How to Jig for Grouper

The many species of grouper are popular saltwater sport fish. Anglers prize grouper for their relatively large size, good taste and especially for their powerful fighting abilities. Groupers aggressively attack baits and when hooked, immediately attempt to bury themselves in a rock pile, which often helps them escape from anglers. Although many techniques will catch these deep-bellied fish, jigging is a very popular method because anglers use comparatively light tackle that allows them to really feel the power of these fish.

Things You'll Need

  • 1- to 8-ounce jigs
  • 7-foot heavy-action rod
  • 50- to 80-pound-test line
  • High-capacity baitcasting or spinning reel
  • Ballyhoo, squid or other bait
  • Boat
  • Sonar unit
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Instructions

  1. Jigging for Grouper

    • 1

      Locate a reef, shipwreck or other bottom abnormality on your sonar unit. Groupers dwell in rocks or among crevasses along the bottom.

    • 2

      Hook a piece of ballyhoo, squid or other bait onto the grouper jig.

    • 3

      Position the boat over the tallest part of the structure and drop your jig to the bottom on a slack line so it may flutter.

    • 4

      Jig the rod if you wish or simply place it in a rod holder and let the boat's rocking in the waves do the jigging.

    • 5

      Drift along to cover the structure. If you don't get a bite within 10 minutes on one piece of structure, move. Grouper usually strike right away.

    Catching a Grouper

    • 6

      Set the hook as soon as you feel the "tick" a grouper makes when it sucks in your jig.

    • 7

      Move the boat off the structure and into open water if possible to prevent the grouper from burying itself on the bottom.

    • 8

      Use the heavy-action rod and strong line to muscle groupers away from rocks. Groupers like to bury themselves in rocks when hooked, which can cut the line.

    • 9

      Apply steady pressure on the rod. Pump the rod and take up the slack until the grouper reaches the boat.