Bottom Fishing Deep Water Ledges

• Optimize boat positioning - Position yourself exactly in the right position up-current of the structure you're fishing. Ten feet too far and you won't catch as many fish, as precise placement determines whether your baits reach the strike zone effectively
• Read upwelling patterns - Target areas where tidal movements create upwelling conditions that concentrate baitfish and trigger feeding activity among bottom species like grouper, snapper, and tilefish
• Use power drifting techniques - When anchoring is not a viable option, such as over deep wrecks, reefs and bottom structures, use the boat to slow the drift or hold in place. "Power drifting" is when a boat's outboards are used to stem the force of a current or drift, allowing a bait more soak time on a promising spot
• Select proper tackle for depth - For serious bottom fishing, braid lines excel over nylon monofilament because the zero stretch provides greater sensitivity to feel what's going on and, in turn, set hooks effectively at considerable depths
• Choose appropriate sinker weights - Choose a sinker just heavy enough to reach bottom while maintaining sensitivity to detect subtle bites from large fish holding along the ledge structure
• Focus on predator positioning zones - Concentrate your efforts on the up-current side of any bottom structure where predatory fish naturally position themselves to ambush prey swept along by the current
• Match bait presentation to conditions - Use live grunts and shrimp, cut squid or bonito, and artificial slow pitch jigs depending on current strength and target species activity levels