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Curtains for Grouper and Snapper

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Fish-finder rigs use a snap connector with a nylon sleeve that slips over the line to attach a sinker, and they work fine for inshore species such as striped bass and red drum. But to get the same benefits out of the rig with deep-water species such as grouper and snapper, I replace the snap with a metal shower-curtain ring. The larger ring allows me to put one to three pounds of bank sinkers on the line. I bait the hook with a whole squid or mackerel and lower it down to the structure, keeping my reel out of gear, but using thumb pressure to prevent an overrun. When I feel a tug, I let up on the thumb pressure until about six feet of line goes out, engage the reel and set the hook.

– James Burch, Durham, North Carolina

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