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Groupers are a huge genus of fish, including about 100 species. They belong to the rock perch family. In general, the family includes 50 genera and 400 species. Most groupers live in the Indo-Pacific region (more than 50 species). Fish of this genus may be called differently, for example, merow or black. Groupers, despite the general similarity, are quite different in color and size. The variability of color depends not only on the species, but also on the conditions of existence. Fish are often referred to as “sea chameleons”. Characteristic features: a large head with a huge mouth, the lower jaw is pushed forward, a massive, laterally compressed body. On the jaws there are bristle-like and several large, canine-shaped teeth. When caught, the fish should not be grabbed by the gills. Gill rakers are covered with sharp appendages, so there is a danger of injury. Sizes can vary greatly between species. In length, some individuals reach more than 2.5 m, although others grow no more than 20 cm. The giant grouper (Red Sea and Indian Ocean) grows more than 400 kg. Groupers are quite aggressive, some individuals can be dangerous for divers. Most likely, they perceive a person as a danger or a competitor. All groupers, from an early age, are active predators, food addictions do not exist. The fish sucks in its victims, creating a vacuum around the object of the hunt, opening wide its huge mouth of a rounded shape. It attacks both smaller fish or invertebrates, and, for example, sea turtles. Hunting behavior is also different. It lives at different depths near reefs of different origin, where it keeps shelters, waits for prey or patrols the bottom area near rocks or aquatic plants. They do not form large groups, they can come close to the coast, although they often live at great depths, about 100 m or more.
Fishing methods
Fish are greedy and gluttonous. The most interesting is amateur fishing for spinning lures. In addition to traditional spinning equipment, trolling, drifting and so on are used in different regions. The method of fishing and equipment depend not only on the preferences of anglers, but also on fishing conditions. In general, fishing takes place at fairly large depths near the bottom or near complex rocky terrain. With any method of fishing, either heavy baits or special deepeners are used, as in the case of trolling. When choosing gear, you should find out the size of possible trophies.
Catching groupers on spinning
The main way to fish with spinning gear is jigging. Fishing, most often, occurs from boats of various classes. For tackle, in spinning fishing for sea fish, as in the case of trolling, the main requirement is reliability. Reels should be with an impressive supply of fishing line or cord. In addition to a trouble-free braking system, the coil must be protected from salt water. Spinning fishing from a vessel may differ in the principles of bait supply. In many types of sea fishing equipment, very fast wiring is required, which means a high gear ratio of the winding mechanism. According to the principle of operation, coils can be both multiplier and inertial-free. Accordingly, the rods are selected depending on the reel system. When fishing with spinning marine fish, fishing technique is very important. To select the correct wiring, you should consult experienced local anglers or guides.
Catching groupers on trolling
Groupers, due to their size and temperament, are considered a very interesting opponent for trolling. To catch them, you will need the most serious fishing tackle. Sea trolling is a method of fishing with the help of a moving motor vehicle, such as a boat or boat. For fishing in the ocean and sea open spaces, specialized vessels equipped with numerous devices are used. The main ones are rod holders, in addition, boats are equipped with chairs for playing fish, a table for making baits, powerful echo sounders and more. Rods are also used specialized, made of fiberglass and other polymers with special fittings. Coils are used multiplier, maximum capacity. The device of trolling reels is subject to the main idea of such gear – strength. A mono-line, up to 4 mm thick or more, is measured, with such fishing, in kilometers. There are quite a lot of auxiliary devices that are used depending on the fishing conditions: for deepening the equipment, for placing baits in the fishing area, for attaching bait, and so on, including numerous items of equipment. In the case of catching groupers, an important element of the equipment are various sinkers (burrowers). Fish are caught, most often, loitering along reefs of various origins, casting bait near the fish stopovers. Trolling, especially when hunting for sea giants, is a group type of fishing. As a rule, several rods are used. In the case of a bite, for a successful capture, the coherence of the team is important. Before the trip, it is advisable to find out the rules of fishing in the region. In most cases, fishing is carried out by professional guides who are fully responsible for the event. It is worth noting that the search for a trophy at sea or in the ocean may be associated with many hours of waiting for a bite, sometimes unsuccessful.
Catching groupers by drifting
Grouper fishing by drifting involves the use of specially equipped boats or boats with rod holders. It should be borne in mind that the size of the trophies can be very significant, which requires special training from the organizers of fishing. Fishing is carried out with the help of marine rods with snaps for natural baits. The “drift” itself is carried out due to sea currents or wind. In most cases, fishing is carried out with the luring of predators by various baits of the animal composition. On the rig, some anglers use large bobber bite alarms. The slow movement of the vessel increases the fishing space and creates an imitation of the movement of the bait.
Baits
For catching groupers with amateur gear, they use various, both artificial and natural baits and nozzles. Among natural ones, it is worth noting small live fish, for example, juvenile barracudas, sardines. In addition, small cephalopods are used. For fishing on spinning, throwing or trolling, various wobblers and artificial silicone imitations are used.
Places of fishing and habitat
Groupers are common in almost all warm waters of the World Ocean and its constituent seas. As already mentioned, many types of groupers live in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. In the Atlantic, several species inhabit the Caribbean, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Off the coast of America, fish live in discontinuous ranges. Large catches of groupers off the coast of West Africa.
Spawning
For representatives of the Serranidae family, to which groupers belong, a certain feature is characteristic in the method of reproduction. Many species are hermaphrodites. Throughout life, they change their gender. For most groupers, such metamorphoses can occur several times in a lifetime, in one direction or another. During spawning, they form large groups, spawning millions of eggs, but most of them do not survive. It is believed that during spawning, fish have a strong zhor. In the Gulf of Mexico, during the spawning period, there is a massive catch of groupers with nets and hook gear, which greatly affects the number of these fish.