What is best for a Grouper Rig??? - The Hull Truth

jstewart09 · 02-09-2008, 06:13 PM

I've always been told that the best Grouper rig is a Heavy rod, a PENN 113-H with 60-80 lb. mono and a 6 oz. barrel sinker. Is this the best. Also what type of bait is the best. I have always used Sardines, but I have also heard that Gray Snapper is great for the big boys.

John @ TackleDirect · 02-13-2008, 12:15 PM

That will work.....heavy rod or for some group 30-50lb class tackle. My buddy Ben Chancey from http://www.chewonthis.tv uses the Avet T-RX with 100lbs of drag for the Goliath grouper down there in Florida and he hooks Live Rays as bait!!!!

Check out the Avet LX http://www.tackledirect.com/avet-jx-lx-reels.html

John

sbp0317 · 02-18-2008, 07:20 AM

I would prefer braid over mono because braid has no stretch. You will need this when grouper fishing so you can yank them out of the recks. With mono you have a very good chance of the grouper hanging you in the reck because of the line stretch!

A 113H special senator is fine but braid also allows you to lighten your tackle. Ive got my Penn 706z filled with braid and several other spin fishers filled with braid and I grouper fish with all of them and it works great.

Brant peacher
Tackle Rep
[email protected]

jstewart09 · 02-18-2008, 08:13 AM

What about Penn 160s do those work???

BoatFull · 02-18-2008, 10:45 AM

I would suggest at least 30lb rod, 80 lb braid line with 150lb leader(down to 50lb depending on water clarity), and the reel is personal choice. I use a Penn 113, Penn 112H, Penn 330GTI, Shimano TLD25, and Shimano Torium 30. Most all of it's about what you feel comfortable with. You can spent a lot or a little and still get pretty much the same results. My favorite is my 20-something year old 113 Senator, just because that's one that my father passed down to me as a kid.

spearnreel · 02-23-2008, 01:19 PM

Here is the headboat classic. I also use this set-up and have been for years (I use to use mono main line and leader).
Ugly Stik BWB 1120 8' rod
Penn 113h 4/0 reel (Penn 330 GTi if you like levelwind)
stand. knocker rig w/ 60-100 # flourcarbon leader (varies)
I like to use live bait hooks unless I am in super deep water I'll use circle hooks....but looks like circle hooks will be mandatory on Florida reef fishing.
I have also been won over by braided line.....I use PowerPro 65#

You can get this set up for right around $200

here is a headboat's recomendations that fishes the Florida Middle Grounds (bottom fishing speactacular)
http://www.vikingfleet.com/vikingnew...d=58&zoneid=14

Offshorefisher79 · 04-01-2013, 05:14 PM

Down in FL where I fish we use very heavy set up for goliath groupers. We use at least 125# main line with a leader that is equally as strong. I use a penn international 30W on a star rod 50-80 pound class. We upgraded our gear because our regular grouper rods (80 pound braid) were not nearly enough to stop these big beasts. the goliaths that we target are 225 pounds and up that why we had to upgrade