Grouper only strike in deep water. The rig you use for grouper fishing needs to be rather heavy. You need an excellent powerful rod having a reel that could take an excellent difficult drag and 60 to 80 lb. test line. You need a huge hook, 5/0 to 10/0. You'll desire to put a 6 to 8 ounce egg weight on the bottom with about 2' to 3' of powerful steel leader; 50 to 100 lb. test. For bait an excellent sized pinfish or perhaps a grunt must do fine. Bear in mind, bigger bait & deeper water for bigger fish, smaller bait and shallow water for smaller fish. Of course the smaller fish are easier to catch. If you're on one of the Key West fishing charters just tell them you're after grouper and they'll set you up with the right tackle for the job.
You need to find out which way the tide or current is running. You need to find a location where it's running toward the structure. If you may uncover a smaller rock pile away from a larger structure that's preferable, so the grouper can't run for the larger structure. Drop your line in and let it drift up real close towards the structure, right in front of the fish.
When a grouper hits the bait he'll commonly hit it fairly difficult and fast. He'll try to swallow the bait almost instantly which works in your favor. Immediately after he hits the bait he'll duck under a rock or some structure like part of a sunken ship if he can. You needs to be positioned so that you may immediately pull him away from his refuge. Once you've got him out in the open you needs to be able to get him into the boat. This is not a case where you need to let him run if you may help it. He'll run right into the rocks and chances are, you'll never get him out.
If you've never been grouper fishing then do yourself a favor. Get yourself onto one of the Key West fishing charters that go out grouper fishing every day. They are able to help you set up your rig and catch that huge grouper. They'll even take care of your fishing license and make sure you're legal limits are OK for you.
You need to find out which way the tide or current is running. You need to find a location where it's running toward the structure. If you may uncover a smaller rock pile away from a larger structure that's preferable, so the grouper can't run for the larger structure. Drop your line in and let it drift up real close towards the structure, right in front of the fish.
When a grouper hits the bait he'll commonly hit it fairly difficult and fast. He'll try to swallow the bait almost instantly which works in your favor. Immediately after he hits the bait he'll duck under a rock or some structure like part of a sunken ship if he can. You needs to be positioned so that you may immediately pull him away from his refuge. Once you've got him out in the open you needs to be able to get him into the boat. This is not a case where you need to let him run if you may help it. He'll run right into the rocks and chances are, you'll never get him out.
If you've never been grouper fishing then do yourself a favor. Get yourself onto one of the Key West fishing charters that go out grouper fishing every day. They are able to help you set up your rig and catch that huge grouper. They'll even take care of your fishing license and make sure you're legal limits are OK for you.
