Looking Back and Moving Forward

After a ton of drafts, I finally found my voice for this post.  One in which I feel really represents the spirit of reflection.  So with that being said, lets jump right into things.


Redfish - 2015 found multiple trophy fish in both VA and NC, lights out fishing that I will never forget, and the absolute demolishment of a personal best.

Spring 2015 48.5" Redfish
PC: Rob "RMFC" Choi

While fishing the 2015 NCKFA Oak Island Classic I was fortunate enough to experience one of the greatest NC drum run's of the last 30 years.  Even the "Old Timers" were using words like "EPIC" to describe it.  While fishing off the beach, I caught well over 40 drum between 38-42".

Beautiful "Pumpkin" caught off Oak Island NC

I also found a number of fish in the fall.  Plenty of trips were had with multiple drum caught, and more fish over 50" than I had ever caught ever in my entire time saltwater fishing.  One experience comes to mind in which my bro Tex had a hunch about the location of the fish.  He casts and hooks into his PB (at the time), While I cast and hook into another PB at 51".  Well that didn't last long for me because on the very next cast I shatter my PB at 54".

A 54" Drum that comes in at over 60 lbs (L x G formula)

I also got a fight that I had been wanting for years... the coveted bull red piling fight.  The end result was a 53" drum and a broken Trevala S rod.  Well worth the price!


Sheepshead - Words can't describe my 2015 Sheepshead season.  Insane amounts of large fish were the norm.  During a 4 month period I only got skunked twice early in the season and once on my season ending trip.  I caught them in insane conditions making for challenging fights.  It was such a good season that I completely lost track of the number of fish over 24", while breaking my personal best with a 26.5" fish.

So many fish looked just like this one - insanely fat!

Conservation is key to sustain a trophy fishery.  I personally believe in releasing all breeders over 20"

CPR is rewarded time after time.

I was also blessed enough to experience many PB's by good friends.  To include Tex and the fish that kept him sheepshead fishing.

Roland "Tex" Butler with his first citation Sheepshead

Striped Bass - If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I would be writing about this species, I would say you were insane.  The trophy Striper fishery over the past few years has been pretty poor, but in 2015, it started off strong and kept on going through the year.

A 42" Spring Striper

One of the highlights was a Striper-Sheepshead surprise.  This 40" fish came on a Fiddler crab in 38 FOW... in the heat of summer.

So shocked!

 And one of my last fish of the year just happened to be my first "Official" Virginia Striper coming in at 45".  This fish marked yet another Personal Best in 2015.

A 45" December "eel eater"
PC- Rob Choi

Coming in as an honorable mention for 2015 was probably the toughest pound-for-pound fish I have ever caught.  The False Albacore had been a line item on a lengthy hit list for years.  After my first trip off the beach back in the day... seeing blitzing packs... and the amazing speed they possess, made them an itch that I could actually scratch.  Plenty of research, a good intel network, and lots of luck resulted in a good number of 10 to 15 lb falsies, and lots of laughs.

The first of many falsies on the day

Mr. YakAttack (Luther Cifers) with a RonZ eater

Some of the more notable absences for me in 2015 were those of the springtime chopper bluefish and sadly enough trophy speckled trout.  The blues never really were a priority for me in 2015, but will be in 2016.  After a Cold kill and loss of warm water discharge for the VA trout fishery in early 2015, gators kinda fell off my radar as well.  Both specie will find their place on my 2016 priority list.


While 2015 might not have been my "best" year kayak fishing, it certainly ranked as one of my most memorable.  In 2016 I am looking forward to the Usual Suspects of my fisheries, and some more of the less common guys such as the Fat Alberts, King Mackerel, Cobia, and if all goes well beach launched snapper and amberjacks.  I am also looking to push my paddling capabilities to my limits, with some distance and open water events that will put all my skills to the test.


Finally I would be remised if I didn't thank some very important people.  All of whom I consider friends that push me to my limits and will be along with me on my 2016 journey.  Thanks to the one and only Wicked Pissah, Tex, RMFC, Kev, Lee, Jay, Tommy, Jeff, the ARC crew, Crumbwad, Danny, Megan, Steve, Lydia, Bryan, Luther, the cats at OE, and 2nasty.  Y'all rock, and here is to 2016!

