[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his has always been the time of year to just ride the deeper water and “look”. When I say “look”, I mean paying attention to your recorder and not just what’s on the bottom , but in the mid water column as well. What I’m looking for are the large piles of bait out in the 125 foot and deeper water. These bait marks are what keeps the red and scamp grouper around….and especially the red grouper. Regardless of structure, or no structure, like ledges and/or live bottom, red grouper live on or near these big bait balls this time of year. The bait does not have to be right on the bottom…as a matter of fact, the bait that’s suspended 30-50 feet off the bottom have produced some of the best red grouper bites. Certainly drop in (on the drift) to see if anyone is home, on any given mark, but I strongly recommend anchoring on the mark. Not only can you get the grouper going, but it’s also a great time to jig up some of the cigs and/or sardines for the light line or kite baits. There is absolutely no way to predict what will pile up on the light line…. everything from kings to wahoo with everything in between can be there. ALWAYS have a live sardine ready to deploy if a sail swims by the boat, as they only give you so many chances to get a bait in front of them.This is the time to remain calm/quite…. if you start shouting and or stomping around the boat you can spook the bite right out out of a sail. Certainly, there have been many sails caught on wire leaders, but I think a snelled 7/0 or 8/0 circle hook on a 50-60# fluorocarbon leader is a much better choice for a sail.
With the stable weather patterns, this is a great time of year to make an overnight trip to the edge. This kind of trip takes some extra preparation and gear, but is well worth the price of admission. Plan this type trip around a new moon if possible to get the most out of the lights on the boat. You will not believe the amount of life out there that is drawn to the lights. everything from squid , cigs, sardines and flying fish , but also all the predators. If you have never experienced this, please do yourself a favor. it will be something you never forget. The kings and wahoo will definitely chew at night, but I have only caught one dolphin at night. Rule of thumb….anything with a large eye (kings, tuna, wahoo) have no problem at night.
As always, please take your kids when the weather is right, as both of you will remember these days most of all,
Tim Barefoot
www.barefootfishing.net
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