Goliath grouper at Naples Pier

This was my first big Goliath at the pier. I couldn’t have caught it without all the help from everybody. Still got to work on my technique. I was using a 80lb class custom rod with a Shimano TLD 2 speed 30 wide.

[@jeremythompson1593]

Me and friend Michale Kiser caught a giant grouper on the end of the Carolina beach pier in North Carolina about 20 years ageo! We both had giant reels with 50lb test using huge hooks and 150lb steel leader, we were using 16” whiting for bait… But around 9:30 pm his clicker started screaming!!! 3 hours and 15 minutes later we finally got to see what he had on the line!! About 20 people with flash lights were scanning the water and boom! A HUGE Giant Grouper!!!!! As we were attempting to beach the grouper the leader broke right at the hook!!!!! For two 16 year old teenagers we were pumped!!!! There was at least 100+ people at the end of the pier cheering us on dying to see what was on the other end of the line…: definitely one experience we both will never forget about….. I bet you were sore the next day, I know me and Michale were! Our arms were real sore for a few days after that fight….

[@SWFL_REAPER]

I usually end up limping the next day or two from fighting these fish. I know the exact feeling you got, love to hear a great story

[@freddyfishing-ct7819]

Buenos días un gusto conocerte y un honor ser parte de tu lindo canal bendiciones y saludos desde Bridgeport Connecticut en USA 🇺🇸 muy lindo contenido

[@newfoundland042961]

Awesome video! That young man was a great cheerleader and so excited for you fantastic! I can see him in his own series fishing River Monsters!

[@jsafishing7918]

Awesome Fish bro, that was a crazy experience for me to see!!

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Hell yeah buddy, glad you got to see it 🤘🏼

[@moseskongi4746]

@@SWFL_REAPER Damn, you must have been able to put enough in the freezer to feed off that ngga for months. Goliath has amazing firm white fillets.

[@alwayswatching662]

The kids being all excited was better then the fish get out live life great vid

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Absolutely

[@robertdijkhoff5256]

@@SWFL_REAPER ĺpv0

[@Michael1986443]

That bushy hair girl had her first orgasam

[@fudgenugget2690]

Nice fish man! Love lil bro with the crazy hairs energy😂

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Love it when kids get excited to see the fish. That’s how we get the next generation into the sport!

[@amazingdadvlogs2109]

You did a final battle of that grouper.That is just so huge.I did expect that weight.Pretty awesome.Great fishing,excited fishing,and happy rod fishing at pier.

[@ShinyTyphoon96]

Awesome catch Zach! If only there catches like this close to Stoughton 😭

[@SWFL_REAPER]

I wouldn’t have left if I could catch Goliath grouper in stoughton 🤣

[@ShinyTyphoon96]

@@SWFL_REAPER Cape Cod shark fishing could be a play 👀

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@ShinyTyphoon96 the sharks down here are much better

[@jwoz8517]

So how do you get the hook out and release it?

[@donald1841]

That rod and real combo is off the chain.

[@laceypage2043]

That was awesome. What fishing pole and line were you using?

[@SWFL_REAPER]

That was a custom boat rod, 80-130lb class we estimate. I run as much 250lb mono as I can for protection against pilings. Now I run a 130-unlimited all roller guide rod for them. It’s a back breaker for sure

[@evoeyerex3518]

I love how all these people are coaching the guy and he’s the one fighting a 500 pound collide grouper just let them in do his thing he’s probably got 1,000,001 things going through his mind right now and they’re all around him talking lol

[@SWFL_REAPER]

I see where you’re coming from, but those guys yelling at me all know what they’re talking about. I probably wouldn’t have been able to land the fish without their help

[@tonyman2c]

@@SWFL_REAPER I agree, the fisherman didn't know fishing technique of when to collect the line.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@tonyman2c I was the fisherman… I had some issues with the line jamming on the reel, it stacked wrong and was making it extremely hard to crank. Put it in low gear and jammed through it.

[@ronniewilliz153]

It's always like that at that pier I grew up fishing there.

