Trolling For Grouper Question

sgrosenb

Hi all - I've been seeing and reading that trolling for Grouper outside Gordon's pass can be effective. I've tried it twice now, to no avail. I'm obviously doing something wrong so I figured I'd post on here in search of some help. My tactic has been to fish in roughly 30-45 feet of water (sometimes around structure - sometimes not), using 20-25ft diving baits, much like the Rapala X-Rap Magnum Divebait. I'm thinking I might not be going fast enough - but I tried a few different speeds and nothing worked. Any idea how fast the trolling should be? I'm also wondering if possibly my lures aren't getting down low enough, as grouper are generally bottom dwellers and if I'm using a 25ft diveabit in 45ft of water, I don't think the Grouper will see it? I may be completely flawed in that thought - I just don't know which is why I'm posting here! Any help in trolling for grouper would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all. Tight lines!

-Scott

nightfly

Trolling for grouper is more of a winter time thing when the grouper move in closer. Might try some Mann's plugs they have some that dive 30+.

tg.

Stretch 30's get down deep enough. I troll over live bottom and catch them pretty regularly. Though not shallow. I think they'll come up to bite any time of year....you just have to find where they are. In other words, if you know a good grouper area they should bite a plug. 3 mph, if memory serves, is not too fast. And I troll stretch 30's in 70+ feet, so they will come up to eat.

snookerf150

Stretch 30s in 25-40 ft:. Distance+ speed depends on structure, tide, line, leader, etc. but I'm normally 60+ yds back @ 6 mph over hard bottom letting the stretch 30 do what it does.. Bouncing off rocks etc is key.