I hear that, E.. I had one swallow swallow a big Hotntot. After we put it in the net, I closed the mouth and the whole plug was gone. Like nothing but line showing. I'd guess that one didn't make it as it was a major surgery extracting that plug. It swam off but I dunno..

MyWar
Got into the smallies today near Van Meter before the rain hit. Snagged a couple on the Irisheyeball woolly bugger special. It’s so goddamm much fun wet wading for these things on a 90 degree summer day. R

I’ve heard drum referred to as “poor mans lobster”. I’d bet it’s not too bad breaded and deep fried.

I feel like a proud Grandpa! First use of the Hawken Aerojig jig head as sold on this site. They are really sweet. I plan to tie up a bunch of smaller ones for steelhead/float fishing.

Irisheyeball

MyWar
Got into the smallies today near Van Meter before the rain hit. Snagged a couple on the Irisheyeball woolly bugger special. It’s so goddamm much fun wet wading for these things on a 90 degree summer day. R

I’ve heard drum referred to as “poor mans lobster”. I’d bet it’s not too bad breaded and deep fried.

I feel like a proud Grandpa! First use of the Hawken Aerojig jig head as sold on this site. They are really sweet. I plan to tie up a bunch of smaller ones for steelhead/float fishing.

I’m thinking of trying something like these “crystal cast” floats for throwing the unweighted flies like the bead belly shiners on spinning gear… what do you think?

https://spinandfly.com/

I also saw a guy on some fly fishing YouTube channel that suggested using a crankbait, with an unweighted fly tied behind it. The crankbait would still provide casting weight but it won’t spook fish like a casting float, in fact it might even do the opposite and attract fish.

That float looks way fancy. Probably overkill. The crank bait thing….totally whack. I would have to put my COVID mask back on if I was doing that…but that’s just me. Based on my own experience fishing flies on spinning gear for years, I would suggest a few basics: light tackle, 8ft or longer rod with slower action. Doesn’t have to be a noodle, just not stiff. 6lb MONO or lighter, cheap foam slotted floats so you can adjust your leader length, Blackbird shot..it’s dark and soft and most importantly it’s completely round meaning it doesn’t tumble and ruin the natural action, and, very importantly, loop knots. The nymphs and white death can be fished under a float, on a dead drift, with the smallest amount of weight necessary, pretty much like a jig. The white death will draw strikes on the “swing” too. It’s very versatile. The bead belly presentation should be as horizontal as possible and with no slack in the line. Definitely let it hang in the current at the end of the drift. Mess with the shot and you’ll figure it out. Put it in some calm water at your feet and see what it takes for the fly to be seductively darting from side to side. You’ll know it when you see it.

https://youtu.be/cpUnSx668_M

I made a bunch of these from craft store. They work well.

Irisheyeball
That float looks way fancy. Probably overkill. The crank bait thing….totally whack.

Lol ok. Crank bait thing is off the table.

I use palomar knots for almost everything. Sounds like I need to work on my loop knots.

Took a truck and trailer load ov just new crank baits outta here last weekend and now have 4 more rows ov this crap from small trout too Muskie lures to relocate. Seems like we haven't scratched the surface yet. No wonder why I don't fish much these days. Of course I go through all the lures and sort 'em. Just can't get away from it. When I was a teenager worked for Norman's Sporting Goods and it was the main shipping to the other tri-state stores. Had a nice fishing section. Later worked for WM sporting goods section and theirs was ok. Still like a kid when going through fishin' crap   
 
  

Pork,
read that same article before I saw you post it.  
I imagine prepared on the half shell, like they do redfish, would be pretty tasty grilled up.  Instead of the liquid smoke the guy mentions in the article, I'd go with some hickory chips in the smoking tin if you are using a propane grill. I don't grill anything anymore without adding those in there....not overpowering but definitely gives everything a nice hint of smoke..even the quicker cooked steaks and pork chops.  
 
I guess sheepshead are too fatty to bread and fry....maybe an oven bake or no flip bake on the grill with a bread crumb/fresh grated parm/fresh dill topping would be good? 
I may just give it a whirl one of these days and report back.  I ain't skeered. 

With regard to sheepshead, notice that those flying garbage cans called sea gulls won’t even eat them?

There is your answer.

eyesandgillz
I may just give it a whirl one of these days and report back.  I ain't skeered. 

To be honest, if I caught in a clean body of water, I would give it a try.  At least that is my excuse for not eating...  I looked past channel cats for 40 years.  I just started eating them after ZeliSam convinced me.  I can't say that I keep every cat now, but they are pretty dang good fried up and much easier to clean one with the same meat as 7-8 crappie.  Honestly, I like the meat better too...
 
Freshwater drum look very close to a black drum.  I have read conflicting opinions on black drum being horrible/great eating.  I have eaten a few and found them to be great fried (I haven't eaten any other way).  I would bet they are very similar.  Just get the red meat out like any fish.  Red drum, spotted seatrout, croaker and whiting are all in the same family and all make their way in my cooler if legal...  They are all a bit different tasting, but I am not sure if I had a blind taste test of all fried up, I'd be able to tell them apart.  Obviously, I would pick redfish all day to catch.
 
I just wasted a 1/2 hour at lunch spraying weeds with this stupid pop up shower coming through!  Hopefully just enough to wash it into the roots???  Work had me away all week during the oven at the beginning of the week which I am guessing would have fried the weeds if able to treat them then.  Oh well.