Artis for grouper

Christian Durham · Pro Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Tampa

Does anyone use artificial lures to catch grouper?
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Aqua Finatic · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:20 am Post subject:

I've thought about using artificial once to catch grouper. But I didnt think it would be easy fishing from a pier. It would be hard to get your lure all the way out there and to reel it in at the right dept so the grouper can see it. There might be some people out there that use arties but I'm not sure.

pierfish · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

You can use large lipped plugs like the Magnums and allow it to drift past the rocks and reel it in. Many people I know do well with this technique. Might have to use a higher speed reel.

SLEEPY · Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

I have not used them but I have seen people catch a lot of grouper useing artis out in the deep water like the middle grounds and trolling the shipping channel edges...
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goliath407 · Expert Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Orlando

Yea, like pierfish said, U gotta let your plug drift way out past the rocks. I've seen it done 2 times at ssp and caught a nice 26" & 29" gag. It does take alot of time from the pier. your better off freelining live bait.

Dorsal · Mediocre Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 25

Sure you can. Like they said deep diving floating plugs. Drift it out...300 yds helps, if you don't get cut off by a boat. Redheads and various color deep diving yo-zuri's. The Pink is great. Unfortuantely I lost mine snagging on a rock during a retrieve. The key is the speed of the retrieve for the depth, cause you can get snagged easy. Not all the rockpiles are the same depth. It takes some practice.
I know one guy that only uses plugs and every time I have seen him out there he has caught keeper gags. He also uses 2 set-ups. While one is drifting out with the bail open, he is retrieving the other. Constant work, but can be worth it.