Sheepshead Surprise

Back in the day, Kayak Kevin coined the term "Spadefish Surprise."

             def.  When ones bait (clam) is struck by a target specie other than spadefish.  i.e. Sheepshead

Well, Ill give your the definition of a "Sheepshead Surprise" in a minute, but lets set the scene shall we.  All week long, I had a good feeling about my first VA saltwater outing in a month and a half.  So good I felt that I was going to be a hero and do some epic things.  On August 1st, there were forecasted ideal conditions for what I was wanting to do, but I just couldn't find the right people who were willing to go all out and leave any trepidation's at the launch.  Calls went back and forth, and I got confirmation that the plan was a go, but i had a feeling something would change (and it did).  Oh well, I guess I will just relax and sleep in.

One of my favorite things is waking up on my own terms, with no alarm clock or other am annoyances to start the day off on the wrong note.  So when I woke up at 0600, and saw a text from Tex, I was shocked but ready for what the day would bring.  I collect myself, get bait, and head to the launch.  Paddling off the beach at 8am on a Saturday is less than ideal, and this was confirmed when I counted no less than 10 kayaks in my first 10 minutes of launching.  I kept telling myself it was still going to be a good day, and when I met up with Tex,  all the other kayaks and boats that were at the front of my mind disappeared.  Tex had made a handful of drops when we decided to move on.  As we approach one of my favorite spots, there was already yaks on it.  Well, it just goes to show the early bird gets the worm, and it increased my pace to get to my favorite part of the 3 mile span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.

First drop was met by a spade that was all of 10".  The right target, just not the right size.  So I moved around looking to gauge the attitude and location of the school of spades.  Within minutes, I feel the tall tale "tick tick", drop the rod tip and gather slack, and drive the sz 4 Owner home.  "Fish On"!  I'm getting bulldogged, and my rod is not shaking, which can mean only one thing Spadefish Surprise.  As I navigate through the pilings, I am getting ready to sweep the fish in when I get that gut wrenching feeling of slack line.  I look at Tex, and say "sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't".  As I inspect my rig, the small spadefish hook just didn't have enough purchase in the toothy mouth of the Sheepshead.  time to go back to basics and remind myself that I don't need a ton of drag when I get these fish to the open.

While all this drama is going on with me, Tex is putting on a spadefish clinic!



Roland with one of the nicer Spades on the day

I had a pretty good day on the spades in between dropping crabs to the depths.  Not long after loosing the first sheepie, I feel a tap while on the bottom.  I set the hook, and get worked much like a sheepie would.  This fish is working me through the piling set and once I am in the clear, I let up on the drag.  About this time, she is coming to the surface, and much to my surprise, I ended up with a true Sheepshead surprise.

40" Striper brought up from the depths

Shocked!

After landing, snapping pics, and getting a healthy release, I was back at it.  I went back and busted out a few more spades until I got bored again and dropped back down.  This time, I feel the hit and felt some weight, but had horizontal instead of vertical runs.  In shock, not quite sure of what to expect, I bring the fish up to find a 7-10lb Black Drum.  Now Ive never really targeted them, so my personal best was a whopping 8" fish.  Imagine my stoke when I brought this bad boy up.  While most fish go back to live another day, I love eating blacks this size, and he came home for dinner.

Personal Best Black Drum

We went back to spade fishing, but as the current got stronger, we decided to go take refuge and find some triggers.  While they were there, they were extremely skittish and we managed a pair a piece.  I enjoyed chilling, but Tex was on a mission for his personal best Sheepie.  We start moving in, and hit some of our favorite spots.  On my first drop, I feel that all to familiar tap tap, and this time I wasn't disappointed.  I get the fish in the open, and this is where I get to enjoy the fight without the fear of loosing them.  If they want to run, they get to run, as there is nothing that is going to break me off.  The leg sweep brought me this beautifully colored fish.