[@mobay7730]

ฤ

[@vigafishing3827]

That's a real big monster bro... congrats.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@gordoncushman7807]

New title " How to enjoy a quiet day on the water fishing " Free fish tacos for everyone. 🤯

[@ardi_fc]

So amazing 👍👍👍

[@ronniewilliz153]

He's been caught a few times over the years he's a big boy that's for sure an he's been living under that pier for many years. Nice job.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

For sure, there’s a couple others under there too, I appreciate it 👍🏼

[@Zameth29]

Mero 🔥🔥🔥💪💪

[@Seacoast68]

What happened next? Did it break off or did you swim it to shore? Last night my son and I were fishing at this pier when he hooked something BIG. It spooled his 4000 spinning reel with 50# braid.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Since the fight was long than it should have been, we decided the fish would be at risk if we beached it. We cut the line and the hook should have rusted out within the week.

[@WillyK51]

@@SWFL_REAPER What a strong butted Rod, most would have broken when using the guard rail for leverage. lucky the line didn't touch the pilings, and according to new rules they are off the endangered list and harvestable, that one was not humongous and eatable, Remember when about 6-8 yrs of age(1950's) Dad speared a 200 pdr, and I delivered 20 lbs chuncks to all the neighbors, Everyone on that pier would have been happy to take a chunck home

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@WillyK51 that one was way too big to eat, she was in the 300lb class. Hard to tell from the video but the pier is about 12ft above the water line. They have a slot size and there are only 500 tags annually for them, $500 for non resident and $150 for residents.

[@WillyK51]

@@SWFL_REAPER Lucky us, in my day they were game, Got my first one when 15 Yrs of age spearfishing and never saw another one, In the US from all the videos about diving they are a plage, Today wouldn't touch one, to much trouble tackling one, Yet everyone on that pier was having fun waching you, Yet by the tackle you were using, they are your target, wouldn't fish of a pier with such heavy stuff. My heaviest is 80 Lbs braid for deep sea and a 50lbs Penn Int for trolling, but 20-30 Braid is my all arround, fresh and salt water, At 70 would have to pass on the rod to you to finish the job, Keep having fun👍

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@WillyK51 that setup is strictly for Goliath grouper, 250lb mono on a custom rod, somewhere in the 80-120lb class

[@booboolips6053]

Gonna need a bigger pier😄

[@Cinglana-channel]

I'm panic to see yr video, amazing best regards 🤚

[@Seacoast68]

What happened to this fish? Did it break off or did you swim it to the beach?

[@FinancialFreebo]

Just what I was wondering. You really shouldn't fish for a monster like this without having a plan on how to land it.

[@manoeljorgepescador1157]

Parabéns pescador bela pescaria Deus abençoe forte abraço estamos juntos

[@apagla3518]

োুুু

[@donald1841]

It's fun fishing from that pier and you meet a lot of realy cool people too. The problem with fishing there though is the fact you are so far above the water. If no one is around to snag and pull a big fish up for you, more than likely you will lose it. Just a shame. That was a fish of a life time.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

This Goliath was far too big to bring onto the pier, at this size, they can be injured from being out of the water. I’ve caught quite a few of these fish, the smallest being around 150lbs

[@f2fishing628]

Cant believe they banned fishing on Sundays 🤡 Nice video!

[@mcbswfl]

New Yorkers are taking over

[@ronniewilliz153]

Really dang that sucks. I moved from Naples 5 years ago an best decision I've made so far lol

[@hariman.gepeto]

Amazing

[@user-fl6wc5gn1k]

牛逼

[@seanmitchell48]

What were you using for bait? We have tried and tried to hook these monsters at the old skyway fishing pier. Lately you dont catch anything there, not even a decent size catfish. We have tried live pinfish, whiting, sardines. You name it we have tried it. Im planning on making a few more trips to see what we can pull out. The biggest fight ive ever had is my father and I fishing off the old 10cent pier just before fort desoto years ago. It was a cold night, we were wrapped in blankets and nothing was hitting. Then the deep sea pole started singing. 2hrs later we walked down a stingray that was as big and wide as an f-350 truck bed. I was so astonished at the size of this monster once we walked him down i got the hook out and let him go. The base of his tail was almost 8" in diameter.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

That’s a hell of a stingray my friend, for this specific fish I used a live 18in ladyfish. But I’ve caught them on 5lb sail cats, whole Bonita, snapper/grouper carcasses (18+in) and stingray. Small sharks work as well.

