Nature Coast, William Toney

As we are getting closer to the pre- mature gag grouper close down on

the 18th of October, here are a few tips for inshore anglers to bring

one home. If you have a decent shallow rock try chumming with live

pinfish, cut frozen threadfin or shrimp before casting out a line. I

have drifted silently to some of my spots and watched grouper up to 25

yards away from the structure laying in wait for some meal to present

itself. During the summer fishing for mangrove snapper. the best part

of the bite is when the grouper would come crash the party. So

chumming and fishing for grunts can make a keeper gag grouper

competitive for food and they will let their guard down enough to be

caught. A live pinfish, cut mullet or a grunt head on a conventional

rod with 30lb. mono and 60lb. leader with a knocker rig is best to

pull a keeper fish away from the rocks.

Another method to catch shallow gag grouper is with a plug. This is

far from the easiest way to catch one but is probably the most

rewarding. I like plugs that run 8 feet of less depending on how fast

you retrieve them. Ideally you need to cast just right or left of the

structure and make the fish chase the plug. When the fish chases the

plug it’s that much further from the rock and in shallow water that

can mean a busted line or fish in the boat.

The redfish bite is good I’ve got most mine on cut pinfish on the

outside keys. Look for big sharks because the are following the

schools of redfish. When the sharks home in on the caught redfish it’s

best to move on after you have your limit. The trout bite with popping

cork and dark colored soft plastic is good on our larger bays. Look

for rock grass and set up a drift with the outgoing tide for the best

fishing. Incoming tide will be in the afternoon this weekend.