How to Catch Grouper in the Gulf of Mexico

During the fall and spring seasons in the clear shallows anglers who fish in the Gulf of

Mexico realize just how many grouper can be caught. It's because they hide in the deep

surrounding rock formations down in the holes of the porous gulf floors.

When Gulf water temperatures dip in late fall, gag grouper move up onto the flats in good

numbers. Sight-casting to grouper? You bet. “They’ll nail a topwater plug or a fly (with a 12-weight, minimum), and even jerk baits

rigged for trout,” says Captain Gregg

• Captain Gregg says serious grouper-fishing Captain Gregg says serious grouper-fishing enthusiasts watch their GPS/depth sounders for enthusiasts watch their GPS/depth sounders for the right surrounding habitat and structure where the right surrounding habitat and structure where they’ll drop live baits using heavy lead sinkers or they’ll drop live baits using heavy lead sinkers or lead feathers with sqiud to the bottom and slowly lead feathers with sqiud to the bottom and slowly drift in the rock formations.drift in the rock formations.

• Captain Gregg says, “I guard these spots with my Captain Gregg says, “I guard these spots with my life!”and avoids excessive exploitation. His life!”and avoids excessive exploitation. His anglers release many grouper, which may be anglers release many grouper, which may be undersized in or out of season, but also larger undersized in or out of season, but also larger ones for conservation reasons (though he ones for conservation reasons (though he acknowledges that there’s nothing wrong with acknowledges that there’s nothing wrong with keeping a few legal fish for dinner).keeping a few legal fish for dinner).

• While finding gags in the shallow rock piles and hidden springs that target this coastline isn’t always easy, for those who know where to look, it can be a remarkable way to catch grouper.

• There are different types of grouper caught in the gulf such as Red, Yellow, Gag, Black and giliath grouper and the gag are seasonal as well as giliath are illegal. The size limits are at least 22" and all put up a tremendous fight like puuling in dead weight.

When You Get a Big Bite• 1. Keep your rod pointed straight down,

and always make sure you are in contact with the bottom.

• 2. Bring your rod straight up, get a turn or two on the reel and hold it there. Don't give an inch.

• 3.The fish will jolt a few times but almost always quit for just a second. That is your window of opportunity.

• In that window, get as much line on the reel as possible. Once you've pulled the fish 12 feet or so off the bottom, it's pretty much game over for the fish.

• The point is to never allow the fish to take any line; if it does, make sure it earns it.

• Captain Gregg says, the secret of course is know when and where.

www.captaingreggfishingcharters.com