When angling for bottom fish, grouper fishing is the most popular sport fishing in the western hemisphere. Because there are so many different types of grouper, fishing for them can be good all the way from the New England states, through the Gulf of Mexico, and down to Brazil. You'll find red, yellowfin, black, gag, and Warsaw grouper to choose from along many coastal regions, and it's rare that there is no abundance of the species. However, beware of the strength and cunning of these fish.



First, you must know a little about bottom fishing, and then plentiful grouper fishing opportunities will follow. Start with a fifty-pound test monofilament line. This will handle just about any grouper that you can possibly encounter. Anything larger becomes a hassle and is also a bit too visible to your target fish. Use a terminal tackle - a sinker, leader, and hook configured with a bank sinker on the end of the leader and a 12-inch-long loop tied abut 18 inches up from there onto which the hook is tied.

When grouper fishing, it is also wise to understand the habits of the grouper. These fish are commonly found around bottom structures of almost any kind, though they do have preferences, especially in certain areas. For example, in southern Florida, grouper fishing will be most productive around the tropical coral reefs. In the northern shores of the state, you'll find grouper in and around bottom ledges, as well as in artificial reefs and wreckage. The like shelter and a place to hide, and though you might think differently because of their name, grouper are very solitary fish, especially the larger ones.

Though you might find that grouper fishing can be accomplished through waiting for the fish to chase the bait, this is most often not the best tactic. Grouper prefer to ambush their prey as it passes over their hiding places. Because the grouper can change its coloration to match the hues of its surroundings, much like a chameleon, they blend in easily and have an advantage over unsuspecting prey. However, their tendency to rush the bait makes grouper fishing a simple task in terms of hooking a fish, though a bit difficult in terms of actually landing the catch.

Grouper fishing is best accomplished by using bait that is natural to the grouper's feeding habits. In open waters, grouper feed on other smaller fish, crabs, crawfish, other small crustaceans, and squid. Most of the time, you will find grouper waiting in a hole or under a ledge until an easy catch comes by, at which time they will attack, eat quickly, and return to the shelter. Free-lining live bait, straight bottom fishing, and slow trolling are the most successful approaches to grouper fishing, with trolling being the best option for the Gulf of Mexico.