Let's talk Grouper Baits...

[PurpleGold]

Been trying to get better at the grouper fishing thing over the past couple seasons and while I have definitely learned a lot I still have a long way to go, so let's talk about baits.

LIVE BAIT
I have had the most luck with live bait, and the best by far have been live cigars and beeliners. Does anyone use pogies for bait?? I have tried them several times because they are usually readily available but never had any luck with them. Is this just bad luck or are they just not good grouper baits?

DEAD BAIT
Never had much luck with dead baits but the few grouper I have caught on them has been on cut beeliners and even caught a few Reds on AJ belly strips one time. I have tried frozen cigars several times with absolutely no luck. My conclusion here is that the fresher the bait the better, no matter what it is.

I know some of the expert grouper guys on here can offer some insight to their favorite and most reliable baits so help a man out with his grouper skills!

[gottaflylee]

I have caught more Grouper on frozen cigars, Sardines, and Boston Mackerel than any thing else. With Cigars, you are not feeling the bite I'm guessing. Now remember that I use to catch them for a living and this is what we used. Live Pinfish is another great Grouper bait...

[rarhomes]

Pinfish is my favorite.

Capt Rick

[Jared D]

I am with GottaFlyLee... Frozen Cigars are definately the number one dead bait... or any bait.

I would say they have moods. They seem to have days when only live bait gets eaten, and other days they will only eat dead bait. I think it has a lot to do with water temp and (more likely) water clarity. Even when the surface is clean, it doesnt mean 80-150 feet below the water is. Those days seem to favor big stink bait.

For me, I like long strip baits (bonita, b-liner, AJ, kingfish) or big daytona (butterflied is another name used for that style bait) baits. I use everything for this... seabass, b-liner, grunt, porgy, basically you name it, I will use it.

I have done OK with pogies. They work well BUT sharks seem to find them super fast due to there oil content. I would much rather use something else live for bait, but they do work. For live bait I like grunts, b-liners, seabass (with dorsal cut off) pin fish, cigar, sardines, boston, squirrel fish etc etc.

Grouper will eat ANYTHING. You just got to get it in front of them... thats where dead bait works well... they will sniff out a dead bait. The key is having the bait down there long enough so it will stink up the area. Thats why big baits do well. Little fish pick at them like crazy and that gets the sent going plus gets the groupers attention, yet there is still something left for the gag once you lure him out of his lair. With a small bait, there won't be anything left.

Cigars work well if you rig em properly (rigged through the tail like you would a weedless worm) and keep them frozen until you put the hook in (makes it harder for the little fish to rob you). Frozen Cigars catch so many cuz they are probably the most used dead bait by people who bottom fish.

[clt_capt]

For dead bait Grouper fishing I have had the most success with frozen cigar minnows, tipped with a a bit of squid. I think the squid helps to keep the cigar on the hook...

I've done a little comparative research (fishing side by side) with some friends and I seem to get an extra bite or 2 - and I don't even mind getting laughed at for the squid - they shut up when I pull a pig over the rail

[swell rider]

I've been very fortunite to have learned the Grouper game from one of the best in the business..As far as baits go I keep it simple:

1. Start with small baits, Sardines, cigar minnows for at least the first 3 or 4 drops..The reason being is you want to create a little feeding frenzy with the small fish. Also, try a variation with the way you present the smaller bait, two through the eyes, single bait chin hooked, single bait double hooked through the tail. You'll be surprised how well this works and take note of whats working..Patience!!!!! This is why most guys don't like to fish small baits..Learn to know what a grouper bite feels like and don't leave bare hooks down, it's a quick process when the bites stop bring it up.

2. When you start with the bigger baits use Mackeral, depending on the size cut then in 1/2 or 1/3..Pogies work real well, little secret cut the belly from the chin to the ass and let the juice's flow. Also when using bigger cut baits that are dead butterfly them and take the back bone out..
3. I personlly don't use alot of live bait but if your going too, use what's in the area your fishing and either chin hook or anal hook the bait.
4. The biggest problem I see with guys trying to learn how to Grouper fish is not wanting to learn how to anchore..VERY IMPORTANT!!!!! Yes drifting has it's place at times but I will out fish you every time on the hook.. Learning how to set up on a piece is what will make or break your sucess..I watch guys throw the hook in no mans land all the time and wonder why Im catching and there not.
5. The best way to really learn all this is to fish with someone who has it dialed in and see hands on how it's done.

