I felt like sheep 10/24

I have been feeling sheepy for the last 2 years. My problem started when I caught a 23 pound sheephead a couple of year back. Ever since then, I've been on a quest to chase down another one. But, a sheephead is not something you normally get. I had always though it is really more of by accident rather anything else.   So, when I got invited by Patrick Dammeier (who just started his facebook group "Sheepshead") to go down to the Santa Barbara coast chasing after sheephead on the kelp beds, I jumped for the opportunity.    Holy moly, what are religious experience it turned to be. Just imagine sitting on top a of a kelp forest and  mesmerized  all the bait fiahes darting in and out  of the beautiful colors of the kelp forest. And knowing at the bottom there is the infamous fish that I've been chasing after for the last 2 years.  Our lines did get hit as soon as soon as we drop our bait into 30' of water. Now, the trick is to determine if the bite is a sheephead, or something else.  Once on, the trick is to get a sheephead to the surface, without losing him in the kelp forest.  The beach surf launch and landing could have been disastrous. But with Patrick's help, everything went fairly uneventful.    Patrick did start taking in water and decide to swim his kayak in with fins.  What an idea for a peddle kayak. 
  My quest started with me wanting to eat another sheethead. But the ending result offer so much more.  Santa Barbara, wait for me.  I shall be back.

Cool! Do they have impressive teeth?

Thanks for the report, looks like I might have to try to catch one of those some day. How do you prepare them?

Thanks for the report and pictures from down South LaD.

That’s great you really got on your target fish, so fun when it works out!

I would love to hear more of how you found yourself on this quest. Also, tell us about your recipes, always want to learn.

Thanks for the report, stoke and pictures, Herb!

Congrats on your sheephead!
It’s a beauty!

Fisherman X, In answer to your question of how I found this quest:
   This is the beast that started my sinful quest.  One of those things that you cannot stop thinking about once you have a taste of the good life.  I guest the one main thing that doom me was also the taste.  7 of us almost ate the whole 23lber that night 2 years ago.  After a taste of the good stuff, I want to get more.  But everywhere I look, sheep head is kind of an accidental catch.  I really did not know you can target sheep heads until I meet the zin master of sheep.  Check out the "sheepshead" facebook page.  It only started a couple of weeks ago.

NoWhere Man:
   Their teeth is pretty wicked looking.  Almost like a vampire.  I think this one has teeth that was rubbed down over the years.  But the younger ones do have sharp teeth.  But their mouth is small.

Mark L,   I took one to the restaurant and had it done in sweet and sour Cantonese sauce.   Man was it good.   I try not to cook much these days because the restaurant can do it with out me cleaning up afterwards. I have not cook this dish and to since I was 13 year old.   But I still remember how to do it if you are intrested. Perhaps I should put this together and put it on the recipe if there is not one up already.

Mark L,
You can also steam, or poach. Very similar to rockfish. But the trick is not to overcook a sheephead. It is always better to cook till 90% done. Either throw the rest away, or make a soup using leftovers. I can put a recipe up also. This one I have been doing for quite some time.

Wow Herb, those dishes look so tasty.  Makes my mouth water.

Mark L,   I took one to the restaurant and had it done in sweet and sour Cantonese sauce.   Man was it good.   I try not to cook much these days because the restaurant can do it with out me cleaning up afterwards. I have not cook this dish and to since I was 13 year old.   But I still remember how to do it if you are intrested. Perhaps I should put this together and put it on the recipe if there is not one up already.

Please do, that looks awesome!

Wow, that looks good thanks for the pictures.

Wow, thanks for the great report. I too always thought sheepshead was a lucky accidental catch. I guess Santa Barbara is the place to target them.

The way to catch them is almost unreal. Everything is economical. 1 sinker 3 oz, 1 hook size 6.  1lb shrimp.   That's it.  2nd hook just add more to complicate things.  Drop it down a kelp batch.  Then get ready to screen.   In excitement,  or  foul language.