Well, we went today. Got a late call from Mahola-Kai and he jetted down from Beaufort to catch the train. Marsh Monkey and I impatiently awaited his arrival. I had chit-canned my deep plans last night and was looking for a normal(sunup/sundown) day on the water. We left late in a hard northerly blow. Put down about 15 miles to an artificial reef to bump around and to await the lay down. Put a few sea bass in the boat and had a blast waching the loons chase the released ones back to the bottom, they were every bit as voracious as barracuda in the summer. They would resurface, screeching for more as they choked on the shorts we threw back. We all agreed we had never seen anything like it. Around 11 the boys wanted to move on, so we pushed out 25 more miles, making over 30mph in relative comfort. The west wind had blown the top layer of water off and the bottom water had crept up or something. The temp was 54 degrees where it was 62 just a week ago. There was little bait to be had and we managed a few pinners and some sand perch. We gave it a go anyway. This is where the problems started.
I fished for Marsh Monkeys limit first, when that was full, I fished for Mahola-Kai’s. I managed to fill that as well. We ran out of time and I couldn’t fill my limit. So you see none of us got our limits, bummer. We ran in at 40MPH and hit the dock right before dark. Met another good guy of CF.com and had what I think was a pretty good day in the adverse conditions.
*note in the one picture a second hook in the snaps mouth. My hook from a week or two ago. I tie my hooks in a particular way, so I know it was mine, pretty cool.
… were those on live bait? Just curious, how far off the bottom do you fish and how long/lb test are your leaders…
OH MY GOD, It would appear Florida Boy has somehow ripped off Crackers password.
EF, do you know everything about bottom fishing? If so, maybe I can go to one of your seminars one day. I’d like to know all there is to know about bottom fishing and trolling for the big daddys! I’ll trade sinkers for tips!
nice work sir… were those on live bait? Just curious, how far off the bottom do you fish and how long/lb test are your leaders? For the NARS I mean…
dirty boots are on - hi di ho
Live bait. Pinner, sand perch, ruby red lip, sand perch, on the bottom, 5’ 50-80# flouro, 8/0-10/0 circle snelled on. When they are thick I’ll take one full crank off the bottom. It is easier to get the bite that way. But they don’t always eat that way and you limit the chances of a grouper, IMO.
“Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. The course of history shows us that as a government grows, liberty decreases.”
— Thomas Jefferson
EF, do you know everything about bottom fishing? If so, maybe I can go to one of your seminars one day. I’d like to know all there is to know about bottom fishing and trolling for the big daddys! I’ll trade sinkers for tips!
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
What's in it for EF to teach everyone how to bottomfish? As selfish as it may sound, the less people that know how to catch them, the better it is in the short term for the fish (and for me). Like I said, people will think that I am an a-hole for saying it (what's new?), but they will barely let us catch gags and ARS now. I wonder what would happen to our bag limit if everyone knew how to catch them? It would probably be shut down by now...
nice work sir… were those on live bait? Just curious, how far off the bottom do you fish and how long/lb test are your leaders? For the NARS I mean…
dirty boots are on - hi di ho
Live bait. Pinner, sand perch, ruby red lip, sand perch, on the bottom, 5’ 50-80# flouro, 8/0-10/0 circle snelled on. When they are thick I’ll take one full crank off the bottom. It is easier to get the bite that way. But they don’t always eat that way and you limit the chances of a grouper, IMO.
Thanks, that is pretty much what I do. Was wondering if you were using lighter leader or kooky long leaders…
nice work sir… were those on live bait? Just curious, how far off the bottom do you fish and how long/lb test are your leaders? For the NARS I mean…
dirty boots are on - hi di ho
Live bait. Pinner, sand perch, ruby red lip, sand perch, on the bottom, 5’ 50-80# flouro, 8/0-10/0 circle snelled on. When they are thick I’ll take one full crank off the bottom. It is easier to get the bite that way. But they don’t always eat that way and you limit the chances of a grouper, IMO.
