Florida & Georgia - Middle grounds info

Somewhat thinking of a middle grounds trip but don't have any numbers. Is it worth going out there and just searching for bottom? It's over 100 mi for me, don't have the range to cruise around all day looking.

Also, is it worth fishing any of the weather buoys ou there? How big are they?

Where are you launching out of? If your out of Tallahassee I'm guessing maybe Carabelle?

The middle grounds has some of the most amazing bottom structure you will ever see. There are tons of places for fish to hide. You shouldn't have much trouble finding good bottom

Once you get to the grounds you wont need any particular numbers, 30 ft cliffs and breaks are all over the place. It's a long ride and unless you dive not worthwhile unless ARS season is open IMO.

We fish the Middle grounds all the time. There is a smorgasbord of species out there black fin tuna,mahi,red grouper,gag grouper,king fish,red snapper,vermillion snapper,porgys the list just goes on. The bottom is off the chain if you go you will see what everyone is talking about.Everytime we fish the middle grounds we fill the box I mean eveytime.The Mahi will swim up to the boat when you back down to set the hook so you need to have a pich bait ready for them. If you look at this furm you will see pictures of our last trip.Look at the Middle Grounds pictures thread.Good luck and let me know if you need any more help.

Not sure ars season would make a difference for me, not going to run 100mi for 2 fish.

I'd be going out of Panacea, little longer run than carrabelle.

What kind of depths are most productive, I literally have no idea where to start! Just head to the middle of the "middle grounds" on the chart? West deeper edge? That's why I was wondering about that buoy out there.

I mention ARS season because you will have a hell of a time getting baits past them, I'll be back on the grounds in the winter but for now there's just no real point. It's a long ass ride to have ARS chew all of your baits up.

[QUOTE=BigbaitBigfish;4857804]Not sure ars season would make a difference for me, not going to run 100mi for 2 fish.

I'd be going out of Panacea, little longer run than carrabelle.

What kind of depths are most productive, I literally have no idea where to start! Just head to the middle of the "middle grounds" on the chart? West deeper edge? That's why I was wondering about that buoy out there.[/QUOT



There is a noaa boey 42036 that is about 15 miles from one of my middle grounds numbers. That is the boey I read before heading out there.It will tell you everything you need to know as far as the weather. We all ways look for 1' or less wave height. This time of year it can go weeks at that wave height. Head out to the middle grounds on your chart plotter and when you get there watch your sonar and it won't take long and you will see boulder the size of house everywhere. Just find one that shows life on your sonar and fish it.Just make sure you post some pictures of your catch:thumbsup:

contact grouperking on this site. he sells numbers in the middle grounds. if you are going to spend the money on fuel, whats a few more dollars to have exact numbers.

contact grouperking on this site. he sells numbers in the middle grounds. if you are going to spend the money on fuel, whats a few more dollars to have exact numbers.

X2

Somewhat thinking of a middle grounds trip but don't have any numbers. Is it worth going out there and just searching for bottom? It's over 100 mi for me, don't have the range to cruise around all day looking.

Also, is it worth fishing any of the weather buoys ou there? How big are they?
Personally I would never run 100 miles without a group of #'s
Here's two for free just at the foot of the grounds. Catch all the Mangos you want.
Have fun!!

2812.921
8403.642

2812.651
8403.554

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72QgO4BIL7Q

Ha! Monster hogs. Are there lobster out there? If so, they must be huge.

There are lobster out there. I have never found them in quantity to warrant a trip just for them but have found them on occasion.

Thanks for the info guys and thanks for those numbers. What quadrant are they in?

Thanks for the info guys and thanks for those numbers. What quadrant are they in?
South
They're good #'s enjoy. We have recently moved to Lauderdale and I really don't expect to fish the grounds again but for 25 great years I've pulled a lot of fish from the gulf.

South
They're good #'s enjoy. We have recently moved to Lauderdale and I really don't expect to fish the grounds again but for 25 great years I've pulled a lot of fish from the gulf.

Those numbers are wayyyyy south. You probably wouldn't want to go there from Carrabelle or even Cedar Key.

They would be Tarpon Springs or Tampa based numbers.

