Grouper Fishing
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Grouper Fishing
Hey, I will be on a business trip next week so the week after that I plan on doing some grouper fishing. I check Jerry's website every weeks and saw that the grouper fishing was pretty good on the nearshore reefs. I have an 18 foot Scout and I was wondering what are some good places you guys have been hearing about lately around St Marks? Also what are the Live Bait of choice?
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Frank Bradfield
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- Joined: February 26th, 2002, 8:00 pm
- Location: Econfina
Live is the key word here. Any live bait will great. Most people are chosing dead because live is hard to find. If your not sure where your going your best bet is hit 20+ ft with Stretch 25s and hunt fish and maybe a spot to drop on. Be careful, watch the weather, the water is around 60 , you don't want to get into anything bad in an 18fter... Good luck !
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Redfish Jim
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- Location: Tallahassee
Like Frank says, live bait is best if you already got proven spots to fish.
I think I would go with trolling stretch 25's or similar in 20'+. Fire tiger design or red head with white body are proven producers for me. I would visit FWC website and get coordinates for artificial reefs nearshore. St. Marks, Rotary, Wakulla, Dog Ballard and the marker 24 barge are some that you could probably get out to comfortably on a good day in a small boat like yours. All of these are located in good areas with natural hard bottom so you should also explore the areas around these spots.
This kind of fishing seems to peak for me during November and the early part of December before the water temp goes below 60 for good. It will pick back up again in late March or early April if this year is like the last few. I have caught a grouper on my last three trips in slightly less than 20' so there's still at least a few hanging around (but the water temp was back into the 60's).
Also reiterate the word of caution. While we have some of our most pleasant and predictable weather this time of year, you have very little margin for error if things happen to go wrong. If you are forced to go for a swim in 60 degree or less water, there is a real strong possibility that you will not survive.
Be careful, good luck and be sure to send us a report
I think I would go with trolling stretch 25's or similar in 20'+. Fire tiger design or red head with white body are proven producers for me. I would visit FWC website and get coordinates for artificial reefs nearshore. St. Marks, Rotary, Wakulla, Dog Ballard and the marker 24 barge are some that you could probably get out to comfortably on a good day in a small boat like yours. All of these are located in good areas with natural hard bottom so you should also explore the areas around these spots.
This kind of fishing seems to peak for me during November and the early part of December before the water temp goes below 60 for good. It will pick back up again in late March or early April if this year is like the last few. I have caught a grouper on my last three trips in slightly less than 20' so there's still at least a few hanging around (but the water temp was back into the 60's).
Also reiterate the word of caution. While we have some of our most pleasant and predictable weather this time of year, you have very little margin for error if things happen to go wrong. If you are forced to go for a swim in 60 degree or less water, there is a real strong possibility that you will not survive.
Be careful, good luck and be sure to send us a report