My bottom fishing rigs

[SeaBiscuit]

Jesse and DJ have asked me to show the rigs I use for grouper fishing, so here they go:

Single J hook bottom rig

This is the rig to use when bottom fishing for groupers only. Good with dead or live bait. Set the hook on the bite.

Two hook chicken rig

The "general" use bottom rig. Big J hooks for groupers, smaller for the rest. Set the hook on the bite.

Slide or Carolina rig

My live bait rig. Used primarily when the fish aren't really chewin, like when the water is hot. Long (5-6 foot) leader and sliding weight make this stealthier than a chicken rig, BUT, they will rock you if you can't feel the bites or react quick enough. When bit, reel to come tight and lift the rod tip to turn the fish's head. Unlike with J hooks, once tight and up off the bottom, you will rarely lose a fish with this rig.

With all above rigs, I typically use 100 lb mono. Lighter mono for the weight loop on the chicken rigs, so that I only leave the sinker on the bottom when it snags. I will go up to 130 lb mono when offshore (120 feet +) as well as for winter time gags (not leader shy).
I drop down to 80 lb fluoro on the slide rig when the fish are not eating good.

In terms of weight, I like the least amount that will get me to the bottom and hold. Inshore (70 -90 feet) this can be 6-10 ounces on the chicken rigs and 4-6 on the slide. Offshore 12 -24 on chicken rigs. I don't like to use more than 8 ounces on the slide rigs, so if that won't hold, I'll fish the chicken rig.

Here's a picture of the hooks I typically use


Again, circles on the slide, J on the chicken rigs.

As far as my rods and reels, I like high speed (4.9 :1) reels with power handles and good drags. I use Daiwa Saltists. a 30 with 65 lb power pro for jigging and 40's and 50's with 80-100 lb power pro for bait fishing. Shimano torium seem to do an equally good job (Slip Slidin uses a torium). Slip also loves his Shimano calcuta 700. These reels are smaller and lighter than the typical 4/0 Penn senator many folks use, but have the guts to handle braid and crank groupers.

Here's a picture of two of my bottom fishing outfits

Long butt Penn Mariner 50-80lb with a Saltist 50 for my "heavy" bottom fishing
65-200 lb Shimano trevala with a Saltist 30 (or 40) for jigging and "light" slide rig fishing

I hope this helps. Ask away if you have any questions
SeaBiscuit

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Daggone if I didn't turn my puter back on right in time to read a five star rigging thread. If you can't learn from this one then quit school. Splendid job "Biscoto". I really appreciate the time and effort you take to share with us your tricks. FIVE STARS FROM HOLWACHAGOT!

[Jesse Lockowitz]

Thanks man, really informative. definately learned from this post!



Couple o questions if u dont mind


1) Do you find jigging to work good around our (NC) waters ?

2) What baits do you prefer, like, if you could have only a few baits out there to drop down, what would they be?




Thanks again biscuit, helping me alot here!



Jesse James

[SeaBiscuit]

Couple o questions if u dont mind

1) Do you find jigging to work good around our (NC) waters ?

2) What baits do you prefer, like, if you could have only a few baits out there to drop down, what would they be?

No problem Jesse.

1) Jigging works good in NC. I mostly jig 3-6 oz stingsilvers offshore (120 feet +) catching scamps, reds & triggerfish. I also jig 1-3 oz stingsilvers inshore in the fall for seabass and gag grouper (catches flounders and togs too). I replace the treble with a heavy single J hook. Some times I use no bait at all in the late fall.

2) Frozen cigar minnows are always in my bait box and pinfish in my livewell

Biscuit

[Jesse Lockowitz]

thanks biscuit.

couple more things on the terminal stuff in ur rigs.



How long are the droppers off of your 3-ways to the hooks?


100lb mono is the usual? except a little lighter on the dropper to the weight, so if that gets hung up, it breaks off and u get most of ur junk back?



Thanks again.




Jesse

[mrfishy]

Nick,

How do you think one of those billfisher rods at Tex will hold up for grouper. I am looking for the cheapest rod that will get the job done. (since I have no money)

[SeaBiscuit]

"How long are the droppers off of your 3-ways to the hooks?"

2-3 feet. MUST be shorter than the swivel to swivel lengths to reduce tangles .


"100lb mono is the usual? except a little lighter on the dropper to the weight, so if that gets hung up, it breaks off and u get most of ur junk back?"

Yes, that's what I said.

Biscuit

[Jesse Lockowitz]

thank you very much. i know others are watching / reading and learning too.


awesome thread and thanks again!




Jesse

[SeaBiscuit]

Nick,

How do you think one of those billfisher rods at Tex will hold up for grouper. I am looking for the cheapest rod that will get the job done. (since I have no money)

It will do fine. My mariners are cheap glass rods as well.
Biscuit

[babalaza]

I always use the sinker way below the hook. very common for me to lose fish with the sinker+leader way, those nasty groupers always move around .. I might lose the sinker but who cares about it