[Big EZ Lineman]

I am going on the Capt. John next weekend! I really want to catch a big grouper! Some of the water is 3000 feet +. Will the groupers be on the bottom at these depths? I was wondering about catching trout the day before for bait. Is this a good idea? Is it legal? Just looking for some professional advice on how to catch them big groupers.

Big EZ Lineman

 

[Minnow]

Welcome aboard.

I am not an expert, so here is my take on deep drop.
3000 ft is way too deep for deep drop, at this depth fish species are different than most of us have seen. Tile fish, oil fish, shark, pomfret etc are common deep water catch.

I don't think is a good idea to drop down to 3000 ft, unless you have an electric reel.
I have use bonito chunk, blackfin tuna chunk, squid and live hard tail for deep drop up to 700-1000ft deep. It's not fun if you have to change your bait on conventional reel.

I would not recommend you to drop more than 1000ft with manual reel.

Is it legal? Sorry, I am not sure about this.

All these are just my personal opinion.

Good luck on your quest to catch giant grouper, please let us know how it goes.

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

i would be more apt to drop with a green light on a sword setup if they are tied to the rig.

 

[CAP]

You can do it with manual reel but not to 3000 foot depths. (unless you have and reel and has more than a mile of line on it, 10--15 lb lead weights, and biceps the size of small children).

I could not reach 1400 foot depths with 2100 feet of line and 8 lb weight. What really sucked about the entire experience is a small shark bit off my 6 hook leader (300lb mono), my deep drop light, and 8 lb of weight 10 feet from the boat. This was after more than 20 minutes of reeling to get all my line back on the reel. If I was going to get bitten off, do it before all that friggin work!!!

I like to think that the shark got tangled in the leader and eventually died a horendously painful death as he was uncontrollably dragged down to the bottom of the ocean by my lead weight. But in all actuality I think he came after my light and inadvertently shreaded my leader.

-CP

 

[Ragman]

Hey EZ Lineman!

Are you going with Okie Lineman?

You should go after your big grouper when the CaptJohn stops at the rigs during the trip's bottom fishing, anywhere from 65' to 125'. That will be your best chance at your grouper.

Remember, you can't put too big of a live bait down!

It's illegal to use a sport fish -speckled trout- as bait.

The 3000' depth you talking about will be when the boat ties up to one of the rigs for the overnight tuna bite.

Get your strongest rig set up with a big non-offset circle hook, 3-5 pounds of weight, nose or butt hook a big live bait, hardtail or chub, and send her down.

Lock the drag all the way down and get ready for the best tug of war you've ever experienced!

 

[Big EZ Lineman]

Okie Lineman and 2 other operators from our crew are going with me. I've been going to Galveston for the past 20 years. My Dad took me down there every year to fish when I was a kid. I've only been on the snapper trips though. Caught a few ling on them trips. I really like catching those Bull Reds off of Galveston Fishing Pier. Not sure if the Bulls will be there next weekend, this is the earliest I've ever been. Plan on going to Florida in June! If I don't catch my grouper next weekend, my odds are higher in Florida. Is live bait necessary for grouper?

Big EZ Lineman

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

i have seen people use the whole side (fillets) of fish instead of live bait for grouper... something REALLY oily.. bonita, or a blackfin slab

 

[dewman27]

The depth ranges you are speaking of are from the depths of Boomvang Or Nansen, we can not tie up to these rigs just the mooring balls. We drift fish these rigs, however if we tie up to tequilla, cervesa, etc. then yes absolutely bottom fish save some smaller sized blue runners to send back down. I will be there to help you get rigged up for some nice fish if we get to make the stops for them.

Ben
1st Mate Capt. John
Williams Party Boats

 

[Drifter]

Ben,

A couple of members recently stated Capt John's didn't target YFT on their 36 hr trips. If this is true, are you at liberty to provide the details that led to this decision?

I'm gearing up for my first Capt John 36 hr trip scheduled 6 -7. It would be helpful to know our intended targets.

Thanks!

 

[dewman27]

We target tuna when we go on the 36 hour trips. I have gaffed a few yellow fin tuna, we go out to catch fish. There are a few things to consider, when the yft are at the deep spar rigs we do anything we can to catch them, however it is not as easy as it looks. Fish feed when they are hungry, they have been there a few times and just flat out would not bite. If the weather is rough then we go to rigs and tie up, in the history of Williams Party Boats Tuna Safaris (1990) YFT have not been at those rigs( tequila cerveza etc.). So to answer your question we go out to catch fish and target the BFT if the YFT are there that is and added bonus.


Ben
1st Mate Capt. John
www.galvestonfishingboats.com

 

[Big EZ Lineman]

Thanks for the information Ben. I will be looking for you on the boat. My Dad and I have been customers for about 20 years. My Dad about 25 years.

Big EZ Lineman

 

[Drifter]

Thanks for responding Ben! See you April 6th.

Louis

 

[Ragman]

Hey Ben!

Thanks for responding AND for participating in this site! Though my Pop started me offshore fishing in Port A -on the ScatCat and WharfCat- I have enjoyed every trip that I've done on the Texsun II!

Caught my first blackfin tuna with the help of Shane? second captain who's also a comm. fisher on the side, late at night and on a chunk that had been out for about 90 minutes! LOL

Glad to have you here!

Big EZ, just use the biggest bait you can rig up! You won't get as many strikes or hook ups because of its size, but when you do hook up, there will be no question as to what you'll be fighting!

 

[Big EZ Lineman]

Tom, I will be sure and post the results of our fishing trip. We are going to hit the Galveston Fishing Pier Thursday evening and all day Friday. Then get on the boat Saturday. I've caught quit a bit of Bull Reds off of this pier. I haven't ever been in April though!

Thanks for all of the information from all ofa yall!!!

Big EZ Lineman

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

some friends and I got on a sheepshead bite one evening on the Galv pier.. we found them stacked on one pier under the middle building where the stairs are at... Its been so long, I dont even know if the pier is that long anymore. frsh-live shrimp with a small sinker on the bottom. you had to be lightening fast on the hookset though or they got your bait. We had a blast. salt fishing is SOOOOOOOOOO much more fun than freshwater.. I hope you guys tear em up inshore and offshore!! Good Luck!

 

[Big EZ Lineman]

I believe the Galveston Fishing Pier is about 1/4 mile long and has a 300 foot "T" head. I usually set up at the middle building below the stairs and cast back to the east. My sense of direction may be screwed up. I take finger mullet and cut the tail off at about the gutt sack and hook it in the mouth and send it out. Seems to be a very successful way to catch the Bull reds. Works for me anyways! I really enjoy the fight! Freshwater fishing is great here in Oklahoma. But saltwater fishing is better because of the fight and you never know what you have on the other end! In about 100 years, when I can retire, I would like to get closer to the saltwater!

Big EZ Lineman

 

[SkeeterRonnie]

ditto on retiring near the salt!