A solid 23" sheep to end the day

This last fish marked the end of our day.  Not necessarily all we had hoped for in alot of ways, but more than I would have expected in others.  So now I have a new definition for ya:  The Sheepsead Surprise

                 def.  1. a game fish other than a sheepshead, that comes as bycatch while fishing for sheepies
                         2. a sheepshead that comes after a day full of "Sheepshead Surprises" (see #1)
                        

This day fulfilled both parts of the definition!

Kayak Fishing - Top 10 Must-haves

I was inspired by Brian Vincent over at Appomattox River Company (www.paddleva.com) to compile a list of what I feel to be my "must have's" when Kayak Fishing. Of course this list may vary for many of you, but I feel that I owe much of the success I've had to what I list below.

1. Quality Kayak

This one should be a no-brainer, but unfortunately it isn't always that clear. Don’t get caught up in all the hype about the next best thing, because as of yet there isn't a fishing kayak that can be classified as the "hands down best all-around" fishing kayak. Kayaks have strengths and weaknesses just like fishing techniques. I used to think that one day a company will come up with the "one", but as kayak fishing evolves, I have come to the personal realization that it will never happen.

What can you do to find the best kayak for you? The answer to that question is threefold.

1. Talk to pro-staffers, ambassadors, or factory reps. These people will tell you the pro's and con's about the kayaks they paddle. When I am asked about a specific kayak, I will ask the individual the type of water they paddle, when they paddle, how often they paddle, the duration of their trips, and their fishing style. This will help me build off of my experience and recommend what I believe to be the best kayak for them, even if it’s not a brand that I represent. I and many of my counterparts do not want to see you in the wrong kayak. If I put you in one of my kayak's knowing it’s going to be wrong for you, you will not be happy, and an unhappy customer is a vocal customer. If a rep is not of this mindset, then move along, because they do not have YOUR best interest in mind.
2. Ask people that own, and have paddled the kayak you are looking for. A great place to do this is your local kayak fishing forum. You will get opinions from a broad experience level, and from people who have paid full price for their kayak. I generally trust the opinion of a person who will tell you they have paddled a number of different brands and models. Diversity is a great thing!
3. Visit your local paddle sports retailer. As they are the front line oftentimes for purchases, returns, issues, and praise. These are the people that want to see you in the right boat, so they can bank on you being a return customer for all your paddle sport’s needs. They are well versed by some of the most knowledgeable people in the industry, and have the most overall knowledge. Paddle sports is a laid back community, so if you feel pressured by sales staff, speak to a manager, or move on!

For me, I paddle the Hurricane Kayaks Skimmer line because they are Fast, Lightweight, Durable, and perform amazingly in a number of different conditions I fish in. There are downsides though such as a lack of storage for surf launches, and the Skimmer's not being a typical sight casting platform. Overall, they work really well for me, and allow me certain options to mitigate their shortcomings. Their Pro's far outweigh their Con's in the vast majority of conditions I fish in. Not to mention, they are the lightest fishing kayaks on the Market!

 

Skimmer 128 rigged for fishing

2. Salt Rated Fishing Reels

Kayak fishermen are hard on gear. Saltwater fishermen are in environments that will destroy equipment in a flash. If you are looking to fish inshore or offshore from a kayak, plan on dropping dough on quality reels (or replacing them often). I treat my gear rough, so rough that people think that I’m made of money. There are only a handful of reels that I will purchase now because I have put them through their paces, and know they will work for me no matter what.

• Baitcasters - I prefer and highly recommend the Abu Garcia Revo line. I have a handful of STX's and SX's. These things have 20+ lbs. of drag, are lightweight, are saltwater rated, and feel like they are solid in their construction. Other reels I have liked are the Shimano E series Curado's and the Non-CI4 Calcutta's. The G series Curado's and the CI4 Cronarch's are probably amazing reels if you are going to keep them away from the salt and baby them, but that’s not my style.

Photo - Werner Paddles

Spinning - For the money, the Shimano Sedona is an amazing reel and has a price point around $70. I have not had any issue with the Sedona's I have owned. I also like the Stratic FJ's and drool over the Saragossa, Sustain, and Stella, but have not owned one myself. They do have a great reputation in the inshore community though. I also own a Quantum Inshore Smoke, and a Diawa Ballistic. Both reels have been in my quiver for a few years now, and have held up fairly well. For some bigger rods, the Penn Spinfisher V has been bombproof, but the durability comes with the cost of weight.

