Go into any fish market and you’ll find red snapper and grouper front and center. Anglers value these reef-dwellers for their delicious flesh and hard-pulling fight. Matt Vann runs Sails and Tails Kayak Charters (www.sailsand- tailskayakcharters.com) out of Pensacola, Florida; he has put many newbie anglers on their first reef fish.
Battle Tough Reef Fish
Many times the biggest grouper or snapper will bite as soon as the first bait hits the reef. “You have to be prepared,” Vann stresses, “the first shot may be the only shot.” As soon as the fish strikes, Vann instructs his anglers to crank hard and fast. “Move the fish 10 feet in two seconds,” he says, “and keep cranking.”
While he works the fish towards the surface, he moves his kayak away from the structure. Otherwise the bottom bandit will escape into the reef and break the line. Most important: “Pay attention!” Vann says. Set the drag to 30 pounds, make sure all connections are strong and focus on keeping the fish out of the rough stuff.
Trailer Rigs For Bigger Fish
When the bite slows or the fish are holding tight to the structure, Vann deploys chunks of bonita to draw the fish out into the open. “I drop a steady stream of chunks and then put one chunk on a hook and drop it into the slick.”
Vann uses a 15-foot leader of 60-pound fluorocarbon and a 5/0 to 7/0 Owner Muta hook. “The baited chunk must drop at the same rate as the chum so the fish don’t detect anything suspicious.”
Set Your Drag For Reef Fish
To set the drag on a reel, put the rod in the rod holder and tie a loop in the end of the line. Place the loop over the hook on a spring scale and pull line against the drag. Check the reading on the scale and tighten or loosen the drag. Drag should not exceed ⅓ the breaking strength of the line. Example: 60-pound line should not exceed 20 pounds of drag.
Knock, Knock On A Snapper’s Door With A Knocker Rig
Vann uses a knocker rig to get his bait deep into the structure. He starts with a six-foot leader of 60-pound fluorocarbon connected to the 50-pound braided mainline with the FG knot or double uni knot. He slides a one- to four-ounce egg sinker over the leader and ties on a 5/0 to 7/0 Owner circle hook with a uni knot. “I As the angler bounces the bait through the wreck, and giving the rig its name.
Gear & Gadgets For Snapper & Grouper
12wt’s FREEwt.
A hooded, long-sleeve sun shirt and matching neck gaiter will protect better than sunblock that can wash off and leave hands greasy. 12wt’s FREEwt. gaiter completely cov- ers the angler’s head and neck with vented fabric at the nose to prevent fogging. The OCEAN-wt. shirt features a light hoodie that can be stretched over a brimmed hat to create a personal shady spot. 12wt.com.
This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2015 issue of Kayak Angler. Subscribe to Kayak Angler Magazine’s print and digital editions, or browse the archives.
