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Any advice on trolling for grouper for a newby troller? Whats your favorite Stretch25-30 colors ? What size line do you prefer.What speed do you troll at? Im sure the more I go the more Ill learn but I just need a few good pointers to get me started.TIA.

Don

my favorite colors are the redhead, blueback mylar, and chartreuse/green stretch 30s. Try to troll them between 4-6 knots along ledges, bowls, rocks, and wrecks. My favorite grouper set up is a shimano tld 25 spooled with 50lb. ande mono. For leader i prefer 120lb tied with or without the barrel swivel. be sure to leave one line short and one long so they don't cross and tangle up when you are turning around. good luck.

What ab7 said cept I use 40# Cajun Red line

I use the same set-up as ab7 minus the leader. I've also had great luck with the bass pro laser eyes lures. They're about the same size as the stretch 30's, just a lot cheaper!

The stretch 30's in PINK and Chart. have been big hitters. The MYLAR stretch 30's in Chart. have been very good. The PINK has been the best from what I've heard and seen.

good info guys.Thanks.

wevans wrote:What ab7 said cept I use 40# Cajun Red line

Same here cept I use 30# cajun red line & 50# floro leader.The fire tiger stretch 30 has been my overall best thru the years.

Do you guys use snaps on the lures or do you tie straight to the lure? I always use a snap on any trolling lure to give it more action but I don't know about Grouper. I'm hoping to find out this year as I cut some inshore fishing down to give it a try.

I almost always use a snap swivel. Makes changing lures easy.

I've had great luck using 80#-100# mono with a simple snap swivel and 2-3 ft. of mono leader. I usually only troll a red/white Stretch 30 about 150 ft. behind in depths of 40-75 ft. at 3-4 kts. I've caught just about everything worth catching in the gulf with that color. I've caught many 12-25 lb. grouper this way as long as the rock bass don't get to it first. They'll hit a plug as big as they are!!!!

Here's a pic from one of the last trolling expeditions where a rockie bit off more than he could chew and so "something" else returned the favor to it

good info on plugs and reel,what about rods? whats your preference?

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Big Water Rods
7' heavy action/ 15-40#line/ 1-6 oz lure wt.
Cabela's Depthmaster Gold Trolling Linecounter Reels

My favorite are Star Rods
Handcrafted a 6'6" (30-50#)
Delux 5'9" (30-60#)
the 6'6" and shorter have more backbone when bottomfishing so it makes them verstile.

Most of the Star Rods have a lifetime warranty too. That's always good cause i've had one burn in an engine fire.

Shimano TLD 25 or TLD 20 is the ticket. I use the TLD 25.

sounds like I have enough info to get me in the game ! I look forward to getting the right conditions to run out and give it a try. I plan to hit the flats around Iggy this weekend.If anyones out and sees the white Polar Bayboat give me a shout. Appreciate all the good info.Now Ill just have to find a few good spots to give it a try.

Thanks.
Don