Q&A: Best Grouper Lures for Southwest Florida

QUESTION:

[What are the] best grouper lures? I fish in Southwest Florida that is Marco Island Florida about 15 miles out at 45 to 50 feet.

Robert

ANSWER: 

Robert,

I’m very familiar with the area and have had some great success on shallow water gags and red grouper. I’ll normally fish these on a heavier spinning jig setup with 50lb – 80lb braided line using 50lb – 80lb fluorocarbon leader. All baits are dropped to the bottom and jigged 1-10′ off the bottom. I find they work great while drifting or on anchor. You’ll also find that amberjack, cobia, big mangrove snapper and the odd amberjack in Southwest Florida will readily eat them as well.

These would be my top 3 lures:

1. HDUV 9″ Jiggin' Eel rigged with a 2oz – 3oz 10/0 Barbarian Jig Head

2. HDUV 6″ Sand Dab rigged on the same Barbarian Jig Head

3. 3.5oz Heavy Minnow Jig

Best regards,

Ross Gallagher