Attractant: Bait

• The first attractant to consider when fishing for grouper is the bait. In the wild, grouper feed on crustaceans, crawfish, small fish and squid. Groupers are ambush hunters, more silent than active. Only occasionally do grouper actually actively chase their prey.
  
  

Habitat

• Grouper are found in waters at a depth of up to 185 feet. They are found hiding in rocks and shipwrecks, and they stalk their prey as they perch in little caverns. Hook crabs, squid or small fish and let the angler line drop straight down while your boat stays put. This attracts the groupers out of their hiding places in the rock. Coral reefs are also popular hiding grounds for grouper.
  
  

Catching After Attracting

• Once ascertaining the attractants to catch grouper, it is imperative to have the right fishing equipment. A fishing pole measuring 6 to 7 feet is ideal made with a graphite core. You will also need a sinker, leader and a heavy-duty hook. Hooks should be steel constructed with an inward curve to secure the fish on the line. The fishing line should be 60 to 80 pound line, meaning it can hold up to 80 pounds of force. Line heavier than that is not needed and can be a deterrent to the fish.
  
  

The Goliath Grouper

• The Goliath grouper is a species of grouper that been put on the critically endangered list. It can be found in 185 feet of water to waters as shallow as 15 feet. These extremely large grouper, often called jewfish, can reach lengths of 8 feet and weight up to 800 pounds. Any harvest, capture or consumption of this fish is banned by the World Conservation Union. If you happen to catch this fish, place it back in its natural habitat immediately.