[@seanmitchell48]

@@SWFL_REAPER He was a hell of a fight. We had a custom deep see pole off a deep sea pen reel. My dad had to hokd the front of the pole otherwise it would have snapped. It was definitely a story to tell my kids. My dad passed valentines day 2017 and its one of the greatest memories i have. As a kid we went fishing every weekend usually overnights. Seen alot of things as a young boy. 2 dead bodies fishing off of Gandy. 1 dead body off of the 1st pier entering onto the road towards fort desoto. Probably shouldnt put this here but what the hell. Me and my 2 uncles fished off of the new skyway when they were 1st building it. Wasnt much to walk on and eas in its 1st stages. My uncle god rest his soul kept getting caught on something about 3ft down. We could barely see it but we had a pair of bolt cutters and he cut it. Next thing we knew all the lights down what they had built so far went out. He cut the main powerline underwater. I dont know how he didnt get electrocuted but i almost fell in running back to the car twice. Good times. Lol

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@seanmitchell48 holy hell, he was lucky that he didn’t get zapped. Any fish come floating up after the power went out? 🤣 sounds like it could be a good fishing strategy

[@seanmitchell48]

@@SWFL_REAPER Brother we didnt stick around to find out. We took off after it happened. Its was crazy getting out of there with zero visibility. It eas in the paper the next day tho.

[@yosbelalvarez4206]

Uste es un campeon

[@kamazimargen7697]

Big fish lapu-lapu arabik is hamor. Nice big fish.

[@edgardoramos9876]

💪🏾💪🏾

[@KuswandiRia03]

Amazing....fishing

[@speedqb_miami2248]

Almost get that tarpon today 👍

[@onijatitulang1943]

Good evening wow mantap thank you

[@gummybear777]

After all that work then the pole snaps🤪

[@SWFL_REAPER]

I did break that pole on another Goliath at a later date, been replaced with one much more stout

[@lucifermorningstar8381]

I like your rod

[@elviravegascarralero9346]

Hola..desde cuba saludos.increible ese pez..Buen trabajo controlarlo..Adoro pescar ..Me muero si cojo algo asi..imposible aqui😘😘

[@davidlobaina3325]

How long was the rod

[@SWFL_REAPER]

7 foot I believe

[@sierralovat5498]

Didnt you guys save a pelican yesterday?

[@SWFL_REAPER]

We save them often, so it probably was us

[@calallen8786]

Used to mess with them at skyway. Not anymore. I'm beat from them. My biggest is around 400lb

[@SWFL_REAPER]

They take a toll on your body for sure, I want to get up to skyway to toy with them

[@authenticviking6035]

@@SWFL_REAPER theres a 600 pounder chillin under the bait shop on the north pier go for him!

[@SWFL_REAPER]

@@authenticviking6035 I’ll make a trip up there soon, I have a 500lber that’s given me some hell lately, he’s next on my list

[@syaifulhijra8010]

good... 👍👍👍

[@miguelrodriguez4686]

Es una pesca muy díficil por el lugar donde se ncuentra el pescador.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Correct, the pilings make it tough

[@travelAitravel]

Did you catch it here?

[@SWFL_REAPER]

No no, Publix 🤣

[@user-qf3ml4si8g]

а дальше что, отпустили?

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Yes, safely released

[@kamazimargen7697]

I full support is done my new friend 👍

[@davesnothereman5150]

Wonder how they got the hook off

[@SWFL_REAPER]

We cut it off on the piling as close as we could, she’s still kicking, hook has rusted out by now

[@gunawansitihaerum7589]

𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒐...

[@KangAcang]

Sampai menguras tenaga kawan ........ikan monster keren banget

[@RAPPERei_Mancing]

Waoow...like this

[@melissamontgomery6199]

It would be great if the videographer had actually pointed the thing towards the water to see more during the catch

[@SWFL_REAPER]

The person taking the video got the only times you could see the fish, I think they did great

[@winnerrponsel4469]

W

[@Hoangminhtv-ks5dp]

Bạn câu cá dính thấy ham quá chúc bạn một ngày vui vẻ hạnh phúc nhé

[@bapasimba1150]

Yes5....👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@Janggut40]

Massive fish!! Jus need to hook up the fish to the ground!!

[@nilowalterdossantoswalter8021]

Peixe Mero, no Brasil é proibida sua pesca, desaparecendo. Chega a ter 500 kg , porém é animal dócil. Meu pai e um amigo pegavam muitos na Baia de Vitória/ES, Brasil.

[@user-kg4pn6xt2r]

Вот где можно поймать 🎣Адреналин!!!

[@uburuburpanus]

That a big Fish 👍👍nice job..

