5-22-11 SSP Report

[redneckrob]

Went out with my buddy last night around 6-8 pm to catch some good fishing on the outgoing tide. Pretty crowded towards the end of the pier as usual so we set up south of the bait shop. Tested a new grouper rig with beads and 1 1/2 ounce egg sinker with a 6/0 hook on some 50# leader.

Bait was scarce up until we saw greenbacks running around the west span. Only got a total of 6 on the sabiki and one small pin fish.

My first green back was very small and I casted him out right of a rock pile since the wind and current were moving the bait slightly left on the cast.

I got hammered around 7:45 pm by a big grouper and cut off my leader in the rocks. I'm going to buy 80# fluorocarbon next time and definitely have the drag (which I think maxes at 17#'s) very tight.

I was mad the entire evening and besides that bite, nothing else happened. No bait, no fish, and no luck at all.


On another note, I do have a few questions regarding my grouper rig/setup.

Would a larger hook such as a 7/0 or 8/0 be too big?

If I put 80# Flouro on with a 200# swivel and 65# braid mainline, could I set my drag to max and not worry about a break off? I use a Sargus 4000 and I think that reel might be too light for the big fish.

Also when is the best time to get bait? Is it related to the tides?

Thanks!

[bill jacques]

Thats the same line and leader i use and still get broken off. Also I usually use a 7/0 circle hook for pinfish and a 5/0 for whitebait. I find more bait on the incoming tide on the gulf side. usually get there about an hour before high to get bait and wait for the outgoing for grouper

[BigDawg71]

have you seen the mouth on a grouper? you could probably go bigger and have no problems. Bill is right on in regards to using a smaller size hook for whitebait, those bigger hooks can really kill those sensitive white baits.

[redneckrob]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if a 7/0 or 8/0 might be more likely to snag up or kill the bait easier. And thanks for the bait tip, will definitely have to plan around the incoming tide.

[havetofish]

Yeah, Agree with Bill...no problem with 7/0 or 8/0 for pins and your line/leader is fine. Locking down the drag is fine. You have to remember, unless you catch a Gag out in the open, it only takes a little bit of line and a second for him to snatch a bait from out of his hole. Once he's in there and flares his gills, your pretty much done, unless you can try and wait for him to move again. If your not gonna hold your rod, then you'll never be quick enough for a snatch and run. This is why you see somes guys reeling and doing the backward 2 step, just to get as much line back as fast as possible. So a reel with a high retrieve ratio helps also.
Like Bill said, get there for the incoming tide for white bait. They will face the current and stay in the shadow line usually. On the outgoing they are on the other side and pretty much out of reach.

[BigDawg71]

May 23, 2011 14:16:59 GMT -5 havetofish said:

This is why you see somes guys reeling and doing the backward 2 step, just to get as much line back as fast as possible. So a reel with a high retrieve ratio helps also.

ah yes, the Ol' Skyway Shuffle!

[tylerdurden]

I second the skyway shuffle, i use it whereever I am grouper fishing and have the room

[BigDawg71]

yeah it's either that or the ol' crank and yank!

[bill jacques]

Thats what I like about my baitrunners, 1 crank is 3 feet