• Conventional - This is where I have limited experience, but have still caught trophy fish on all three reels I cover. First is the Shamano Tyrnos. I enjoyed this reel, but didn’t use it as often as the others. The Issue I had is while it sat around, the grease pooled in one area of the reel, which required disassembly and re-greasing to make it operational. The next is the Diawa Saltist. I can’t say much more than "I love this reel". If I had the need I would own a fleet of these things. Smooth, great drag, light weight, and damn sexy. Finally, I have the Release Reels SG. My SG is a few years old and besides some minor servicing in its infancy, it has been super reliable. Unfortunately, not all SG's have the same reputation as mine. Wes and the Crew up in Reedville will take care of you and make things right if the unthinkable happens though. Keep that in mind when making your next purchase.

3. Amazing Paddles

In kayaking, the paddle is your outboard. You wouldn’t put a Daewoo outboard on a 27' Contender. Don’t skimp on your paddle. While you generally get similar performance form paddles in the same price range, I cannot in good conscious recommend any paddle other than a Werner Paddle. While kayaks are variable, the paddle really isn’t. I can’t badmouth any other brands, nor would I. When it comes to Werner, you get a paddle that is made in the USA, and doesn’t focus on gimmicks to sell. Werner lets the paddle speak for itself. I will be buried with my Kaliste when it is my day to meet my maker. Check them out at www.wernerpaddles.com.

With this purchase, no matter the brand, the more you spend the more performance you will see and the happier you will be. I have never thought to myself, I wish I would have bought the next line down. Each upgrade will increase your paddling enjoyment exponentially.

4. Top Notch Leader Material

My leader is non-negotiable. Never again will I buy the bargain fluorocarbon. Seguar Blue or Red label is the Jam. I have also had good luck with the Berkley Tournament grade. The fluorocarbon properties of decreased visibility by fish, abrasion resistance, quick sinking, low memory, and knot strength are better in Seguar than other brands I’ve used. Don’t skimp on this.

5. Comfortable and Functional PFD

A PFD, much like a kayak is something that you must be willing to trust your life to. God forbid, something happens on the water, a PFD may be your difference between life and death, no matter how strong your abilities are. Most brands like Astral, Kokatat, and NRS make products that will keep you alive.

Moving along, I need a PFD that I can wear all day long in 100 degree heat, and not feel the urge to take it off. The Astral Ronny, Ronny Fisher, and Veight have super breathable mesh inserts, vents, and plenty of storage for your gear. Vests like the Seawolf and Green Jacket have solid clamshell pockets and are tectonic in nature so they move with you while you paddle. The Seawolf and Ronny Fisher are my go to choices.

Astral Ronny Fisher

6. The Right Rods for the Right Situations

This one is simple. Don’t go after bull drum with a panfish rod. When you are chasing fish, you want a rod that is matched appropriately to your quarry; otherwise it is like taking a knife to a gunfight, or a hand grenade to a game of paper rock scissors. The right fishing rod ensures an appropriate fish which decreases the morbidity of released fish, but still allows you to enjoy the fight and get the fish to hand.

There are so many great rod makers out there, so to recommend one rod over another is ludacris. I like my Shamano Terez's and Crucial's, but that’s not to say that I don’t, or am unwilling to fish anything else.

7. Versatile Kayak Rigging Options

It pains me to list this at #7, but fact is, 1-6 are necessity, and this is a nicety. For rigging, I look no further than YakAttack. Luther, Dan, and the rest of the team are always on the cutting edge of the sport. They are a US Based Company that makes lights for fishing at night, tracks to mount fish finders, cameras and rod holders, and even storage options. There are other companies that have come after YakAttack, but while a few dollars difference may seem nice, the quality and customer support is not there. Furthermore, YakAttack gives so much back to kayak anglers in the form of tournament donations and financial support to HOW and PHW. If you want it, www.yakattack.us has it!

