Trolling for grouper

[Blackout]

I remember reading an article on trolling for grouper with deep diving plugs about a year ago. Went out and bought a Mann's 30+ and a Rapala 25. I try almost every time I go out, just trolling on shallow reefs and ledges (30-50 ft.) at about 2-3 knts, but haven't gotten a single bite. Are any of you guys doing this with any success? If so, how deep and at what speed are you going? Also, does direction with relation to the current matter? Any help would be appreciated, I need at least one fish to justify $40 worth of plastic...

Thanks

[DIRTYFOOT2]

This technique really works well on areas that don't see much angling pressure. If your in Miami, your going to have to have to drift or anchor some pretty botttom or a wreck w/ a fresh dead or sweet live bait and some stout tackle to get that grouper. If you do live in Miami and want to learn about bottom fishing your area hire Capt. Jim on The Beast for a charter. He will teach you a few tricks. Or pm Disco Luis. He can rig you something better to troll than those plugs for grouper

[Disco Lady]

I'm the (Master Baiter) of the reef down south COÑO!!!!!!!!!!
You could hire me in the winter. I'll show you some Blacks, on that reef but leave those plugs at home.

DL,

[TTesterman]

sometimes plastics are better used as drink cups... . rig the hoos, feathers, twin 10/0's and skirts together and head south.

[Disco Lady]

[Capt. JJ]

Trolling for grouper is a lot easier 50 miles east of here.

[Captain Juan]

Trolling plugs works great over good bottom and in areas with lower fishing pressure. The red and white stretch 30 has always worked best for me especially in places like the Ginger Breads or just off the Orange Cays where I've nailed blacks, nassaus, reds and tigers. I have also done well trolling ledges off Cedar Key in the Gulf for gags. About 3 to 4 knots seems like the best speed. Remember not to back off the throttle after the initial hit to ensure the grouper can't hole you up.

My favorite way to catch nice grouper is to live bait or deep jig. But occasionally, I will troll for em in the right conditions.

Good luck.

Juani

[DonK]

Originally Posted by Capt. JJ

Trolling for grouper is a lot easier 50 miles east of here.

...east, across the pond the groupies hit trolled stuff.

A couple years ago, this 35# Black nailed a baitless wahoo rig in 60' at close to 18knt.
We were heading to deeper water from bottom jigging, and my buddy prematurely let the lure out on wire line as I was spinning up the motors to run out. When it hit I was certain we caught bottom!

[DIRTYFOOT2]

wahoo? I thought that 4lb lead and wire line was for grouper trollin

[Disco Lady]

Nice......Black,Donk Wire Line!!! now your talking bro.

Cheers,DL

[DonK]

tanx guys!
Old habits die hard...I still like fish monel + big cigar weights + ridiculously long shock cords...it always produces something for box

[Disco Lady]

Old School.... Brother.

[Capt. JJ]

Yeah. I love the wire. I even fish 100' shocks on my planer baits. Good on 'ya!

[lcosta02]

yellow lead head with blue and green skirt... with a green bonito strip.

very productive in the Bahamas at least.

[jaymasters@hotmail.com]

First off your trolling way to slow for a 30. Six to nine MPH, let it out behind the boat until you feel it bumping the bottom then reel in four to six cranks and hang on! PS Try PINK ANDY mono leader and you'll hook up way more fish. Capt Jay FatCatFishingCharters.com

[weekley rehab]

I have had luck with red / white rapala in the keys, but normally smaller grouper. to get big ones pinfish live baited off bottom will find you the big ones. run them raps all the time trolling even in deeper water, but closer to boat as they have always produced wahoo, dolphin, kings, etc.

[Disco Lady]

I am the King! off trolling the reef. The problem is they are shutting them down starting Jan 2010 Ñoooooooo!!!!:evi l:but come May watch out groupers Disco" is going to hit you hard.

DL,

[WhItEoUt 23]

Now thats what i like to hear!!!Noooooooooooooo!!!:reelin g:

[down-rigger]

ive caught a black on troll,i have also been on the boat with a 25lb black on the top line in 90ft of water and 15lb blacks in 70ft of water this happens more often now

[triplethreat1]

go try 50 miles south of key west or in new ground, amazing bottom with very little fishing pressure results in ginormous grouper and they are about hungry for anything and everything just watch them bulls and lemons

[d-a]

We catch them all the time in the northern gulf. I usually run two shallow running lures off the down riggers. They run 3-5 feet deep and when I put them off the down rigger I can control there depth better. I still run 3-4 kts with them. The stretch's I have are all for Hoo's, and there ran at 6-7 knts. I know of several guys that troll only the stretch 30's in the area i fish and they catch just as many as i do. One thing about them is if you use Braided line as your main line and a wind-on you will get down deeper and can reach a depth of 50 ft with them.

d-a

[jaymasters@hotmail.com]

A 6 oz Jigs slow trolling will get you a few Grouper in the boat and not that expensive when you lose them. Slow, Slow trolling with a Power Pro line behind your leader will help to get it down where the big ones are.
fatcatfishingcharts.net

[novomarine]

Trolling is for