If you aren't getting the results you want give me a shout..Im out of town currently taking care of my Dad who's very sick with Cancer but when I get back to NC later this fall I'd be glad to take you out and show you how it's done...Ken

[Captain Michael Buffington]

and my go to bait is live sow pinfish and if I cant get those I also like blue runners and after that its what I can catch.

My rig is what makes the difference. I'll fish right next to people and drag one after another out of the rig while they dont get a bite. Three full pulls of 200 fluoro(about 18-20 feet), appropriate sized mustad circle snelled, swivel on other end and a 12-24oz egg sinker above the swivel. Its just a long ass carolina rig. Thats my warsaw rig. You can downsize for inshore gags. If they dont eat that, they aint there.

Mike

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I am with GottaFlyLee... Frozen Cigars are definately the number one dead bait... or any bait.

I would say they have moods. They seem to have days when only live bait gets eaten, and other days they will only eat dead bait. I think it has a lot to do with water temp and (more likely) water clarity. Even when the surface is clean, it doesnt mean 80-150 feet below the water is. Those days seem to favor big stink bait.

For me, I like long strip baits (bonita, b-liner, AJ, kingfish) or big daytona (butterflied is another name used for that style bait) baits. I use everything for this... seabass, b-liner, grunt, porgy, basically you name it, I will use it.

I have done OK with pogies. They work well BUT sharks seem to find them super fast due to there oil content. I would much rather use something else live for bait, but they do work. For live bait I like grunts, b-liners, seabass (with dorsal cut off) pin fish, cigar, sardines, boston, squirrel fish etc etc.

Grouper will eat ANYTHING. You just got to get it in front of them... thats where dead bait works well... they will sniff out a dead bait. The key is having the bait down there long enough so it will stink up the area. Thats why big baits do well. Little fish pick at them like crazy and that gets the sent going plus gets the groupers attention, yet there is still something left for the gag once you lure him out of his lair. With a small bait, there won't be anything left.

Cigars work well if you rig em properly (rigged through the tail like you would a weedless worm) and keep them frozen until you put the hook in (makes it harder for the little fish to rob you). Frozen Cigars catch so many cuz they are probably the most used dead bait by people who bottom fish.

This is a gem of information. The little I know about Grouper fishing...or at least the way I feel like works best...falls right in line with Jared D's reply. Great response.

and my go to bait is live sow pinfish and if I cant get those I also like blue runners and after that its what I can catch.

My rig is what makes the difference. I'll fish right next to people and drag one after another out of the rig while they dont get a bite. Three full pulls of 200 fluoro(about 18-20 feet), appropriate sized mustad circle snelled, swivel on other end and a 12-24oz egg sinker above the swivel. Its just a long ass carolina rig. Thats my warsaw rig. You can downsize for inshore gags. If they dont eat that, they aint there.

Mike

Does the longer leader increase your chances of getting rocked? Are you using the boat at hookup to power away from structure? Electrics?
A friend of mine from Hatteras swears by the long leader...he claims that in addition to stealth....it allows your bait to fall naturally the last several feet giving the gluttons a good look and a presentation they are less likely to resist.
Holwachagot

[WahooKing]

We slow troll on the bottom for them in the Bahamas in 60-100ft...Stealth is out the door with this species...Wire line outfits and long cable leaders...We make our leaders longer than the depth we are fishing...If we catch bottom, we cut the leader to save the wire on our outfits...We use Jap. trolling feathers, double hooks and a fake Bonita strip...It is the most consistent and fastest way to land big Blacks in the Islands...Prior to the regs, we used to fill up a 320 ssi in less than 2 hrs...Most fish average between 40-80lbs...20lb YF Grouper mixed in the bunch too.

Anthony
Ace Fishing Lures

[Captain Michael Buffington]

mostly due to my drivingI use the boat for manual reels. With the rig you have to pull him between the legs and not across them which happens from time to time. Last time we did it we were using electrics and the long leader out did the 6 foot leader 4 to 1. I think that bait get a chance to run around more and looks more natural. I was skeptical until I saw it consistently outfish a short one.

Mike