Grouper help at Keaton

[Bigdog]

Going trout fishing this weekend at Keaton. I would like some pointers on how to troll for grouper. I have only done a few times... What plugs? What leader? Rods? And last but not least some good area to try. When the trout bite gets slow would like to change over and try for grouper. Any help would be appreciated and I will post our results.
thanks

[rocket]

My first thought is how deep is the water 9 miles off Keaton. I know it stays shallow for a long time over there.

[SCALAWAG]

I think you would be wasting your time trolling in state waters, it's just to shallow. go a little further out and try for red grouper, black sea bass and grunts on bottom. my 2 cents.

[zload]

No personal experience but friends usually pull Mann's Stretch 30s or similar deep diving plug with 60# - 80# leader and braid on the reel. They catch a few here and there, never seen them catch one near KB. The 9 mile line at 244 deg. heading from KB channel #1 puts you in about 24' of water. The Taylor County reef is inside the 9 mile line off KB you might try around it since there are some reef balls or something out there. You can get into some deeper water over near Carabelle, I may head over there myself and give it a try since I have 4 brand new Stretch 30s sitting on my desk!

[Ifishtoo]

Finding grouper trolling inside of state waters is possible, but will require plenty of blind luck. The previous posts are all correct. How big is your rig? 19-20 ft? Go catch a box of pink mouths and sea bass. Learn a little. Get ready for Red Grouper, they will be plentiful in June/July if you get up and launch at daylight and fish before afternoon T-storms. They'll gobble a live squirrel fish, pin fish, pig fish, and yes, a 6-8 inch sea bass.

Plenty of good (30-40') bottom off Keaton Bch and inside of 20 miles. Great bottom 20-25 miles, in 40-55'. Send me a PM, maybe we can get together.

Trolling in 30-40' will find plenty of good future fishin holes...... they will biting in there by May 1.