Trolling for grouper

[Geno67]

Anyone ever done it in Apalachee Bay/St. Mark's lighthouse area?

[Salty Gator]

You couldn't count the grouper that have been caught trolling south of the lighthouse (during the right time of year of course)

[GC88]

How far off, depth?

[Salty Gator]

Depends on the time of year/ where the fish are. They will come in shallower when it cools off. But right now, there is too much floating grass to troll and the big ones are deeper. Most of the people I know that troll st marks usually start around 24 and go se or sw. Good luck

[Geno67]

Cool enough this weekend?

[Salty Gator]

Have you seen the wind prediction for this weekend?

[Geno67]

You're kidding me. No. Going to look at the weather.

[Geno67]

10 kts with 1' seas unless I read that wrong.

[Geno67]

I'm a newb. Is that going to make for a bad time?

[Salty Gator]

I can't pull up noaa right now for some reason, but my other references have winds in the 15-20 mph area for sat and Sunday. Plus it's been blowing from the e or ne all week. We have been trying to get offshore for 5-6 weeks, and we won't be going this weekend. Will probably be sloppy, but you won't know unless you go. Go for it if your feeling it, grass is probably still a factor also. Post up a report . Good luck

[Salty Gator]

This is the noaa forecast for sat and Sunday

Saturday
East winds 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Dominant period 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Slight chance of rain.
Saturday Night
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Protected waters choppy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Sunday
Southeast winds 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. Chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Have Fun

[Geno67]

Thanks SG. Nah, I'll wait for better weather.

[DixieReb]

I thought about going to Panacea today, but it looked like it was too windy so I stayed home and worked on the lawn mower all day. Oh, well.

[big bend gyrene]

Salty's giving you some good scoop. Trolling can be really good nearshore in state waters once temps cool down. As warm as Sept and Oct have been, I would put my money on mid-Nov to early Dec on providing the best results. Last time I went there was no shortage of grass floating... I'd rather drift or just bottom fish than troll when the grass is bad enough to foul your lines every minute or so.

[Carlabear]

WEnt last weekend out of econfina .... too much grass out to troll and noah missed seas report 2 foot or less was 2-4 easy and some 5s not much fun. only caught 23 1/2 inch gags and short reds on the bottom at our usually very productive spots on bottom live pin fish. did have fun and came in and caught 4 good size trout at econfina waiting on the water to rise late saturday afternoon aCaught on chauatruse non gulp with silver flecks paddle tails dragging on bottom. Have only caught one keeper fish trolling this summer. gag.