#Sheepshead fish freshwater how to

Although, considered a rough fish by many anglers, it has a succulent flesh. Primarily active at night, drum form large schools feeding shallow water. Their heavy throat-teeth also allow them to consume mollusks, also. They feed primarily on fish, crayfish, and immature insects. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources opted for a 14-inch total length size limit and a 10 fish per person bag limit not to exceed 30 fish per boat per day. 1 The fish's otoliths are quite large and look almost polished and ivory-like. In 2012 sheepshead were removed from the Federal Snapper-Grouper complex, leaving management of the species to the discretion of the State. The drum's otoliths are large and have been used for jewelry and luck charms.ĭrum typically spawn in April or May and occurs in open water, where the eggs float until they hatch. Sometimes called the sheepshead, grunter or gaspergou, the freshwater drum is the only North American freshwater member of the Sciaenidae family. A lucky stone is actually the unique ear bone or otolith of a freshwater drum ( Aplodinotus grunniens ), also known as the sheephead fish. Freshwater drum numbers tend to spike in June and July, offering anglers a way to fill the weeks before the salmon season starts later in the summer. They have a swim bladder which is able to produce sound and its use is thought to have to do with spawning. Drum are the only member of the Sciaenidae fish breed to live in freshwater, and catching a drum fish, also known as sheepshead, is thrilling for many anglers. Freshwater drum are silvery in color and lack the distinctive tail fin spot of red drum.ĭrum is endemic to North America and one of the wider ranging species. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spines and 29-32 rays.

#Sheepshead fish freshwater how to

The fish is deep-bodied and equipped with a long dorsal fin divided into two sections. Below is a quick video of a quick way to clean sheepshead (with a normal fillet knife), and you can also learn how to cook sheepshead here. Except for color, they resemble the red drum.

Freshwater Drum Freshwater drum are silver-gray in with a down facing mouth.