Gag grouper are the most common grouper up and down ... sometimes made with leader wire instead on monofilament, with an 8/0 or 9/0 hook is the order of the day. Bait: Gags can be caught on fresh cut bait, such as mullet or pinfish. Tip with bait of your choice. The traditional Carolina Rig is often used with plastics. Cut pinfish can also be a good option for many species of fish. Attach 8/0 or 9/0 circle hook. Other Live Baits for Grouper: Ladyfish, Great Barracuda, Jack Crevalle, Big Menhaden, Threadfin Shad, Squirrelfish, Goggle Eye Live Bait for Red Snapper Red Snapper are heavily targeted by anglers, because they’re easy to catch once you know how, and can be found year-round if you know where to look. A constantly working live-bait rod is an excellent addition for pelagics, particularly when live-chumming. Next, wrap the loop around the hook one more time and pull it tight to secure it in place. Anal Vent When anchored and live-baiting for grouper and snapper with smaller live baits such as pilchards, herring or pinfish, threading the hook through the bait’s anal cavity and out near its stomach causes the bait to wobble and dart head-up, as if it’s injured. Using a circle hook will increase successful hook up as the fish does most of the work, less need to detect bit and set hook. But a 6-inch live pogy is just as good as anything,” says Pellegrin, who fishes both baits on a 7/0 Mustad circle hook. When live-baiting, match the size of your hook to your baitfish, he says.A hardy baitfish, such as a blue runner or jack, can handle a thicker-gauge hook without killing the bait. That’s his best hook for red snapper. Live bait is by far the best bet. With any kind of fishing, make sure your target species is able to ingest the hook and bait, says Gray. But to be successful you'll need the right gear and to use the best bait for grouper. They will also eat squid, octopus, and crabs. Most anglers love a good challenge, and few other sport fish offer a bigger challenge. Once the hook is pushed through the body of the fish make sure the point of the hook has no scales stuck on it. If scales are present on the tip of the hook it can cause you to not get a good hookset in the predator fish. When you're ready to attach your live bait, hook a needle onto the loop and pull the loop through the live bait in its back. Grouper is a great species of sport fish, and grouper fishing is a true thrill that anglers of any age can appreciate. Return to Bait Rigging page from How to Rig a Pinfish page When anchored and live-baiting for grouper and snapper with smaller live baits such as pilchards, herring or pinfish, threading the hook through the bait’s anal cavity and out near its stomach causes the bait to wobble and dart head-up, as if it’s injured. Although this is an option live or fresh cut bait is more effective when targeting Grouper. Natalie Rarick loads up on live bait, then runs 30 to 50 miles west to fish ledges, shipwrecks, big coral heads, and rockpiles in 200 to 300 feet. Finally, bring the loop over the end of the fish hook and twist the line to secure the bait to the hook. When she targets trophy red snapper out of Key West, Florida, Capt.