Experts say anglers should aim for 30 feet to 60 feet of deep water where they are most likely to find and catch this fish. They are bottom feeders so you will need to know the depth of the water where you are fishing. Depending on the area this could vary greatly, but the initial recommendation is a good starting point.
Groupers are excellent fish that anglers love to fish for. However, finding a grouper is not always easy. Usually, it is most abundantly found in Florida, where you must find the appropriate fishing depth to ensure you can catch this fish.
How deep should you troll?
Trolling is a way of luring a fish, and it works great for catching groupers because this fish is a little harder to catch and requires some experience. Basically, you put bait underwater after attaching it to the hook and dragging it from a moving boat to trick your fish into thinking that the prey is alive and moving. This is important for groupers, who are usually carnivorous and like to catch their prey.
Now, the best depth for using this method is 30 feet to 60 feet, as it is an excellent range in which you can find grouper. This fish is found in many different water levels, mainly depending on the fish’s species and the water’s seasons and temperature. In colder weather, the fish found in shallow water travel to the shore and inshore. However, many fish hide in deep channels and residential canals at the ocean’s bottom.
When the temperature becomes warmer, the fish living in shallow water start returning to colder water in the offshore water. On the other hand, some fish that require a warmer temperature to live and reproduce might move closer to the surface to get sunlight. Therefore, 30 feet to 60 feet covers an excellent coverage of water where you will find groupers in almost all seasons.
Why should you use trolling technique to catch grouper?
The trolling technique is perfect for catching groupers for various reasons. So, experts choose this instead of the easier route used in traditional fishing.
More chance of finding the fish
The groupers swim around a lot, especially the bigger grouper species. There is no way of knowing where in the water the grouper fish is because they usually live in larger oceans. When you troll, you cover more area in the water, so there is a greater chance of stumbling on a grouper, especially the big ones. Therefore, the possibility of catching the fish increases when a large part of the ocean is covered when the boat is moving offshore.
More chance of catching the fish
These fish love to camouflage and hide in ledges and holes to hide from other larger predators and attack the prey when it is not expected to be attacked. The fish comes out only when it finds prey, so when the bait is swimming away, there is more chance of the fish coming out of its hiding spot. If the bait is not running away, they will not be that interested in catching it.
Can use both types of lures
When trolling, you can use live bait or dead bait. Most fish can only be lured by one of these, but for groupers, both will work fine. According to experts, it is better to use a dead lure in shallow water and slowly move through the water as it will attract a lot of fish. When you decide to fish in deeper water, a large live bait will be more useful as more significant groupers usually hide in deeper water.
Can you spearfish groupers?
Yes, it is an enriching activity to hunt for the grouper yourself by diving into the ocean. For this, you have to go anywhere from 15 feet to 100 feet below water, depending on your experience.
Moreover, you need a shorter speargun with a large shaft because groupers are huge, and you have to travel through rocky patches to find them. Make sure to read the area’s guidelines because many groupers, like goliath grouper, are actually illegal to hunt, and you can be heavily fined for attacking them. You also have to be appropriately equipped, and it is best to dive with an expert or a friend if you are an expert to stay safe underwater.
What is the best way to catch grouper?
Well, it depends on a few things. First, you must figure out what type of grouper you’re looking for. There are many different types, like scamp grouper, gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, and others, and they all have slightly different habits and habitats. Once you know what type of grouper you’re trying to catch, you can decide how best to go about it.
If you’re fishing from shore or from a boat, one of the easiest ways to catch grouper is with a cast net. You can use this method anywhere there’s shallow water where the fish congregate. (so in bays and estuaries). Cast nets are also useful for catching other species like snapper and sea bass!
If you’re fishing from a boat or kayak, it can be helpful to use live bait—like small fish or squid—to attract larger ones. If you prefer those methods, you can also use artificial baits like squid jigs or lures. Just be sure that whatever bait you choose is small enough that it doesn’t get tangled in your line when you cast it into the water.
Conclusion
Now you know that to fish for this fish, you need to troll anywhere from 30 feet to 60 feet, and if you want to go spear hunting, you can be anywhere from 15 feet to 100 feet underwater. It is essential to choose the right area, the right bait, and have knowledge about fishing to catch grouper fish successfully. Hopefully, this article informed you about hunting for grouper fish and piqued your interest in the fish as well. With experience, fishing for grouper fish can be enjoyable and rewarding, and make sure you are using a good reel while you are out.
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