8. Rugged Footwear

Kick off those flip flops. They have no place on the water for a kayak fisherman. Hooks in the foot, broken tongues, and minimal security make them a poor, uninformed choice. Water shoes are where it is at. Brands like Columbia and Keen make great shoes, but only Astral makes shoes designed around the paddling experience. You need a shoe that you can walk on scorching hot sand, through mud fields, over oyster bars, in the parking lot, and kick off pilings with. You also need something that will drain, and dry quickly. My Brewers and Loyaks do just that.

Astral Loyak - Astral Buoyancy

For your PFD and footwear needs, I recommend www.astraldesigns.com

9. Durable Baits

There are few things worse than taking a pack of plastics out, and getting all the tails bit off by croaker or pinfish. This is not only costly, but it can prematurely end the day with a hot bite on a certain color, or for the minimalist. When fishing inshore, shrimp are often my favorite baits to use. The Egret Vudu Shrimp have a Kevlar weave tail which makes it damn near bomb-proof to those fish that commonly pick and peck at the tail of the bait. This lets you fish considerably longer with minimal loss. I also like to use the Egret Vudu Mullet and Wedgetials for these reasons. While the Wedgetails are not re-enforced, they are extremely durable and last longer than most anything else I’ve used.

JP hammershad on an Aqua Dream Inline Spinnerbait

 

For my larger baits, I love fishing with my Powerteam Lures 4.8" Swinging Hammer and the JP Hammershads. These baits are neutrally buoyant and can handle repeated catches of large, toothy speckled trout. Unlike a lot of other similar baits I’ve thrown, these don’t easily pull out of screw lock hooks which save me money!

Swinging Hammer with a Healthy VA Citation Speck

10. All Around Terminal Tackle

To close out this list, I chose something that I feel to be extremely important and would have expected to come out much higher on my list. Whether its hooks, jig heads, swivels or the like, this is one area I refuse to skimp on. If I am chasing sheepshead or other trophy fish, I will eat ramen and tuna for a week before I compromise on my terminal tackle.

Owner and Eagle Claw Trokar's are the only hooks I’ll use when I’m fishing bait. These hooks are strong, sharp, and reliable. I will fish Trokar's or VMC's when I need a swimbait hook or EWG for more of my inshore presentations for many of the same reasons above.

Swivels and connectors are another major part of my game. When tying Sheepshead, Spadefish, or Tautog rigs, I like the 50lb spro barrel swivels. These are small, yet mighty reliable to the point I've never had them fail on me. I will also add them to the split ring on my spoons to help avoid line twist. As far as connectors are concerned, I refuse to leave home without my Tactical Anglers Power Clips. I could write a whole post just on these bad boys. Quick lure changes, added action, and ease of use are just three of the many added benefits.

50 lb TA Power Clip

I have 2 main requirements for jigheads. They must have a strong, solid black nickel hook, and the hook shank must vary in length to correspond to the weight of the jighead. Egret, VMC, and Owner all make super high quality products, but for me, Jigheads are like shoes, and whenever I see something new on the market, I make it a point to pick up a pack or two.

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I hope this top 10 list will help you when making your next kayak fishing purchase. For me, this is what works well. Keep in mind that many of the products I have mentioned here are from companies that I am sponsored by. I use their products, because for my style, I feel that they are superior to many others on the market. In the end though, its all about helping you figure out what works best for you and will give you the most enjoyment from your time on the water!

Pulling the Trigger on some Spades

As the seasons come and go, so does our extremely diverse fisheries in the South East.  For me, the springtime allure of Specks, Reds, Flounder, and Bluefish fades to our harder fighting species as the mercury rises.   For me, the summer means one thing...  Its time for the CBBT!

As I spent early summer chasing Cobia as they entered the bay with my friends (see Richie Bekolay's Mr. Brown Clown), I couldn't help but feel like something was missing.  It wasn't until late June that I made my first trip after the glory species.  My first and second drops of the year boasted the bounty of the season to come!

