Charlotte Harbor Goliath Grouper Fishing
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If you are looking for an extreme fishing
challenge that delivers adrenaline pumping excitement, then goliath grouper
fishing is for you. A goliath grouper can
weigh between 100 to 600 lbs and produce a fight like no other, which makes
them a popular game fish in Southwest Florida.
Our fishing charters hunt for these beasts in
and around the old phosphate docks, near-shore wrecks and the reefs in Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte
Harbor. Fishing for
goliath grouper typically requires that we use 10-30 lb. sting-rays for bait,
depending on how large of a fish you want. General rule of thumb is bigger bait
= bigger grouper! It will take two
captains and sometimes a friend, to boat a mammoth goliath grouper. First, the angler is geared in a fighting
chair with shoulder straps. We use
400-600 lb. test mono fishing line on a 130 lb class rod with a Penn 80
International reel. Then, depending on
the currents, we typically add at least 20oz of weight to the bait, Capt. Willis will hand-line down the bait,
until he feels the monster take it. When
the goliath grouper hits the bait, the captain signals the driver to throw the
boat in reverse and the battle to pull the goliath grouper out of its hiding
place is on! This is where the extra
mates help out because the angler is literally held in his chair by the other
mates. It will typically take between
4-5 minutes of intense fighting to pull the grouper out of the reef, wreck or
underwater structure. Once out, the
angler is on his own and the battle of wills is on! Fishing for goliath groupers is not for
anyone with heart, neck, back, shoulder or any other medical conditions. YOU MUST BE IN GOOD STRONG HEALTH! So, if you meet these conditions, and are
up for the challenge, Capt. Willis is your hook-up! This is truly a unique and thrilling fishing
experience and will generally draw an audience out on the water!
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| Southwest Florida is home to a variety
of shark species. We have nurse shark,
sand shark, lemon shark, blacktip shark, bonnethead shark and shovelnose
shark. Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor
also provide nice habitats for bull shark, some up to 700 lbs., as well the
great hammerhead shark, which can get quite large. Capt. Willis was on the crew
that boated the 1280 lb, 14 1/2 foot world record hammerhead that was caught right
here in Boca Grande, Florida.
Capt. Willis offers day and night shark
trips, depending on your preference of species. Beach and Backcountry Charters usually use
cut-bait, such as mullet or ladyfish to lure in shark. Chumming is also used to help attract as many
sharks as possible. Whether you're
looking to fight a feisty bonnethead, or go for monster hammerhead, Capt.
Willis is experienced and equipped for the job. We encourage catch and release
and follow all FWC regulations. Contact us today to schedule your goliath
grouper or Florida shark fishing adventure.
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