Thanks, that is pretty much what I do. Was wondering if you were using lighter leader or kooky long leaders…
dirty boots are on - hi di ho
As silly as it sounds, I have confidence in the way I rig and fish. If I don’t catch anything I blame it on the bite or some other silly reason. I’ve fished with people that use 25’ leaders, 20# flouro and other vodoo stuff. I try to keep it simple. I will say that snapper hardly ever just crush a big bait for me, it is more of a pickup/dropback/pickup/come tight and hope it is on. I’ve been in a bit of slump lately due to a new rod(much shorter, 4 1/2’) than previously. Yesterday was the first day I got the hang of the new rod, it took going down to 65# braid instead of 80#. I can feel the bait much better. I may even switch to 50#. I’ve never lost a fish to brea
What’s in it for EF to teach everyone how to bottomfish? As selfish as it may sound, the less people that know how to catch them, the better it is in the short term for the fish (and for me). Like I said, people will think that I am an a-hole for saying it (what’s new?), but they will barely let us catch gags and ARS now. I wonder what would happen to our bag limit if everyone knew how to catch them? It would probably be shut down by now…
Nice job on the big slob by the way.
You should be thankful that the people taught you and did not have this same philosophy.
I disagree on this point skinnee, the more people we have interested in the sport the more support we will get and the more it will grow.
Local charters, tackle shops, boat dealers, boat manufactures will all do better so I say spread the knowledge.
Reputation is what people have come to think of you.
Character is the way you act when no one is around.
The difference is that I didn’t learn on the internet… I actually spent time on the boat with people. I have no problem sharing with people that I know… I just don’t see the point of trying to educate perfect strangers on the art of the grouperfishes…
Also, maybe I am just paying more attention, but it seems like the number of boats out there is starting to creep up… It seems that nowadays when you pull up on a spot there are 3 boats already there. Sure, you can fish a more secret hole, but then you have to worry about that 30’ grady charging up on you to get your secret numbers, so that he can pound on the spot for the next 6 weeks until he get’s another spot to pound on…
The difference is that I didn’t learn on the internet… I actually spent time on the boat with people. I have no problem sharing with people that I know… I just don’t see the point of trying to educate perfect strangers on the art of the grouperfishes…
i’m not so sure you can actually educate anyone to fish just from internet chat(especially offshore)…
sure you can show them how to rig and tell them what to do,but actually getting out there and applying it consistantly is tough.
i can read stuff all day but i learn best by doing it over and over and over…i grew up bottom fishing the west coast of fl(middle grounds)stopped fishing for 20 years or so,it hasn’t change alot,just more people are doing it…that and circle hooks and some of the best gear technology can buy…but the basics are the same…
as far as more boats,i have seen an increase this fall for bottom fishing but only in the 80-100ft areas…once we get to the ledge we see very few boats…
also i am not going as much or in some of the crappy conditions that i use too,which also explains more boats(i have become the fair weather fisherman)
Also, maybe I am just paying more attention, but it seems like the number of boats out there is starting to creep up… It seems that nowadays when you pull up on a spot there are 3 boats already there. Sure, you can fish a more secret hole, but then you have to worry about that 30’ grady charging up on you to get your secret numbers, so that he can pound on the spot for the next 6 weeks until he get’s another spot to pound on…
There is no question that recent buying(good economy), technology(gps), and motor advancement has increased the # of boats on the water. I think those of us that grew up in the outdoors have a different approach and etiquitte on the water. I don’t think alot of us see the resource as fragile and renewable at the same time, but more something we have “the right” to do b/c we can. I share the good and bad here so that others may have the chance to experience the joy that I get from fishing. Also you tend to get out of life what you put in, the little bit of info I may glean on someone else may be returned when I need it. I still have alot to learn and hopefully teach.
I believe that if you teach 10 people your tricks and trades to catching ARS and grouper, that’s still not many fish they are pulling out of a VAST oceananic area. Many great comments have been made in this thread too. I’ve read many of your posts and tips many of times (courtland, phin, ef, SJ, sells, etc) and feel afterwards that “I can do that”…but when I get out there it’s a complete different ballgame. Just like it sounds all fine and dandy that you find the right spot at 8 a.m. and can anchor and fish it all day…well the anchor might not hang, you lose the spot, fish aren’t there like you want etc…I really do appreciate any tips of the trade that I can get. I know a lot about fishing, different styles, baits, approaches, presentations, etc but I’m always up to learn some new stuff to try out.
As all of our spearman say, we have a GREAT fishery and the grouper and ARS are thick with good size on them (on mos reports)…I don’t think they’re going anywhere anytime soon. Most of you top notch fisherman on here are going to catch your nice sized ARS and Grouper 95% of your trips!
