How Do You Rig A Gag Grouper?

What size hooks for gag grouper?

“They require a 7/0 or 8/0 hook.

How do you target a gag grouper?

Tips and tactics: Look for red grouper in areas with small relief and just plain hard bottom. Ledges and high-profile spots will hold more of the gags and should not be fished. As you move around your target area, watch the bottom machine for 3- to 5-foot rolls.

What is the best bait for gag grouper?

Hard- lure casters use leadhead jigs, mostly, while trollers rely on large deep-diving plugs. Live baitfish of various sorts are the best natural offerings—try Pilchards, Pinfish, Grunts or Sand Perch (Squirrelfish). Dead small fish and large cut baits also work well.

What line do you use for grouper?

Use at least 65lb braided line. The lack of stretch in the line will allow you to keep groupers/ajs from taking you into structure.

What kind of rod do you use for grouper?

When selecting the perfect grouper stick, you’ll want to look for something that’s strong and designed for maximum leverage. I favor grouper rods that are 7’0” or 8’0” in length and rated for nothing less than 50 lb. line, while still exhibiting lightweight attributes to make for enjoyable fishing.

How do you catch gulf grouper?

Grouper can be caught on lures, live bait, and dead bait. My favorite way to catch them if they are shallow is casting jerkbaits in shallow reef areas but a large livebait sent down to the bottom and then lifted a crank or two is probably the most effective way to catch them day in and day out.

Where is the best place to catch grouper?

The best grouper fishing takes place in 120 to 180 feet of water over wrecks or hard bottom (rocks or reef). The Gulf of Mexico is a really large area, so what a lot of guys will do is keep their bottom machines on whenever they’re running while watching for good bottom.

What pound leader should I use?

When deciding what strength of line I should use as a leader line, a personal rule of thumb is 5 lb (~2.2 kg) or the next common line pound test above or below my mainline. Go with a stronger leader line if you’re concerned with abrasion.

How do you get grouper inshore?

The best way to fish for inshore grouper in Florida is to find deeper water with structure like bridge pilings, rock piles and deep dock pilings. Any live bait or fresh dead bait presented to them will be eaten if you get it down to their holes with enough lead weight to pin your bait to the bottom.

Are grunts good bait?

Pigfish make a great bait for catching bottom fish as well as tarpon. Most anglers don’t catch a lot of pigfish at once, but when you do catch a few, put them in your bait bucket.

What is a fish finder rig?

Fish-Finder Rig. The most simple rig is the fish-finder rig. It consists of a leader with a hook, and a barrel swivel is tied to the mainline behind a fish-finder weight slide. The fish-finder rig is ideal for large pieces of bait because an angler can “drop back” to a biting fish, and give it time to ingest the bait.

Do you need wire leader for grouper?

Short Trace: In most cases, a short trace of wire leader will suffice, adding extra security in many situations. Wire works wonders for grouper and snapper, even in shallower waters. Rasp Mouth: Snook and tarpon have raspy mouths that can clamp down on and wear through monofilament leader.

How much drag do you need for grouper fishing?

Senior Member. big grouper need 40 50 drag to stop them from taking you in the rocks, but i have landed 40 pound grouper with 20 pounds of drag before. that is why you need the mono to use the stretch.

What lb braid should I use for snapper?

Standard 4-6kg spin tackle loaded with 20-30lb braid is ideal when targeting snapper in water from 30-50m.

How do you set up a saltwater rig?

Saltwater Rigging Basics

1. Attach a 3-way swivel to the main line using a clinch knot.
2. To the bottom-facing swivel ring, tie a stretch of monofilament (1 to 3 feet)
3. To the end of this line, tie a pyramid sinker.
4. Tie your leader line and hook to the remaining swivel ring.

What is a paternoster rig?

The paternoster rig is a multi-hooked bottom fishing rig best used from an anchored boat or a pier when there’s not much tide running. Slack line should be avoided with this rig, as a biting fish will feel the resistance of the lead and drop the bait, long before it can be registered at the rod tip.

How far should the weight be from the hook?

Depending on the depth, the distance from the hook to the weight needs to be adjusted. For shallower water, it is recommended to place your hook three to six inches above the weight. For deeper water, the hook can be adjusted to nine inches from the weight to no more than a foot and a half because of the leverage.

What is the best grouper to eat?

The smaller size impacts the taste of the red grouper as it has a milder, sweeter flavor. It is the preferred choice by chefs across the U.S. The black grouper has a firmer texture and yields more edible fish content than the red variety. Fresh is always best!

Where is the best place to catch grouper Florida?

Miami. “The Magic City” Is arguably the best place to fish for Grouper in South Florida. There are hundreds of wrecks and reefs available for Grouper fishing, especially if you’re after rare ones like Snowies and Scamps. Of course, the regular Red, Black, Gag, and Goliath Grouper are also available.