NEAR SHORE
Hogfish are a headline target right now. Cold snaps bunch them up; stable weather keeps them chewing. Our go‑to is live shrimp on light tackle: 4000–5000 series spinner, 20–30 lb braid to 10–15 ft of 30 lb mono/fluoro, knocker rig with 1–2 oz egg sinker and a 3/0–4/0 hook. Think smaller ledges, patches of flat hard bottom, and shell seams in 40–70 ft. Work patiently—grunts and porgies usually fire first, then the hogs.
Mackerel are thick and bait pods are pushing threadfins along the beaches. Have a trolling spread (spoons, planers, small plugs) ready on the way out, and a flat‑line ready over structure. Kingfish are in the mix—wire or long‑shank options help and keep a pitch rod rigged with a stinger for sky‑rocket bites.
Lane Snapper are steady, especially deeper near shore (50–90 ft). Squid gets quick action; bigger lanes prefer live shrimp or smaller threadfin chunks. Mangrove Snapper have been hit‑or‑miss in the shallows but improve as you stretch toward the deepest near‑shore edges—downsize to 30–40 lb leader, 3/0–4/0 double‑snell with 1-2 inche long threadfin chunks.
Red Grouper are occasional near shore; the keeper ratio improves with depth. If you stay inside 100 ft, commit to moving until you find a good patch of flat hard bottom or small potholes, then feed them whole squid, bonita strips, or lively pinfish.
OFFSHORE
Red Grouper remain the principal target over flat hard bottom, potholes, and low relief ledges. Big dead baits—bonita strips, whole squid, Boston mackerel—and stout live offerings (pinfish, squirrel fish) on 60–80 lb leader and 7/0–10/0 circles are the ticket. Keep hopping until you land on life, then grind in that depth range to fill up on the numbers. Stick and move is the game.
Mangrove Snapper are steady with quality fish in the mix. Cut threadfin on a 5/0–6/0 double‑snell is our workhorse; for the real bruisers, step up to small/medium pinfish on 40–60 lb leaders. Yellowtail Snapper respond to lighter tackle (around 40 lb), smaller hooks, and thin squid strips— especially near dusk, dawn, and at night.
Mutton Snapper have been a welcome surprise—fish a medium pinfish on lighter leaders and be patient. Triggerfish are chewing on 2″ chewy squid or bonita strips; keep baits compact for their small mouths. Scamp Grouper show when your fishing some ledges or potholes with medium pinfish and 50–60 lb leader.
Pelagics: keep a flat‑line or two set—blackfin tuna, kingfish, mahi, and the occasional wahoo have been cruising. Jigs and live baits get opportunistic strikes while you’re bottom fishing; on the move, small lipped divers and feathers cover water efficiently.