The Convict Gets Captured

Sadly, after the first two drops I have been cursed with pulled hooks and poor sets in my pursuit of The Sheepshead.  The good thing is that there is plenty of time left in the season for these bay bruisers.

Another target of the CBBT is the Triggerfish.  Triggers are super aggressive, tenacious bait stealers that frustrate the most seasoned anglers.  For me, they are a tasty, willing fish that loves to grace my diner table.  I drop either a dropper loop or a carolina rig to bring these bad boys to the diner table!

Finally, the fish that completes my trips is the Spadefish.  Spades are pound for pound the toughest fighters of the three target species.  While the Sheepshead makes bulldogging runs and have fins like railroad spikes, the Spadefish is like hooking into the drum of a spinning washing machine.  While the smaller fish run in circles while shaking your rod to high heaven, the bigger spades take you on drag peeling runs, trying their damndest to take you into any structure they can find.  Oh, and I failed to mention, they too try to shake the rod out of your hands too!  In my last few trips with Rob Choi, Kayak Kevin, Seth and Kam Goodrich, and Ted Crumb, I have been extremely fortunate to find a very solid class of in (and near) shore spades!

15" Spade
Photo Credit Rob "RMFC" Choi

16" Spadefish

15.5" Spade

Thankfully, the fight of the spades can help ease the pain of my Sheepshead Struggles!  Until the next adventure!

Ted with one of his first Kayak Spade at 15.75"

Kam with a solid 13" Spade

Ted with his first Black Drum

Seth closing it out with another solid spade

Sheepshead – Dissected

For the longest time, seeing friends like Kayak Kevin Whitley, Rob Choi, and Lee Williams catch monster Sheepshead (let alone any Sheepshead) haunted me.  Seeing footage of these extremely violent fights in close quarters with amazing fish were all I focused on for almost two seasons.  Fortunately, my first two monster fish both came in over 11 lbs and both came on the same day, in conditions that I had no right fishing in.  From that day on, I have refined my skills, and am confident sharing what I have learned.  I will break it down from bait and rigs, to techniques and conditions in which I post consistent catches.

Bait Selection:

Although Sheepshead can be caught on a large variety of baits, they have mouths designed for feeding on crustaceans.  My favorite baits are as follows in order or seasonal precedence.

 

Mole Crabs (Sand Fleas) 

• For me, the availability of these baits in the surf is what kicks my sheepie fishing into overdrive.  I prefer freshly caught and live baits, but have had success on dead and frozen baits.  To catch them, I look at the surf zone, and if I see little bubbles in the sand as the water recedes, I focus my attention there.  I look for baits between the tide line and the small little shelf that generally occurs a few feet into the breakers.  I will dig through the sand with my hands until I feel them, at which point, I use either a clam rake, or a half a aluminum minnow trap to scoop and shift through the sand to sort out the baits.  I store them in containers with easy drainage so the ammonia in their urine doesn’t kill them.  If possible, I will catch them at night when they are all throughout the surf, keeping them cool until im ready to fish.  I will fish them on either dropper loop rigs, or Carolina rigged, depending on the conditions.                                                                                                                                                     

 

Fiddler Crabs 

21 Dozen Fiddlers in a Yeti Tundra 35

• Im sure that in many of your favorite marshes you see these little critters scurrying around the banks on a low tide.  I start to use these baits with the mole crabs and have found over the past few years that as the summer move on, I have better catches on crabs.  In Virginia, you can spend upwards of $4 a dozen at tackle shops, consistently wondering if there will be any in stock when you want them, or you can catch them yourself.  I focus on low tide cycles in areas I have seen them in the past, and can easily move along the shore after them.  If they are concentrated in open sections, I will throw a cast net at them and quickly collect them from under the net.  I will also walk through marsh grass, grabbing them as I spot them.  If there is sea grass in the areas you are looking that collects in clumps along the shore, they will generally hide underneath.  To keep them alive, keep them cool, moist and provide them a place to hide.  This summer I kept 22 dozen alive in a Yeti Tundra 35 for over 24 hours adding moist sea grass an crumpled up cardboard.  The cardboard, or better yet cardboard egg crate gives them a place to hide so they don’t kill one another.  Keeping them cool in conditions like this will let you keep them for a few weeks.  As they die, remove the dead ones and place a slice or two of bread for food.  I like to fish these on dropper loop rigs.

