12-16-2006, 10:31 PM
Right you are Steve, we use mostly up sized tackle over on this side of the hill. The grouper get big over here. 30 lb line wouldn't last but a few seconds before you would fall victom to the sharp edges of the reef and the untaimable power of a big Grey. If I know i'm in a good hole for grouper, nothing but 80lb tackle will do. Most of the time, I also prefer an electric reel in that deep of water. I noticed that tubn2 didn't mention that, LOL, he's just trying to be mean. [
] After you reel in 2 or 3 fish that are 300+ feet down, you're going to start feeling a pain in your forearms and shoulders; sometimes in your back. 114HLW's work quite well though if you want to do it the hard way. I also like Shakespear Tiger Stick in a medium Heavy action. It's got a very sensitive tip for feeling the bites, and plenty of horsey back bone for hausing them out of the rocks.
If you're in a snapper hole, you can use a reel with a little less size, and a whole lot more gear ratio; which makes the retrieve a snap from the depths and it's not so hard on the back. I suggest a reel WITH a level wind in this application, hints you don't need such heavy line for snapper. However, if you wanted to upsize the line, this is a good situation to spool up a smaller reel with a tough braid line and a topshot of mono.
A hungry grouper will eat just about anything that is kicking. I prefer live cigar minnows freshly jigged up at the reef bouy.
While you're chasing the bottom fish, make sure and sling a live bait out on top attached to a balloon. This will be a good task for that level wind reel you have. You never know what's lurking around on top.
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] After you reel in 2 or 3 fish that are 300+ feet down, you're going to start feeling a pain in your forearms and shoulders; sometimes in your back. 114HLW's work quite well though if you want to do it the hard way. I also like Shakespear Tiger Stick in a medium Heavy action. It's got a very sensitive tip for feeling the bites, and plenty of horsey back bone for hausing them out of the rocks. If you're in a snapper hole, you can use a reel with a little less size, and a whole lot more gear ratio; which makes the retrieve a snap from the depths and it's not so hard on the back. I suggest a reel WITH a level wind in this application, hints you don't need such heavy line for snapper. However, if you wanted to upsize the line, this is a good situation to spool up a smaller reel with a tough braid line and a topshot of mono.
A hungry grouper will eat just about anything that is kicking. I prefer live cigar minnows freshly jigged up at the reef bouy.
While you're chasing the bottom fish, make sure and sling a live bait out on top attached to a balloon. This will be a good task for that level wind reel you have. You never know what's lurking around on top.
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