[@Mainantoys29]

Wow,,, mantap mas besar ikan nya👍👍 salam

[@randomactivitieswithdouapa2687]

What a fight., look at that stance. Lol

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Lower center of gravity, fighting Goliath grouper is a full body workout

[@bagusstrike]

Mantap hook 👍👍👍 nice

[@maifishing.3367]

Your video is so Good l'll accompany you ok 👍💯👉🥂🍾

[@ignaziofilippone299]

Fate pena che bravura avete avuto?!?;; Con una corda da traino in acqua bassa! Che bordello che avete fatto!!!

[@SURANIRONI1967]

Woow sangat besar🐟👍🙏🏼

[@ahmadsarehchanel6964]

Waooooo keren banget

[@carolinejayes157]

Should have left the grouper in the depths.

[@ariwetwet9657]

Very cool boss

[@dbak322]

... drives me nuts when randos gather around me when I fish.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Happens all too often here, all the people next to me during the fight are fisherman and regulars at the pier

[@tanbarber.5485]

Chải nghiệm rất tuyệt

[@heryrelax7204]

Ok

[@arlindagrigoryan2766]

It would be good for the fish to go and live

[@SWFL_REAPER]

She’s still kicking! I’ve seen her since this video was taken

[@vadimoleinik8422]

Nice fish, but cheap (or f***d) real. For this kinda fishing must have a top tackle. I suppose...

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Shimano TLD30, had too much 250 mono on her

[@dicckasrulianto3704]

0:20

[@ironecungkring6226]

👍🏼

[@abudigs]

القصبة جامدة

[@crazyfingers19]

Why would you target a Goliath. As far as I know they are protected in all of the US. And from a pier? Seems pointless.

[@SWFL_REAPER]

To make that 13 year old kid I once was proud. They are a protected species, Florida is releasing 500 tags for slot sized examples. I got the chance to show over 100 people on the pier that day (mostly tourists) and the hundreds of thousands of people on KZbin this amazing fish.

[@user-tf4tm7jz8w]

السلام عليكم ورحمه الله وبركاته بالتوفيق دائما ان شاء الله ضيف جديد على قناتك احلي الاشتراك والايك

[@TheSagerider]

Should have just left it alone. 🙁

[@rouvounejean4550]

0

[@rajanmathew8474]

Foolish peoples are standing aside, they are not helping him

[@zaenalarifinikandanlas]

Wow Vedio Amazing I Like Waching Good Nice Sub, And Like, Succes, Aim Sory Cannot Speak English Fluanteli 🙏🏾👍🏾👍🏾🇮🇩

[@nelsoncostapescaemfamilia]

🤜🤛🤩👍👍👍🎣🎣🇧🇷❤️👏👏👏🙏

[@tonytran4857]

That is a shark not a bass I've been fishing all my life of over 40 years

[@bibiksrireni6989]

Subcsetiber. Baru srmat ya

[@mompromsen6272]

มีแต่คนไปยืนสอนไม่มีคนช่วย อธิบายกันจังแต่แทนที่จะช่วยเค้าดึงหรือช่วยเค้าเยอะขึ้นมาคนเดียวมันไม่ไหวปลาตัวโต ช่วยแป๊บเดียวมันต้องช่วยตลอดสิจ๊ะ

[@michaelgardner835]

Too much swearing around the little kids.

[@authenticviking6035]

the kids were swearing more than the adults get a grip michael!

[@michaelgardner835]

@@authenticviking6035 And where do they learn those words from? Do better!

[@apagla3518]

োুুুু

[@andremedlin8750]

It was the Kids😂

[@uggihjggui5969]

一丿6464

[@jamesscott684]

Your background ruined the whole experience

[@SWFL_REAPER]

The scenery or my background?

[@rickrry]

Dude doesn't know how to reel?

[@SWFL_REAPER]

Reel jammed up from the 250lb mono stacking up bad in it, still got her to the surface so it’s a catch

[@mannsengshoo1657]

People enjoy fishing because it free fish to eat and getting an endorphins of excitement. Little they realise the reality of a being who are in inmmense suffering when their mouth are torn by those tucking forth and back for hours and being cruelly cut alive by sharp knive slaughtering of severing the head alive and using the knife to stab it to death. I hope people would not spend their time with such cruel sports.

[@Bonniemish]

Obviously not a fisherman.

[@ericworley4361]

My God point the damn camera down!!! It's infuriating to watch the awestruck looks on these people's faces as they gaze down at the fish the cameraman apparently just doesn't have any interest in....

[@MarinGabriel1927]

What name fish?