Captain Parker's Grouper Fishing Tactics

EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Parker, the captain of the "Silver King," a charter boat based out of Destin, Florida, rarely fishes more than 10 miles off the beach, unlike many other charter-boat captains. And Parker daily produces really good numbers of bottom feeders and pelagic species. This week we'll look at how, where and when Parker fishes.

Question: Most people don't believe you can catch grouper within 2 to 9 miles of shore. How do you consistently find and catch grouper in No Man's Land?
Answer: I look for live coral bottom and big rocks on the bottom. I like to fish rocks like Sturgeon Rock, Grayton Rock, Seagrove Rock and others.

Question: Mike, can you give me five secrets for catching grouper?
Answer: Sure. 1) Fish your baits right on the bottom. Keep your line tight, but leave the weight on your line on the bottom -- regardless of whether you're fishing live or dead bait like a bonita strip. Grouper live on the bottom and are holding up in either rocks or wrecks. By keeping your bait on the bottom, you'll have it right in front of the grouper's face where the fish can eat it. 2) Use light line -- about 40-pound test -- when fishing inshore for grouper. I've found that I get more bites on light line than I do heavy line. 3) Don't jerk or lift the rod when the grouper takes the bait. Reel as fast as you can to set the hook, and take up the slack. As soon as the grouper is hooked-up and the rod is bowed, then use the rod to lift the fish out of the hole or up off the bottom. Next reel down really fast, and lift the grouper up again with the rod. 4) Be sure not to lift the grouper with the rod once you get the fish 20 feet or so up off the bottom. Switch from lifting and winding to steadily reeling. Since a big grouper will make several more runs to try and get back into the bottom, you may tear the fish free from the hook if you try and lift the rod tip. Don't reel when the grouper is pulling off drag. Let the reel and the bowed rod fight the grouper. 5) Gaff a grouper in the mouth. Not only is this the safest place to gaff the grouper so you don't lose the fish, but you also won't damage nearly as much meat. Make sure you leave the fish laying in the water. Don't attempt to pick the grouper's head up with the rod. Let the mate gaff the fish and bring it onboard.

To learn more about Captain Mike Parker's offshore charters, call (877) 827-7667, or go to the www.destincharterboats.com website.

TOMORROW: Secrets of Catching King Mackerel