Grouper jigging technique?

[inicoll]

Hi all,
What would you guy consider the best technique for targeting grouper? I mean do I just bounce the jig up & down a foot or so from the bottom or should I rip the jig up 30ft?
How far (if at all) would a grouper chase a jig off the bottom?
Do they prefer a fast or slow retrieve?
Thanks for your input.
Ian.

[Sea Draggin]

Inocoll,
For grouper you want to be maintaining contact with the bottom at the lowest point using a yo-yo style of jigging. It must kick up the sand/mud or something and get them going. I have found that even up off the bottom just a little and I will not get grouper bite.

That being said, there is a technique I have used some this year where you let out a lot of line and are jigging at an angle (not vertical) Normally this is something we avoid. But the jig going sideways across the bottom will sometimes get a bite (vs. straight up and down) but be ready to loose some jigs doing this.

In the middle of this video I demonstrate the initial hopping (2:50 mark), before mechanical jigging. That is for grouper, because often they will hit the jig on the first drop as soon as it hits the bottom, so I always give it a try.

[inicoll]

Really? Wow, I'm learning so much here.
Since this is not really "jigging" in the normal sense, is it worth adding some dead bait to the stinger? Plus, would an 8 inch length of wire from the leader to jig put grouper off? Would they see it at 600ft in the dark?, I ask this because this is what I normally do due to the large amount of barracuda here.
Thanks so much again Sea Draggin for all your help.
Ian.

[Jiggin Junkie]

inicoll, At that depth the grouper shouldn't see a wire trace but you can also cover it up with a piece of hollow braid or kevlar also. You will also want to use flourescent jigs at that depth. Bouncing the jig on the bottom is definitely the way you catch grouper. Sea Draggins jigs are also the bomb for jigging.

[mythosbeer]

Like Sea Draggin said, you always want the jig to be on the bottom when you are at the bottom of your jigging motion. I like to jerk it hard off the bottom to kick up the sand. The tip of my rod moves probably 5 feet when doing this and then let the jig flutter back down. This lets the jig cover a little more water too as it will change ground positions slightly while fluttering down.

Mitch

[inicoll]

Thanks Mitch, So does a Grouper inhale the jig off the bottom (I mean while it is lying on the sea bed doing nothing? or does it hit as it flutters back down after jerking it up?

Ian.

[mythosbeer]

Usually when I go to jerk the rod back up...the grouper is already on. I don't feel half the bites of the grouper I catch. I like to let it flutter back down with as little restriction from the rod as possible to maximize the jig action. I think the grouper hit while its fluttering back down.

[Fishin-N-Wishin]

Seadraggon,
Nice video and enjoyed the music!

[KeepItReel]

They seem to always hit on the fall of the jig. So be ready for that thump. You can always put bait on the jig, but this will make the jig sink slower so you may need to use a heavier jig to get down to and keep it on the bottom. Bucktails with bait...live or dead work, but you will have to use a HUGE bucktail to get to 600 feet.