[dropcap]F[/dropcap]inally grouper season opens on May 1st! But on your way offshore, don’t forget to troll a deep diving plug along the channel edges on your way out the inlet. I like to troll a chartreuse and silver Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. It dives between 9 to 13 feet depending on how fast you troll it and it’s great for grouper. You can do this same method once you get offshore along the patch reefs both north and south of the inlet.
When heading offshore to your favorite grouper spots in 60 to 200 feet of water, if you don’t have live bait, you can catch your share of grouper with squid, cut bait or my favorite, butterfly jigs. Make sure you have a pitch rod ready rigged with a jig or piece of squid on a #7 circle hook in case a cobia follows whatever you hook up with.
Dolphin are still migrating north in good numbers. As the wind will start laying down in May you will have more opportunities to go and catch them. Troll ballyhoo, squid and artificials. Look for weedlines and other floatsam and jetsam, color and temperature changes and tide rips in 90 to 250 feet of water. Once you start getting bites, stick around that depth. Keep your pitch rods ready with those #7 circle hooks and a chunk of squid to catch any of those followers. I always take at least a pound of frozen squid with me because it is such a versatile bait to use.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Chris Nelson
All Hooked Up Sportfishing Charters
Phone: (772) 408-3119
Email: CaptainChrisn@yahoo.com
Located at Harbortown Marina, Ft. Pierce, FL