Using Grunts as Bait

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

Lately, I've been catching quite a few grunt with my sabiki and I was wondering if they are good for bait. I tip it with squid because bait fish don't seem to hit it where I fish in the ICW. I usually throw them back, but I've heard here and there they're ok for bait.

I talked to a guy at my store and he told me to clip off the dorsal spines. I don't know if that is sound advice so I wanted to get your opinions before I did that.

I did at one time catch a nice Jack with a grunt, but I don't know if that was just luck or whatever.

Thanks

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

Pale Rider wrote:Kevin: Grunts work very well as bait for snook, cobia, tarpon....as for clipping the spines, I used to do that with pinfish, not so much with grunts though.

Good luck!!!
Alright awesome. What's the best rig to use when fishing with grunt? Also, where's the best place to put the hook? I usually do behind the anal fin.

I either use a fishfinder rig or I freeline it.

User avatar
PhishingPhanatic
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 6785
Joined: Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:52 pm
Location: 204 Miles From Long Key

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by PhishingPhanatic »

For bottom fishing w/ grunts I like to clip their tail, makes them swim all funky and gets predators attention.
Image

User avatar
permitchaser
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 6911
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:55 am
Location: Miami,Fla
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by permitchaser »

like PP said i like to cut the tail that blood smells they hit it faster hook behind the eyes make sure the hook come out the tip.
Image

User avatar
permitchaser
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 6911
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:55 am
Location: Miami,Fla
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by permitchaser »

i also like to clip the spines like pale rider said.
Image

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

permitchaser wrote:like PP said i like to cut the tail that blood smells they hit it faster hook behind the eyes make sure the hook come out the tip.

Ok thanks guys. When you say clip the tail, how much do I clip? The whole thing?

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

permitchaser wrote:i also like to clip the spines like pale rider said.
Pale Rider said he clips the spines on pinfish not grunts. Do you do it for grunts too permitchaser?

User avatar
permitchaser
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 6911
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:55 am
Location: Miami,Fla
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by permitchaser »

kevingp wrote:
permitchaser wrote:i also like to clip the spines like pale rider said.
Pale Rider said he clips the spines on pinfish not grunts. Do you do it for grunts too permitchaser?
yes sir the ones for grunts are harder
Image

User avatar
fishnfool73
AMBASSADOR to the... BF FORUM
Posts: 8703
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:18 am

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by fishnfool73 »

I like them free lined or under a float for tarpon, cudas, snook, or cobia. They also work well on bottom dead or alive for grouper or snapper.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

User avatar
bolo
USER BANNED
Posts: 10373
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bolo »

If I want the grunt to dive straight to bottom I hook them in the ass. If not I usually under the mouth. I do not clip anything as the hook with leader will slow them down and makes them swim erratic. For Grouper I usually butterflied a big Grunt and pitch them out or cut them in half.
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."

fixed80
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 3341
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:55 am
Location: herethere

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by fixed80 »

kevingp wrote:Lately, I've been catching quite a few grunt with my sabiki and I was wondering if they are good for bait.
take some grunts to the keys and fish the bridges. then see what you can catch.
other than that, go bottom fishing if you can over a deep wreck and see how far the bait sinks down before an AJ locks on to it. :biglaugh:

User avatar
bolo
USER BANNED
Posts: 10373
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bolo »

I only use Grunt as a last resort bait. There are better bait out there then a Grunt.
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."

User avatar
fishnfool73
AMBASSADOR to the... BF FORUM
Posts: 8703
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:18 am

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by fishnfool73 »

:stupid: Grunts are a bait of last resort .
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

User avatar
permitchaser
BLACK FIN TUNA
Posts: 6911
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:55 am
Location: Miami,Fla
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by permitchaser »

lil YELLOW TAILS :mrgreen: I dont used them :mrgreen:
Image

BigBoiFishing
With skills like these "Who needs a boat"
Posts: 1021
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Miami, Fl
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by BigBoiFishing »

Bolo I keep hearing "butterfly" is that the same as what you do to Fillet Mignon?

User avatar
james380
........POST HO........... "I post for FREE"
Posts: 6625
Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:08 pm
Location: Jupiter

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by james380 »

Butterflying is when you fillet the bait up to the head on both sides and then pull the bones out.
Image
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners."
- Charlton Heston
"Truth is treason in an empire of lies." - Ron Paul
In the beginning god created Evolution.

