By Capt. Billy Bishop
Shallow water grouper fishing out of St. Marks is great during June. My definition of shallow water is 15 to 30 feet in depth. Trolling this time of year is a great time to discover new fishing holes.
Drifting over shallow water spots can be productive but the best way catch shallow water grouper is to anchor. Anchoring on a spot helps draw fish to your bait.
When bottom fishing—KEEP IT SIMPLE. I prefer pink monofilament line but you can use any line that is not easily seen in the water. Since I fish mostly over rocks I use a 4-0 reel with sixty-pound test line and one hundred pound leader.
The fishing line can be smaller but you will lose more fish. Rocks will break a smaller test line because the grouper will always head for the rocks. My rigs have a 6- or 8-ounce slip sinker tied above the swivel with a 4- to 5-foot leader. The bait you use can be dead bait or live pinfish.
I always carry LYs, squid and northern mackerel. You never know which will work the best but LYs seem to catch more fish. Once you have your rig baited drop it over the side—prepare for a fight. In shallow water it is critical to get the fish off the bottom as fast as possible. This keeps the fish out of the rocks. Shallow water grouper fight all the way to the boat and you can never let up on the fish. Catching grouper in shallow water will leave you happy and exhausted.
Come to St Marks make the trip out the river and a short trip in the gulf to find some rocks or man-made reefs and have a ball.
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