Break out your favorite Grouper recipe and call some friends. That's exactly what the Shaw group will be doing after Wednesday's half-day fishing charter out of Pass-a-Grille, St.Pete Beach. And with the Gag Grouper closure going back into effect on November 15, their timing could not have been any better.
Catherine Pacifici wanted to treat some very special clients, and friends, to a fun day on the water-Grouper fishing. That's right, and she was at the boat early with her crew, Nat, Perry and Jason...ready to go Grouper digging, and Grouper digging we did! The big Gag Grouper were on fire for this group of happy anglers and they quickly learned the difference between pulling these fish from deeper water(which they all were used to) and pulling them from the shallow stuff. When you hook into a big Gag in water less than 40 feet, you aren't the one doing the pulling...trust me, or just ask Perry-he caught his limit and then some.
Fishing for Grouper in shallow water requires a little more patience, and stealth. With local Gulf waters starting to cool down, these fish will become somewhat lethargic and not as quick to eat. Making sure the boat is properly positioned up-current and chumming the water with chunks will help entice the fish. Flourocarbon leader line is a must, in my opinion, and the smallest lead weight you can get away with. Also, keep the lead weight on the bottom...and keep it still. Wink wink, Nat! Seriously though, in this shallow depth, these fish a very keen to their surroundings, unlike the 'stacks' of fish often found in deep water. This is why stealth is really the key! Finally, by law we use circle hooks, so, setting the hook is a no no. It's a hard habit to break if you fish inshore allot, but setting the hook only pulls the bait away from the fish. Instead, when the first bite is felt on your line,..just crank, crank, crank!
So there's the free lesson on shallow water Grouper fishing, but there really is nothing like 'hands-on' experience. Once Catherine and crew got the hang of it, well, they just flat out caught more fish. Check them out with their proof of a bannner Gag Grouper hunt on the Jawbreaker. Pictured above from the left, Catherine, Perry, Nat, Jason, their limit of Gag Grouper and a bonus Kingfish that I almost forgot to mention. You guys(and gal) kick ass! Looking forward to the next time. Happy fishing folks, Capt.Dan