Outdoors

Full baitwell, right rigging essential now

By Steve Papen, Times correspondent
Published November 16, 2007

For many anglers, this is their favorite time of year. The water temperature is slowly falling and fish are cooperating, no matter which species is the target.

Grouper continue to migrate into the shallow bait-rich waters between 50 and 90 feet. Large schools of Spanish sardines and cigar minnows are around most ledges in these depths, and therefore the grouper are there, too.

It is important to have a verity of baits to ensure a productive trip. I have been on ledges where the fish would not eat any live pinfish or pigfish, but the second a live sardine hit the bottom the fish inhaled them. There have also been many instances where the fish would eat nothing but squirrelfish. This is because many areas have an abundance of these specific baits and the fish in the area have grown accustomed to eating these baitfish.

When targeting shallow-water gag grouper, it is better to rig too heavy than too light. Eighty-pound tackle is helpful in prying these fish from under their ledges. Shorter leaders and light lead weights will mean more fish and fewer breakoffs. The first thing a gag will do when it feels the pressure of the hook is run for the nearest rock or hole and dive in, so lock down the drag on the reel.

Snapper fishing should continue to be consistent in depths of 60 to 150 feet of water. Targeting snapper requires lighter tackle from the reel to hook. Small, sharp hooks help in landing more of these bandits. Using fluorocarbon leaders also plays a key role in catching more fish, especially because the waters offshore are more clear than the shallower waters near shore.

For the next couple of weeks, king mackerel anglers will find plenty of fish in our area. The larger fish have been just off the beach and feeding heavily on Spanish mackerel and ladyfish.

To stock up on ladyfish, go to a local pass at night and use Loves Lures or small bucktail jigs. These larger baits are much more fragile than the blue runners that are used offshore. Troll between 1 and 1.5 mph as these baits do not hold up for long when trolled faster.

Fishing for these big fish usually requires more patience and heavier tackle. The average 25-pound female king is 11 to 12 years old. Unlike the smaller fish, the larger kings will travel in small packs. These fish have made this trip before and know their way well, so it is not easy to trick them into eating. Therefore, any bait offering should look as natural as possible.

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 00:53:53]