How to Patch Reef Fish
Patch Reef fishing can be some of the most action packed and fun fishing there is, if done right. Multiple species can be found along the reef at different depths and structure formations. Grouper and snapper are among the most common and most targeted species on the patch reefs, for their quality meat and superb fight.
A proper rod and reel combo is crucial for this style of fishing. You want to be prepared for light and medium tackle for the various species of fish that hold on patch reefs. For the smaller variety of fish, a 7 ft. 8-15 lb. class rod, coupled with a 2000-3000 size spinning reel spooled with 15-30 lb. braided line offers the best combination for light tackle fun and enough backbone to turn a slightly larger fish. For larger species fish, you will want to use a 7 ft. 15-30 lb. class rod with a 4000-5000 class spinning reel spooled with 30-50 lb. braided line to ensure you will be able to turn those large Muttons and Grouper. You will want to have multiples of these rod combos on the boat to keep you well equipped for what the reef has to offer.
There are a few ways to rig for patch reef fishing. One popular way is the “Carolina Rig”. To make this rig, you will need to slide a small weight, ranging from 1/8 ounce to 1 ½ ounces to your mainline, depending on current, followed by a swivel and then a 12-18 inch piece of leader material ranging from 20 lb. to 50 lb. depending on your targeted species. Then tie the “Patch King” circle hook to the leader, baited with either live or chunk bait and you’re all set for patch reef fishing. Another way is to use a swivel from the mainline to a 12-18 inch piece on leader material ranging from 20-50 lb. depending on your targeted species, attached to a small jig head ranging from 1/8 ounce to ¾ ounce depending on current and tipping it with a piece of bait fish such as ballyhoo or silver sides. Another popular way to fish the reefs is free-lining a silver side or live bait back past the range of sight for Flag Yellowtail Snapper. Use a 4-6 ft. section of leader material attached to the mainline without a swivel. A uni to uni knot proves to be a strong knot for this application, then tie your “Patch King” hook straight to the leader and use a silver side or chunk bait to call in the fish. You want your bait to sink no faster than that of the chum. This ensures a natural presentation of the bait for the fish to be fooled. Weight is often used to maintain proper sinking rates.
Anchoring just up current of the reef and chumming is the most crucial part of a successful day of patch reef fishing. Using frozen chum blocks along with a menhaden oil and oatmeal mix will attract the fish to you so that you can enjoy a great day of fishing. The chum blocks will also attract baitfish such as Ballyhoo, Sardines and more to the boat so that you can cast net or use a sabiki rig to catch some live bait and use on the reefs. Ballyhoo can show up in as little as 15 minutes of the chum being placed in the water with other baitfish to follow. It takes about 45 minutes of chumming to really call in the good size Yellowtail called “Flags”. You will want to bring quite a few chum blocks when you prepare for a full day of patch reef fishing. We have found that 5 chum blocks is an adequate amount of chum to enjoy a successful full day of patch reef fishing. Live bait and chunk bait fishing is among the most popular styles of fishing the patch reefs. Using live bait can produce some large Mutton Snapper& Red Grouper. Chunk baits will entice the Yellowtail Snapper & Mangrove Snapper to bite along with a variety of other fish that call the reef home.
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to different styles of fishing and this article is written to give you a good base and starting point for fishing patch reefs. You can apply these methods along with your own to improve your craft of fishing. Vanguard Wolfe offers hooks and tackle to help get you started fishing on the patch reefs. Our signature “Patch King” hook is an excellent choice of hooks for patch reef fishing. Coming in a variety of sizes in Octopus style “J” and “Circle” hooks, our hooks are quality tested to ensure the best product we can offer.
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