You would want to hit the North side 2840's and a 8410.
Carrabelle is still a hike. I would fish inshore of the grounds. Nothing special out there.. sure tons of bottom but fishing is eh.. I made 5 day trips through the grounds and found myself heading inside the grounds more often than not. There are tons of spots to fish out there but it gets hammered pretty hard. I am not saying the fishing sucks out there just saying its a big general area that gets a lot of pressure from head boats, lots of commerical guys and weekend rec guys.
You have a lot of bottom inbetween you and the grounds that are very fishable and loaded up. Not a lot of pressure up your way.
Yeah don't make a 100 mile run for 14 fish each. 4 reds, 10 go's... if you hit it right jacks will be open, you and if you hit it next year you can pull a few ARS, gags, reds, go's jacks, phin, tuna ect...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72QgO4BIL7Q

How'd you attach the go pro to your mask?

You would want to hit the North side 2840's and a 8410.
Carrabelle is still a hike. I would fish inshore of the grounds. Nothing special out there.. sure tons of bottom but fishing is eh.. I made 5 day trips through the grounds and found myself heading inside the grounds more often than not. There are tons of spots to fish out there but it gets hammered pretty hard. I am not saying the fishing sucks out there just saying its a big general area that gets a lot of pressure from head boats, lots of commerical guys and weekend rec guys.
You have a lot of bottom inbetween you and the grounds that are very fishable and loaded up. Not a lot of pressure up your way.
Yeah don't make a 100 mile run for 14 fish each. 4 reds, 10 go's... if you hit it right jacks will be open, you and if you hit it next year you can pull a few ARS, gags, reds, go's jacks, phin, tuna ect...

Awe c'mon don't tell me that! We really don't have any deep numbers and wanted to go out there just to say we did kinda thing....and figured we could get a shot at some pelagics we really can't target around here. What I really want are bigger fish, need to dig up some numbers out west in deeper water....most of our spots are off panacea/st marks so 30-60 feet of water.

its pretty shallow on the NE side of the grounds which is where you would be coming up from. 80-120ft. If you get west into the grounds you will see 150ft ish.
There are small phin out there rouge tuna, king fish ect. I would not go to the middle grounds targeting pelagic. You will find some but that would not be my goal. If you want that stuff run W/SW of the grounds to the 240 break, or elbow area. You would want to trailer your boat to tampa for the trip to the elbow.

and when you say "bigger" what is your idea of bigger? Mine is 50-70lb rusty belly's or if we are snapper fishing 20-30lb snaps.
If we are king fishing anything over 25lbs
Tuna anything over 8-10lbs
Go's 5-8lbs

If I lived up that way, I would be trailering my boat over to Destin to fish the Edge, Nipple, etc, or tow to Pensacola/Gulf Shores and hitting the rigs.

If I lived up that way, I would be trailering my boat over to Destin to fish the Edge, Nipple, etc, or tow to Pensacola/Gulf Shores and hitting the rigs.:thumbsup:

If I lived up that way, I would be trailering my boat over to Destin to fish the Edge, Nipple, etc, or tow to Pensacola/Gulf Shores and hitting the rigs.
yeah me too. Did not think about that I was zoned in on his wishes to fish the grounds and not so much on how far he would be driving just to fish the elbow. So yeah, head west VIA truck and trailer my man and you shall find the fish in which you seek :grin:

Yeah but I'm lazy and like my boat on the lift:grin:

Yeah wouldn't mind a few 50lb gags, most of what we catch are gags up to 15 lbs only.

Heres todays haul, not too shabby for half day trip

Cobes went 60 and 40, always look smaller at the dock !

Hmmmm problems uploading on iphone....

man we have been catching 15 lb gags in 45-60ft of water or 8-14 miles out here. Had 3 over 15. Should have shots at 20-40lb gags in the grounds.. SHOTS at them... deeper water like 200-250+ ft you should be slap bent up on them

17 miles out avg gags for here 24-28"

262641

Those numbers are wayyyyy south. You probably wouldn't want to go there from Carrabelle or even Cedar Key.

They would be Tarpon Springs or Tampa based numbers.


You can get numbers from this website http://www.floridagofishing.com/reefs/gps-reefs-interactive-chart.html. This Interactive Google Earth app shows the Middle Grounds outlined, gives you a good idea where you are. Just signup for their mail list and ask for Pasco County chart that has the numbers for Middle Grounds that you see on the chart. They have all the charts available even though there not on the website, I got Pinellas County last week from them for free. They are cool guys!