Clams and Shrimp

• Although this is not a bait I use to target sheepies due to the large by catch from species like spot, croaker, pinfish, grouper, I have had great luck when targeting Spadefish and Triggers.  Generally, My sheepies using this bait comes on lighter rods dedicated for spades, and the fight is amazing.  The go to rig for clams is a Carolina rig.

Blue Crabs

 

• I use Blue Crabs in 1” chunks when I am unable to get Fiddlers.  I fish them the same way I fish with Fiddlers.

Sea Urchins and Barnacles 

• I have never fished with either bait, but I know they are more popular the further south you travel.  On all the sheepies I have kept, both have been the majority of the stomach content.

Rods and Reels
 

I prefer using a MH or H power rod that is stiff enough to set the hook through a mouthful of molar like teeth.  Another consideration is the combos ability to pull them away from the structure quickly.  I use a few combos:

1. MH Shamano Travala S paired with a Release Reels SG spooled with 85lb test braid.  The reel has an insane line retrieval ratio along with a super smooth drag.  The rod has enough backbone to cross their eyes and pull them off the structure, and the braid gives me sense of mind when fishing alongside razor sharp barnacles.
2. H power Diawa Procyon paired with a Shamano Calcutta 200 and 35 lb braid.  The power of the rod and smooth drag on the reel makes this a great all around bait fishing/dropping combo.
3. MH Shamano Crucial paired with a Shamano Cronarch 200 and 35 lb braid.  Again a super strong combo, with a added bonus (super light weight).  This rig is used when Im fishing with lightweight and/or doing a lot of one handed paddling along structure.

Rigs

1. Dropper Rig.  I use either 1 or 2 hook configurations and weight from ½ to 5 oz.  I tie mine with super high quality components.  My hooks are Owner SSW J hooks from size 2 to size 2/0 (depending on the bait size).  For line I like 20-35 lb Seaguar Red or Blue label fluorocarbon line.  The Blue label is expensive, but has amazing abrasion resistance and knot strength (I recently landed a 62 lb cobia using this line).  I like a high quality barrel swivel to connect to the main line, and at least 18” to the first hook.  If Im fishing a double hook rig, I like the bottom hook 6-8” above the weight, and the top another 14-18” above that (think about working the water column.  A single rig, I like the hook 12” above the weight. On the bottom swivel, I go with a strong but inexpensive Eagle Claw Barrel Swivel with clip for quick weight changes.  With this rig, I focus on fishing near the bottom of pilings or in rocky areas.  See a dropper loop tied here.
2. Carolina Rig – I use 16-24” of 20 lb Seaguar Red label with a high quality barrel swivel and the same Owner hooks paired to bait size.  I use a Snell or Palomar from the line to the hook, and a Palomar or Uni to the swivel.  This rig is used when I am working the entire water column.  Ill drop to the bottom and work my way up 12-18” at a time, fishing each spot for a few minutes at a time.  If I have to go over 1 ½ ounces of weight on my egg sinker, I am using too much and switch to a dropper rig.

I have had equal success with both rigs, but tend to lose more around vertical structure with the Carolina rig (must because i'm not from Carolina!).

The bite and fight:

You will either feel weight on the line or light tap-tap.  If you feel the tap-tap and miss the hookset, don’t fret.  Keep your bait down for a few seconds and wait.  The sheepies tend to hit and crush the bait before they go back and pick up the pieces.  When in doubt Set the Hook.  You will loose weights and rigs, but can also be rewarded with some amazing catches.  Also, if you keep getting stolen without feeling bites, or keep missing bites, stick with it in the same areas. You may go through a lot of bait, but if you are fishing for a sheep that you know is there and feeding, don’t move on until you catch him or he stops.  Finally, when you set the hook, cross his eyes to get a positive hookset.  He’s not a speck, and your not going to rip it out of his mouth.  Once you get the hookset, hang on for the fight of your life.

Photo Credit - Jay Brooks

Good luck out there!