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Jigging gargantuan grouper is becoming an increasingly popular west coast pastime. Maybe this will help you understand why.
Spark a conversation with a fellow angler or read an article about jig
fishing and most assume you’re talking about shallow water flats
fishing. We envision a slow drift across turtle grass casting a
1/4-ounce skimmer jig in the hopes of fooling big trout and redfish.
But, while light weight jigs have proven to be incredibly effective inshore baits and are a main stay in every flats fisherman’s tackle bag, their bigger cousins can be just what the doctor ordered for scoring slob grouper off Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Using jigs to entice monster bottom dwellers is nothing new, though the tactic seldom seems to get the attention it is due. This versatile approach to offshore fishing allows anglers of all skill levels and interests to target deepwater species with simple but effective techniques.
Fishermen and guides in the Florida Keys have been using jigs to entice grouper and snapper for decades, but only in recent years have anglers along the Gulf caught on to this highly effective and exciting tactic. Now, I know a few of you are thinking to yourselves, “I’ve been using jigs offshore forever, what‘s this guy talking about?” Of course there are those of you who have, but for most, fishing for grouper with artificial jigs is relatively new.
While using jigs to target offshore species is becoming increasingly popular along both sides of the State, it wasn’t until recently that west coast sinker bouncers realized what fishing feats could be accomplished by combining a six- to 10-ounce jig head with a large plastic grub. In fact, area guide Capt. Dan Hicks boxed a mammoth 54-pound gag on that very same combination just last season. In the past, my clients aboard the Gotta’Go have caught impressive red and gag grouper in the 30-pound class using similar lures. Lighter jig combinations have also become popular replacements for diving plugs when slow trolling for near-shore grouper. So which jigs are most effective and how and when do we fish them?
When selecting a jig, look for lures with natural hair and quality hooks. Buck tail is probably the most productive and durable of the natural fibers commonly tied on both inshore and offshore jigs. In my experience, SPRO Prime Bucktails and Mission Fishin’ Jigs have been the most productive along the entire Gulf Coast. Both come in a variety of colors and sizes, are very durable and have proven highly effective on an array of offshore species.
For grouper, the color of the jig-head isn’t nearly as important as the color of the skirt or tail. I’ve found that predominately white skirts paired with glow-colored curly or boot tail grubs out perform just about any other combination in most offshore jigging applications. Tasteful accents of blue, green or black buck tail or flash will add an extra dimension of depth to your jig, but white is universally effective in almost all saltwater arenas. Add a Spanish sardine or squid strip to your bucktail combination for extra scent, and you’re ready to go grouper jigging.
When fishing vertically, 4-ounce jigs coupled with 6-inch glow tails should be your ‘go to’ bait. Jigs this size will allow you to effectively cover all portions of the water column to about 200 feet. However, 8-inch tails on heavier jigs (6- 8-ounces) will allow you to fish deeper water and stronger current. When slow trolling near-shore wrecks and reefs, bounce 4-ounce SPRO Jigs matched with 6-inch pink or chartreuse glitter Bubba’s Super Grub Tails.
To rig, splice a 4-foot section of 50 to 80lb. monofilament leader to the main line using a double surgeons knot. Then, tie the jig to the leader using your favorite terminal knot. Barrel knots work well for trolling, but, much like inshore fishing, loop knots such as the Homer Rode or Rapala knot seem to improve jigging action in all conditions.
Next, carefully lace a grub tail onto the jig-head. Then, take a whole sardine, preferably fresh, and pinch off the tail. Place the sardine by running the hook through both eyes so that it swings freely. Be sure the body of the sardine and the grub tail are properly aligned before dropping your presentation. Squid will work for this application, but I have found that the biggest grouper prefer oilier meat in most jigging situations.
Having fresh bait is a good start, but if your tackle isn’t matched properly to the weight of your terminal gear and the size of your intended quarry, all of your preparations will quickly go down the drain. Use stout 7-foot rods in the 30 to 60-pound class. Fast retrieve reels should be matched to the size of your rods. I prefer Daiwa Sealine 350s and 400s or high-speed Penn 113Hs.
Spool with quality 50-lb. monofilament or your favorite braided line. If you too are a fan of new superline, this is the perfect place to put it to good use. Thinner diameters and higher breaking thresholds combined with zero stretch and ultra sensitivity make braid a perfect match for jig fishing in deep water. The deeper you fish or the stronger the current, the better the superlines perform. Don’t be alarmed, mono works well in most situations, but once you hit the 200-foot mark, it becomes necessary to fish a line with superior hydrodynamics. I recommend at least 80lb.braid for most bottom fishing applications with name brand a personal preference.
While jigging over high profile wrecks and ledges can be productive, drifting areas of hard bottom is where jig fishing for grouper is most effective. Target areas of hard bottom (locally known as cheese bottom) or rock outcroppings and breaks from 90 feet out to 300 feet. Look for any indication of life on your bottom machine. You don’t necessarily need to mark large numbers of fish on your color scope for a spot to be productive. In fact, areas of truly good bottom will often conceal the presence of many of the fish relating to that particular stretch of structure. Also, some of the biggest territorial grouper have been caught off small chunks of bottom showing only a smidge of life.
When jig fishing areas of hard bottom, you’ll find the majority of your catch will consist of reds. Red grouper simply outnumber all other family members. However, once in a while, mostly on the retrieve, you’ll get slammed and pinned to the gunwale by a gigantic gag. It’s these moments that we all wait for.
