Florida grouper fishing 101

Fishing for grouper on the West coast of Florida is a sure thing right now. Fishing the waters off St.Pete beach in almost any depth has been producing keeper-size Red grouper and Gag grouper alike. Saturday's 6-hour fishing charter started like most...early morning bait catching, happy people meeting at the boat and a nice ride out to the grounds. Well, let's just say that the people got happier!

We decided to give the Barracudas another shot since these snaggle-toothed monsters have really been putting on a great show for our clients lately. Trolling the Betty Rose gave up some impressive Spanish mackerel and lots of large blue runners, but no 'cudas'. We had one big strike and the fish came unhooked. We had one more big blue runner get cut in half and decided to do the grouper thing.

Moving out to the 55 foot mark and anchoring up on a small ledge was all it took. The juvenile Red groupers were thick, however we did manage a couple of keeper Reds for the ice box. And of course, the Gag grouper were few, but large. After losing many big fish to the rocky ledges below, our new friends also managed to put a couple of these beautiful brawlers in the box as well. Take a look at Joe with his new dinner date, a Gulf of Mexico Gag grouper...yum!

Do like Joe did and take your family and friends on a nice getaway out into the beautiful blue yonder. Fishing the Gulf is only going to get better too. Kingfish will start showing up in good numbers and the grouper fishing will move in closer to shore on a more consistent level. Call Jawbreaker fishing charters and let us host the makings of your next dinner date. Happy fishing to ya, Capt. Dan