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Captain's corner

By CAPT. TROY P. SAPP
Published September 29, 2007

Recent offshore trips in about 50 to 60 feet of water have revealed that grouper are starting to migrate closer to shore and that it will continue to get better as water temperatures moderate. The concentrations are scattered, but a few moves should allow you to go home with plenty of fish.

The bait

It is best to carry an ample supply of live and cut bait to keep the bite going. Start with frozen sardines to get the action started and to provide a natural chum slick from the smaller fish feeding on the cut bait. If the bite seems to be heating up, switch to live bait such as pinfish, grunts or squirrelfish. The bigger the bait the better in this case because it will help prevent the smaller grouper from beating the big boys to the table.

The tackle

Use 50- to 60-pound main line with 6 feet of 80- to 100-pound test leader with enough weight to hold your bait on the bottom. Five- to 8-ounce weights are usually adequate. Sharp hooks from the 6/0 to 8/0 size that are of heavy construction are a must. The 4/0 conventional reels with tight drags and a heavy rod will be needed if you plan on stopping those keepers from finding their rocky homes once hooked.

With today's fuel prices, the closer to shore they get, the better.

Capt. Troy P. Sapp of Fins and Tails Guide Service can be reached at (813) 920-6928

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 20:36:11]