Fishing with Capt. George Tunison | Preparing rigs for grouper fishing
You’ve finally got your dream boat in the water and a friend has let you in on a few hot Gulf of America GPS numbers and now you’re ready to get in on some choice grouper fishing this coming weekend, but have no idea how to rig up your hook and leader to make it happen.
Local grouper guru Roy Bennett and crew did make it happen this past week off Sanibel Island out in the 100-foot zone catching beautiful red grouper up to 29 inches along with a load of Lane snappers. Local salts all have their favorite way to rig up for bottom or structure fishing to attract grouper to the hook. Let’s take a look at this experienced local bottom angler’s basic rigs to give you a few ideas on setting up for success.
Capt. George Tunison
One method is set up a two-hook combo with a 10-ounce bucktail on the bottom of your leader. Two feet above the bucktail is attached another leader sporting a 7/0 circle hook using a dropper rig or three-way swivel with a live or dead pinfish, grunt or ladyfish head for bait. If desired, add another dropper, hook and bait above that.
Another more basic rig would be to attach a strong barrel swivel to the end of your line after first threading on an 8 to 10-ounce sliding sinker. Current flow will determine your sinker weight. Add a 3-foot section of 80-pound test leader material to the bottom of the swivel then to that, add your 7/0 circle hook. Add a live pinfish or sand perch to the hook then drop it down and hang on. Hooking multiple grouper at the same time will test not only your knots and gear but will also give your arms a real workout.
If you’ve been nicknamed Freddy Fumblefingers because making up leaders and tying reliable knots in mono isn’t your deal, most tackle stores sell pre-made leader set-ups. You will still need to learn at least one reliable knot to attach this rig to the end of your line. Ask a friend or check out YouTube for tons of free instruction and practice till you master a few basic knots.
One good knot to master is the Uni-knot which has many applications. Keep in mind that some knots work best with all mono and others with thinner diameter braided lines. Choose carefully especially when typing mono to braid.
There’s nothing worse than to set the hook or fight the fish then to suddenly have your line go slack because of a bad knot you’ve tied, especially bad, considering the time, effort and money it took you to get out to the fishing grounds in the first place. If the end of your line comes back in what I like to call curly-ques, this always means the knot didn’t break, it simply became undone. Practice knots and rigging tackle at home before the big trip.
If you do get on the grouper, remember that the battle is almost always won or lost in the first seconds of the fight as these fish head back into cover and try to break you off. Put on the power instantly to get these bulldozers away from line shredding structure or stop at the fish store on the way home.
Make sure to check your FWC website for the latest info on open and closed grouper regulations as it often changes. Also remember that state rules apply out to the 9-mile mark then federal rules take over.
With hot weather and hot fishing in the spring forecast, take the time now for basic boat, trailer and safety gear maintenance. Save big engine repair bills by changing out that fuel/water separating filter. Inspect all wiring and top off lead-acid batteries with distilled water only and make sure your tow policy is up to date.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.