Target rock piles and breaks in deep water and you’ll find a variety of fish including Warsaw, red, black, snowy and gag grouper along with a number of delectable snapper species including true American reds, mutton and yellow-eyes.
Once you’ve located a fishy looking area, drop the jig to the bottom and retrieve it about a foot. Match the jig size to the depth of water your fishing and to the amount of current. When fishing 200 feet or more, try to plan your trips on days when light currents are predicted, as it is often difficult to present your baits properly in deep water with strong currents. For best results, your jig should occasionally bounce off the bottom, kicking up a puff of sand. When targeting grouper, anglers should avoid excessive jigging action. Let the motion of the boat do most of the work for you. On calm days, it may be necessary to impart additional ‘life’ to the jig by lifting and dropping it erratically.
If after a few minutes you haven’t gotten a strike, or if you’ve felt only a couple of light taps, reel the jig up and check the sardine or squid. Short grouper and pesky juvenile snapper will often steal the bait without being hooked. If the bait is okay, drop it back down. This is actually not a bad thing as the majority of your strikes will come as the jig is descending. If you haven’t boxed a keeper grouper by the fourth or fifth drop, it’s probably time to move on to the next spot.
As previously mentioned, under ideal conditions,the most effective way to grouper fish with a jig is slowly drifting across an area of hard bottom. Ideal drift speeds are about one knot. Much faster and the jig will lose contact with the bottom, requiring you to pay out more line to keep the lure in the strike zone. If your drift is too fast, use a sea anchor to create drag. If it’s really windy or the current is too strong to present your jig effectively, use your motor(s) to hold you place. Position the stern into the wind and pop in and out of reverse to hold your position.
When you hook up, quickly deploy a buoy marker or hit ‘SAVE’ on the plotter. It will serve as a reference point to set up the next drift. Fish the area thoroughly until the bite slows, then reposition back up wind and start another drift. Adjust slightly off your previous path of travel to avoid repeatedly fishing the same stretch. If you find fish holding tight in only a small area, you may want to try anchoring and dropping down some live or cut bait along with the jigs. Fish holding in tight groups generally indicate a defined ledge or tight break in the bottom structure providing good cover for both predators and prey.
Another species that often fall hard for big bucktails is amberjack. If you’re into sore arms and sunburn, try dropping a 4-ounce jig over a wreck or deep water spring. Use your scope to mark the fish, then drop the jig to the desired depth and hang on! When targeting AJs, there is less need for a natural tip, but you will need to work the jig a bit more erratically. My best results have come from sweeping the rod up quickly and reeling down the slack. Repeat this motion three or four times. If you don’t get slammed, drop the jig farther and start over.
Heavy spinning tackle or a 30-pound jig rod works better than a standard grouper rig for this application. Lighter tackle will not only allow you to present the jig more effectively, but more comfortably. What’s more, once you’ve hooked a healthy AJ, you’ll enjoy the battle even further on a spinner than on a heavy grouper winch.
Next time you head offshore to do a little grouper digging, try dropping a jig down and see what comes up. In fact, you may want to throw a few bucks in a hat and let the other guys on the boat use cut bait while you stick with a jig. I know who I would put my money on.
Helpful hints for offshore grouper jigging:
- Keep your bag of glow tails and grubs in direct sunlight to energize them.
- Match the weight of the jig-head to the conditions you are fishing.
-In 80 to 180 feet and light current, 4- to 6-ounce jigs with 5 and 6-inch grub tails are ideal.
-In 200 feet or more, 8-ounce jigs with 8-inch tails are more appropriate.
-When fishing deeper than 200 feet or in sever currents, increase jig weight to 12-ounces.
- Braided line out performs mono for this style of fishing, especially in deeper water.
- Use the freshest bait you can get your hands on to tip the jigs.
- Pinch the tails off the sardine for scent and straighten the body to stream line the bait.
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Black & Gag Grouper:
24” Atlantic & Monroe County 2 per/person per/day*
22” Gulf (Excluding Monroe County)*
Red Grouper:
20” 2 per/person per/day Gulf*
Scamp Grouper:
20” Atlantic & Monroe County*
16” Gulf (Excluding Monroe County)*
Mutton Snapper:
16” Gulf & Atlantic**
American Red Snapper:
20” Atlantic 2 per/person per/day**
16” Gulf 4 per/person per/day**
Closed November 1 – April 14 Gulf only.
*Included within 5 grouper per/day aggregate bag limit
**Included within 10 snapper per/day aggregate bag limit
Bio: Capt. Randy Rochelle
Capt. Randy Rochelle runs Islander Charters out of St. Petersburg, Florida and specializes in offshore fishing for grouper, snapper, tuna, kingfish and amberjack. Rochelle currently runs a Pro Sports 2860 CC ProKat which rides on a Load Master Trailer and is powered by twin 225’s Hondas. He competes in and has won or placed in numerous tournaments throughout the Gulf of Mexico and east coast. Rochelle currently hosts “The Dockside Fishing Show” with Capt. Wade Osborne on WTPN 570 and 910AM Friday evenings from 8 to 9pm. He’s the former offshore field editor for Saltwater Angler Magazine and has been featured on several TV fishing shows. To book a trip with Capt. Randy Rochelle call (727) 365-3218 or e-mail him at islandercharters@verizon.net.
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