fishing offshore?

Question

is pinfish a good grouper bait? or what is a better bait

Answer 1

A live pinfish, grunt or cigar minnow will also attract the attention of a hungry grouper. We always try to keep at least one live bait anchored to the bottom while fishing with squid. Often, shallow water grouper will show a preference for one over the other. Live baitfish can be secured while jigging a bait-catcher rig (or sabiki), or fishing right on the bottom with a No. 6 hook and a small piece of squid.



Small octopy also frequent the inshore fish havens and are often attracted to grouper baits. If you are lucky enough to catch one, cut off one or two of the legs and use small pieces for bait. Grouper absolutely love octopus. Another great bait is cut black seabass. When small pinfish and other scavengers are stealing your squid, a piece of cut seabass will stay on your hook longer.



Heavy bottom-fishing tackle is recommended for working grouper away from the sharp edges of the artificial reef. A short, 5-foot boat rod with an extra-stiff tip section will give you some advantage, matched with monofilament fishing line in the neighborhood of 80-pound test. Several bottom fishermen have switched to 80- or 100-pound-test braided line, a no-stretch option that some use to snatch large groupers off a reef in a head-jerking second.

Answer 2

Pinfish is good so is mullett.