing for Sheepshead and Getting on a Hot Bite

Learned a lot from this trip and how to target sheepshead. I covered a lot of structure until I found the fish. One thing I learned is after you feel the bite you gotta let them eat for a few seconds. Then gently lift up on the rod to feel the weight of the fish and if you do feel weight set the hook.
Rod: 7' Medium Heavy Fast Action St Croix Avid Inshore
Reel: Daiwa BG 4000
Main Line: 20 lb Sufix 832 Braid - Coastal Camo
Leader: 20 lb Fluoro Seaguar Blue Label
Jig: 1/2 oz Bottom Sweeper Jig - Copperhead
Bait: Live Fiddler Crab

[@JoeBucherVideo]

Outstanding job Omar! Exciting close range battles.

[@oafishing]

Thanks Joe! Trying to fight them at the structure and maneuver with the conditions was tough, but very fun.

[@erico5865]

*No hats were soaked in the making of this film. Combat fishing medic Omar slays the convicts today, while burping through motion-sickness and bobbing like a cork while injured. Good ole field expedient bandages LOL. Nice fight and bite! Any gray man sightings? That in east Choctawhatchee?

[@oafishing]

Hahaha that was the perfect way to describe this trip! Thanks man! Yes, East Choctawhatchee.

[@jorgeoquendo7837]

Very nice video. This is the first time watching your channel. Where are you located? Which bridge is that one? I do kayak fishing in Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida. That's very challenging water conditions, especially when you are alone.

[@oafishing]

Thank you! I’m located in the Northwest Florida Panhandle near Destin. It’s three thirty one bridge. Yes I agree, the conditions were challenging and I might have been within limitations of safety based on wind, swells, and water temps. I do have some experience in rough conditions. I know the capability of my kayak as well as mine and always wear my PFD. I certainly don’t recommend new kayakers to start off in conditions like this, especially in colder months.

[@jacksonhamilton932]

Awesome fish, which bridge where are you fishing? That looks like one of the bridges at Pensacola?

[@oafishing]

@@jacksonhamilton932 thank you! This is over on the east side of Choctawhatchee Bay, 331.

[@FishingWithRedbeard]

My god man how many fish did you catch?? I lost count!!! These are the days we DREAM about!!! That was just insane. Great job and congratulations on an amazing trip! you won’t forget this one anytime soon!

[@oafishing]

Thanks bro! Right place, right time, and A LOT of luck! I'm still blown away at the kind of day I had and will be riding the high for a while!

[@PompanoBrock]

Way to go dude!!! I picked the good fiddlers out for you

[@oafishing]

Thanks man! Y’all hooked it up so good that I went back for more two days later!

[@PompanoBrock]

@@oafishing yesss sirrrrrr we will have to go together one day!!

[@oafishing]

@@PompanoBrock for sure! We’ll have to plan a trip!

[@FaithNFishing]

Monster Sheep brother! Awesome video.

[@oafishing]

Thanks brother!👊🤙

[@Kayak_Googan]

💪🏻

[@oafishing]

👊🤙

[@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186]

Just found this channel man and it makes me regret not exploring more of this area. I was stationed at Hurlburt for 2 years and now I miss my old fishing spots. You got to hit the jetties in destin for a vid dude .

[@oafishing]

Thanks! I'm glad you found the channel! A lot of good areas around here to fish and sometimes it's hard to choose where to go. I haven't hit the jetties in a few years. I'll probably make a trip in the spring when the bait starts moving back in and the bite picks up.

[@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186]

@oafishing Sounds good man. If I were you I would try to fish it around late Feb thru Mar. Nobody really knows but around that time gag groupers start showing up at the jetties, biggest I've landed was 30 inches on a paddletail.

[@oafishing]

@@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186 I had no clue about that! Thanks for the info. I’m gonna have to give it a shot.

[@FishfearmeStudios]

Nice to see you still doing so well in the winter

[@oafishing]

Thank you! One of the best fishing days I've had!

[@xRamZx]

Great day on the pilings, those were some biguns! Man, having instant reverse on my old town is so handy fishing bridges.

[@oafishing]

I couldn't have asked for a better day given the conditions! The fish showed up and were hungry. I will admit that pulling the cord on the Hobie 180 can be a pain vs instant reverse.

[@FishingWithRedbeard]

@@oafishing I’m headed out the door to pick up a big water now for that reason lol

[@oafishing]

@@FishingWithRedbeard nice! Let me know how you like it. I’ve been wanting to pick up a second kayak.