Shallow to mid-depth water, I like the traditional Carolina Rig for those familiar - a sliding sinker held two feet up the line from the hook by a small splitshot or barrel swivel. Use a size 1 live bait hook and rig so the point is buried in the bait to reduce hangups on the rocks. In deeper water, I like to rig a reverse dropper loop, by tying the hook to the end of the line and hanging a weight from a dropper loop a couple of feet up the line. For those on a deep-sea fishing vessel pin a shrimp, crab or a piece of mussel onto the hook and drop it down onto the reef. Sheephead like invertebrates like shrimp and crabs and sea urchins. They also feed on squid. They are not big fans of fin baits, so leave the sardines and anchovies. Sheephead feed by biting crustaceans off of the rocks or kelp branch, so it is best to fish right on the bottom or not more than a couple feet above it. Good choices of tackle include a medium action rod (7’ - 20 - 40lb class), a trustworthy reel like a Penn Jigmaster 500 star drag reel (easier for novice anglers) spooled with 25 pound Big Game mono or Trilene fluorocarbon. If you prefer braided line, spool up with your favorite 50lb. braid.