First time to the area

[Chuck232]

This is my first time posting on here, I’m hoping to get down to the Big Bend area for the first time in a couple of weeks. I live above Atlanta (please don’t hold it against me, I was born and raised in Jacksonville so I’m not all bad) but my stepdaughter now lives in Tallahassee, so I figure I should learn the area. I have a 23’ CC, I fish for stripers up here and get down to Panama City, Jacksonville or the Ga coast a few times a year, but I am interested in learning trolling for Grouper in the shallower water. I have been checking out this forum and have gotten a lot of good information from it.

My biggest question is where should I go, St Marks or Carrabelle, or somewhere in between, where I would have the best chance of stumbling on a Grouper or two with only the public numbers to go by? I know I have to put the time in to find good spots of my own, but it would be nice to catch something while learning.

And the one thing I have not seen is anyone mention how the drag should be set when trolling a stretch plug. Does it have to be tight to pull the Grouper away from the rocks or should it be set light so the plug doesn’t rip out of their mouths?

And does anyone have any advise on a good place to stay in the area, where the parking lot is big enough for the boat and in an area where it is less likely to be broken into. (a lot of motels have very limited maneuvering room I don't want to pull in a parking lot and not be able to turn around)

Thanks for any help you folks can give me on these questions, and if you have any other advise please let me know.

[Chalk]

Welcome aboard....I'd say Carrabelle...drag tight enough to set the hook on the fish but loose enough not to rip it out of their mouths.

[birddog]

What Chalk said and you can stay at the Moorings in Carrabelle.

[Chalk]

The few times I have trolled that would equate to just tight enough that the drag didn't slip at 5 mph...Wevans and Tom Keels are the troll masters though

[sundown]

My nickles worth, I like ST Marks...There are three public reefs you can fish..best bet though is to run south to 17' and start trolling watching your fishfinder constantly..be amazed what all you find out there watching the bottom.. I went last week though and all I caught was black bass and lizard fish...Lost one nice fish that I assumed was a grouper..As far as drag, I usually tighten them down tight as I can with my hand...If I ever had a tear out I don't know it....Also Shell Island Fish Camp is an excellent place to stay..I've never had any trouble with anyone messing with my boat or vehicle when I was there.Plus very friendly people own and run it...

[MudDucker]

I live above Atlanta (please don’t hold it against me, I was born and raised in Jacksonville so I’m not all bad)

Hey....whaz up wid knockin Lanta. I was born in Lanta.

It seems quite a bit smarter to be "from" Lanta living down her in God's country rather than being from down here and livin in Lanta

j/k welcome aboard and good luck grupa gruntin'

[Chuck232]

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate any help I can get, with the price of gas it's a killer hauling the boat that far, but I didn't buy it to sit in the drive way. It would be nice to have a little luck.

Does anybody use downriggers? I have two on the boat but have never used them much.

[What a mess]

Folks do the downrigger thing with jigs & live and hard baits.

Not so much around here more down south but I bet it would work here too.