BigBoiFishing
With skills like these "Who needs a boat"
Posts: 1021
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Miami, Fl
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by BigBoiFishing »

james380 wrote:Butterflying is when you fillet the bait up to the head on both sides and then pull the bones out.
AAAAAHHHH :idea: Thanks bro, btw LandShark beer isn't that bad. :toast:

You wanna taste an ass of a bear, try Steel Reserve 211 :pale:

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

BigBoiFishing wrote:
james380 wrote:Butterflying is when you fillet the bait up to the head on both sides and then pull the bones out.
AAAAAHHHH :idea: Thanks bro, btw LandShark beer isn't that bad. :toast:

You wanna taste an ass of a bear, try Steel Reserve 211 :pale:
.
Steel Reserve is hobo beer, along with Natty Ice.

Drink Guinness, it drinks like a meal.

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

fishnfool73 wrote:I like them free lined or under a float for tarpon, cudas, snook, or cobia. They also work well on bottom dead or alive for grouper or snapper.
I went out and it was still slack tide, so not a whole lot of baitfish where I was but I got some grunts. I freelined a live grunt with the hook behind the anal fin and let it soak for about ten minutes. Got a nice barracuda on my light tackle. 9 lbs or so. It was a fun fight. Frayed the hell out of my 50 lb. mono.

kevingp
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 109
Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 10:36 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by kevingp »

bolo wrote:I only use Grunt as a last resort bait. There are better bait out there then a Grunt.
I have this same philosophy. I was a bit early for high tide today, so no bait. I used grunts as my back up until the bait started to come in.

User avatar
chum on her face
Old Salt
Posts: 380
Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:50 pm
Location: miami

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by chum on her face »

BigBoiFishing wrote:Bolo I keep hearing "butterfly" is that the same as what you do to Fillet Mignon?
why would you butterfly a fillet mignon????
Image

User avatar
bolo
USER BANNED
Posts: 10373
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bolo »

chum on her face wrote:
BigBoiFishing wrote:Bolo I keep hearing "butterfly" is that the same as what you do to Fillet Mignon?
why would you butterfly a fillet mignon????
This way they feel like they are getting a bigger steak. :D
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."

User avatar
BRunner346
"WE RUN IT"
Posts: 3262
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 8:10 pm
Location: Miami

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by BRunner346 »

bolo you know way too many restaurant tricks :lol:
Image
"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."

BigBoiFishing
With skills like these "Who needs a boat"
Posts: 1021
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Miami, Fl
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by BigBoiFishing »

chum on her face wrote:
BigBoiFishing wrote:Bolo I keep hearing "butterfly" is that the same as what you do to Fillet Mignon?
why would you butterfly a fillet mignon????
No idea, when I used to be a server @ Roadhouse Grill sometimes the guy on the grill would do that.

User avatar
fishnfool73
AMBASSADOR to the... BF FORUM
Posts: 8703
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:18 am

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by fishnfool73 »

Butterfly a filet add a slice of gorganzolo or blue cheese then grill medium rare ....
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

User avatar
bolo
USER BANNED
Posts: 10373
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bolo »

BigBoiFishing wrote:
chum on her face wrote:
BigBoiFishing wrote:Bolo I keep hearing "butterfly" is that the same as what you do to Fillet Mignon?
why would you butterfly a fillet mignon????
No idea, when I used to be a server @ Roadhouse Grill sometimes the guy on the grill would do that.
Why did Roadhouse Grill went belly up again? :biglaugh:
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."

BigBoiFishing
With skills like these "Who needs a boat"
Posts: 1021
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:25 am
Location: Miami, Fl
Contact:

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by BigBoiFishing »

No idea bolo, the last time I worked there was 6yrs ago. I worked for them in Georgia & Fl.

I was a server, host, bartender, on the fryer, grill cook sub, food runner, etc.

I got fired and rehired so many times that after the last time I was deemed unhirable by the company.

One time in Georgia I had a table of 5 that paid with gift certificates (they were mexicanos but I had high hopes being the meal was free). Any ways, when I get back to the table there was 15cents on the table.

I went outside only to see them piling up into a brand new Expedition. I got all the change and pitched it at the car and when they came out I told them they needed it more than I did.

That was the 1st time I got fired.

User avatar
bolo
USER BANNED
Posts: 10373
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:17 pm
Location: South Florida

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bolo »

Guys, remind me not to hire BigBoi. Needs a little work on the customer service. 8)
The Judge asked the prostitute, "At what point did you realize you were raped?"
The prostitute replied (wiping away tears), "When the check bounced."

User avatar
GO4EM
SHARKER
Posts: 2450
Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 12:57 pm

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by GO4EM »

BigBoiFishing wrote:You wanna taste an ass of a bear
It took me a while to think about this and I would have to say my answer is a no. Thank you for the offer!
I dream of a better tomorrow... where chickens can cross roads and not have their motives questioned

bunun
Seasoned Fisher
Posts: 130
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 10:56 am

Re: Using Grunts as Bait

Post by bunun »

a whole 3 years to think about it

Post Reply

Return to “Species info--Dedicated to Targeting”