Derek Kelly, administrator of the 74,000-member Carolina Inshore Fishing Facebook community, joins Brilliant Fishing NC to share proven strategies for catching one of the most challenging inshore species — the Sheepshead.

In this episode, Derek discusses tackle setups, bait selection, reading structure, and how to detect the light “tap-tap” bite that makes Sheepshead so tricky. You’ll also hear about his background, memorable catches, and tips for fishing the Carolina coast effectively.

Topics covered:

Choosing the right rod, reel, and leader setup

Best baits for Sheepshead: fiddler crabs, barnacles, and urchins

Understanding tides, structure, and seasonal patterns

Hook-set timing and current speed adjustments

Inshore fishing insights from North Carolina waters

Follow Derek’s fishing community on Facebook: Carolina Inshore Fishing

🎣 Brilliant Fishing NC — Real anglers. Real stories. Real Carolina waters.

Sheepshead fishing, inshore fishing, Carolina coast, saltwater fishing, Derek Kelly, Brilliant Fishing NC, fishing podcast, North Carolina fishing