New guy here: Hey guys/gals I'm Jarrett and have lived in Clearwater for a year. Recently got a new boat and was wondering whats the best grouper strategy for around here ie slow...

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

Hey guys/gals I'm Jarrett and have lived in Clearwater for a year. Recently got a new boat and was wondering whats the best grouper strategy for around here ie slow trolling etc. Should I just try some public numbers first? Here is a pic of the boat for attention.

Jarrett
Clearwater, FL

Goose259 Loc: Lecanto, FL 34461

Noles187 wrote:

Hey guys/gals I'm Jarrett and have lived in Clearwater for a year. Recently got a new boat and was wondering whats the best grouper strategy for around here ie slow trolling etc. Should I just try some public numbers first? Here is a pic of the boat for attention.

Jarrett
Clearwater, FL

I would follow one or two boats out to the deeper water, don't fish right on top of them, and bottom fish with whole live pin fish or mullet and see how ya do.

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

Seems like a wild strategy to just follow someone else not knowing their range lol

Goose259 Loc: Lecanto, FL 34461

Alot of boaters down here have there favorite spots, they don't want you to know. If you look to charter a boat here in Crystal River, they tell you first thing,no phones and gps apps, they don't want to give out there spots, that's why I said to follow one or two out, you don't have any thing to lose. I wouldn't want to give up my spot either.

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

Goose259 wrote:

Alot of boaters down here have there favorite spots, they don't want you to know. If you look to charter a boat here in Crystal River, they tell you first thing,no phones and gps apps, they don't want to give out there spots, that's why I said to follow one or two out, you don't have any thing to lose. I wouldn't want to give up my spot either.

I see what you mean.

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Goose259 wrote:

Alot of boaters down here have there favorite spots, they don't want you to know. If you look to charter a boat here in Crystal River, they tell you first thing,no phones and gps apps, they don't want to give out there spots, that's why I said to follow one or two out, you don't have any thing to lose. I wouldn't want to give up my spot either.

And you think if that's the case, they going stop on top of their spot with a boat in site 😂 not a chance.......
With money you paid for that boat you should have gotten three or four hot spots from the salesman or dealer before you bought it from them🎣 and maybe a few deep sea rods, I know I would have 👍
If you like to troll you can catch nice grouper trolling the skyway with deep driving plugs, I use a bomber long A Red Head and have done good, wish you the best of luck 🎣🎣🎣

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

Awesome....how slow are you trolling and how deep does that lure dive?

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Noles187 wrote:

Awesome....how slow are you trolling and how deep does that lure dive?

Troll into the current with a 7.5 to 8' rod and you just have to play with the speed it depends on the plug you are using and if the fish is active or not I just start out two to three knots and no bites move up to five to eight knots also depends on how much line you have out more line you have the deeper the plug will run mark the spot when you catch the first grouper and troll that area🎣🎣🎣

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

THANK YOU!

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Noles187 wrote:

THANK YOU!

You're welcome, best of luck and we do like pictures of your catch 🎣🎣

gbcreed Loc: Land O Lakes, FL

If you’re fishing out of Clear Water, fish Veterans Reef. It’s 11.2 NM North West of John’s Pass.
N 28.03.000 W 83.000.750.
It’s 50’ deep and lots of big fish.
I fish the bottom and drift. You don’t want to move too much. The reef is huge with tanks, planes, boats, ships and even military statues. So you can hang up on something pretty easily. Great for scuba divers.

Noles187 Loc: Clearwater, FL

THANK YOU for the advice I do dive as well. What are you usually fishing for there? What bait?

Chuckay Loc: Central Florida

Noles187 wrote:

THANK YOU for the advice I do dive as well. What are you usually fishing for there? What bait?

If you spear fish you will enjoy watching the ( key west waterman) on YouTube👍👍👍

gbcreed Loc: Land O Lakes, FL

I always have a least one pole with live shrimp. Use the jumbos if you can find them. I also use 4”pink Gulp (artificial from Walmart ). That’s all I’ve personally tried.
I do have a Sabiki rod and rig on the boat and can catch green backs and small pin fish for bait. I haven’t tried that yet. It’s so deep, I don’t think that would work unless I catch them before reaching Veterans Reef.