Took our boat out and went fishing for the first time about in about 90ft of water on some spots on maps unique. Caught only a few keeper sea bass, 1 vermillion, 2 grunts, and 2 15 pound red snapper. I’m relatively new at fishing “offshore”, have been out fishing at some live bottom in 60ft but would like to catch some grouper. We have a smaller center console, I was wondering if anyone had any tips on catching quality bottom fish in about 60-100 feet, and also on effectively anchoring on spots as I’ve had some trouble getting “right on the spot”.
No tips on finding better bottom other than move often stay observant look for the signs
But I will say this the same spots will hold different varieties month to month and season to season
But bring and try A variety of baits everytime. If you can think of it and its not illegal put it on a hook and try it
Fish more
Im sure there are better tips but thats what i got
For anchoring, there’s no better teacher than experienced time on the water. Keep at it and understand that current, tide, wind all play a role. Also try drifting a spot three or four times before you anchor. That can help you in understanding what kind of fish are on the bottom and your estimated drift. Use that information to help you pick a direction to anchor.
For what its worth, you can catch grouper drifting, but its sporadic and not nearly as good as anchoring up and putting a live bait down there though. Grouper like live bait. Big live bait. Big leaders and circle hooks are the ticket. A 20lb grouper will make you swear its an 80lb fish; you need strong gear to get the job done. Beef up that terminal tackle and get that sucker off the bottom quick.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017
Thanks for the tips on anchoring. I’ve heard grouper will move around depending on the time of year, like I said I have a smaller center console. Can I expect to catch much keepers in 100ft or less? Pretty new to this and I appreciate the tips.
They certainly get shallower in the winter.
The artificial reefs that are well known are hit pretty hard in the summer time, but there are still grouper there. Ask anyone who has dove those reefs and they’ll tell you. As for the maps unique charts, not many people take the time to really search those. I think its a good idea. Go check them out systematically and record your progress in your GPS if it’ll let you. Its not always the spots that blow up your sounder that produce. Sometimes its just a little small relief off the bottom that will hold a couple of stud fish. A spot that holds fish in the summer might not in the winter and vice versa. Some spots hold fish 99% of the time. That’s half the fun, figuring this stuff out.
Also, be opportunistic. Be prepared to fish for a different species depending on the weather and conditions. I’ll bet 75% of the “offshore” fisherman I know won’t ever go fish for spades, but its one of the most fun things you can do and its close to shore. If the spades aren’t participating, send some fiddlers to the bottom and look for sheepshead. I’ll take the fight of a 5-6 lb sheepshead anytime, and they are excellent to eat. That’s a strong fish lb for lb. Have a pitch rod ready with a bucktail or a fresh bait if you see a cobia or king swimming around the boat while you’re bottom fishing. It’ll happen. I’ve caught kings, cobia, sharks, and even sailfish on a drift rod behind the boat while drifting bottom fishing. Always put out a drift rod with a fresh bait. You’ll be surprised sometimes.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017
It is refreshing to see a thread with some good information.
Like most have said successful anchoring takes some practice and drifting your spot a few times will help give you an idea where to drop the anchor. I mostly drift, that being said I don’t catch many grouper either and we are okay with the sea bass and vermillion. Some of my best spots are within a mile from my best spots, that we found drifting. The latest and greatest for anchoring are the new trolling motors with anchor mode or spot lock. i would love to have one but they are outside of my budget right now. Best of luck to you.
no doubt, expensive but dang it they work amazingly well. What 23 said… I caught my personal best Grouper 28# while drifting. I thought I had a stingray. Like he said get em off the bottom Quick or they will “hole up”. I’ve been drift fishing across the Spines/ Spires (?) (not far from the Deli) and racked up on most every bottom fish you can catch. At times we had to watch our drift pattern due to others taking advantage of such a good spot or those Trolling across the drift pattern.
Ivebenfishing, I’m getting geared up to start back up on some offshore bottom fishing. We along the S.C. coast probably have some of the best fishing in the Atlantic, just have to travel a good ways to get to it. I got spoiled down in the keys where 12 miles puts you in 500+ feet of water. Here we need to travel a good bit further. 
Tight lines and good luck Sir.
Edit, … Hey 23 or anyone else, there was on thread on anchoring a few years back (I think it was from Sellsfish). It had tons of great info on anchoring in deep water, different anchor set ups, amount of chain, and such. I tried searching but couldn’t find it. If anyone can find it, that would be worth re-posting.
Sellsfish did a great youtube video years ago on anchoring and recovering using a polyball. I think NN found it, but everytime I look for it I don’t see it.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017
(**() 23SF, you bum. It took 1 search of Sellsfish Anchoring and it was second video down. You didn’t look hard did you?
......
Mike
2020 Gamefish 27 CB Twin Yamaha 200’s
I didn’t search his name, my b.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017
Last I heard Sell’s was working with a dredging/ re- nourishing project off Hilton head? If he gave advise, you could take it to the bank. Anyone heard from him? I miss his seafood store in Summerville.
Here’s one on Sheephead… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqZE_tkuls8
Local oyster clusters… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXgj1lTTJ4
clamming with his mom… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHiYvmuOGw4
fileting flounder… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZZAjF7z8dY
Fred, sells is still here. I talk to him once in a while, I suspect he got tired of dealing with the issues on this page. He posts on FB sites now and still slays the Grouper.
Sea Hunt 212 Triton "Head East"
thanks for the advice everyone. Where do yall go to catch live bait (menhaden, pinfish)? And what sort of rigs would you suggest?
On the way out of the jetties, stop and look behind the fort. When the menhadden are here, that’s an easy place to catch them. One good cast is all you’ll need. Only get what your livewell can keep alive though. They die easily. Look for other boats with anglers on the bow and/or diving birds.
“Another poon dream splintered on the rocks of reality.” --Peepod 07-25-2017