Disclosure: We may earn commissions if you purchase products after clicking on a link from our site.
Are you interested in learning how to catch rock hind? Do you want to challenge yourself with fishing for rock hind? Rock hind is an elusive and reclusive fish. It shies away from human interaction. It is a solitary fish often found near ports, jetties, shipwrecks, rocks, snapper banks, roman-made reefs, and other structures.
In this article, we discuss how to catch rock hind as well as the fishing methods used, and fishing tackle, and share other information to improve your chances of catching rock hinds.
Table of Contents
How To Catch Rock Hind
Rock Hind is often found at the bottom where they prey on crabs, squid, mackerel, sardines, and other baitfish. They can be found around structures at the bottom and in breakwaters near ports. Trolling, drift fishing, and bottom bouncing are some of the methods used by anglers to catch Rock Hind.
1. Trolling
Trolling is one of the fishing methods used by anglers when fishing for Rock Hind. Trolling is done by moving the boat slowly over the water with your bait drifting at the back attached to the line. This will get the attention of fish and when they bite, anglers will take control of the line and reel them in.
Trolling allows you to cover a lot of water in a reasonable period of time. Moreover, trolling allows you to catch a variety of fish as you cover a lot of water.
2. Drift Fishing
Drift fishing is another fishing method that is used when Rock Hind fishing. When drift fishing, the boat will move with the water currents, and the bait, attached to the line, drifts in the water. it gets the attention of fish as it slowly moves over the water. When they bite, anglers will reel the catch in.
3. Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing allows you to drop your bait to the bottom where rock hind is usually found. When they are enticed by the bait and bite, you set in the hook and reel them in.
When you are learning how to catch Rock Hind, bottom fishing is a good fishing method to use when fishing from piers, docks, shorelines, and boats. When bottom fishing, anglers usually use bait such as pieces of squid, and mackerel.
4. Bottom Bouncing
Bottom bouncing is another fishing technique used by anglers to fish for rock hinds and other fish that are found at the bottom. When bottom bouncing, you bounce and drag the lure, usually jigs, along the bottom as the boat moves over the water. Bottom bouncing allows you to cover a lot of water like trolling and drift fishing.
Best Bait and Lures For Rock Hind
- Squid
Squid is one of the popular baits used by anglers when fishing for rock hinds.
2. Mackerel
Mackerel is a good bait for rock hind fishing.
3. Sardines
Sardines work well as bait when fishing for rock hinds.
4. White Crabs
Rock hinds like crabs and usually find them at the bottom. That is one of the reasons they are always at the bottom looking for prey. White crabs are one of the best baits to use when learning how to catch rock hind.
5. Jigs
Jigs work well when fishing for rock hind. Jigs are used when bottom fishing and bottom bouncing.
Rock Hind vs Red Hind
| Characteristic | Rock Hind | Red Hind |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior | More reclusive | Less reclusive |
| Tail | Spotted with no black margin | Not spotted and has a black margin |
| Tail & Anal Fins | Have broad white outlines | Don’t have broad white outlines |
| Can change? | Yes; turns pale or darkens | No |
| Dark Splotches | Has 1 to 4 pale or dark splotches on its back | Don’t have dark splotches on its back |
| Found In Shallow Water? | No | Yes |
Rock Hind Fishing Tips
- Rock Hind is a solitary fish that can be found around wrecks, artificial reefs, rocks, ports, jetties, snapper banks, roman-made reefs, and other structures.
2. Rock Hinds are bottom feeders and feed usually at dusk.
3. The best time to go fishing for Rock Hind is from March to September during the coldest time of the year.
4. Rock Hinds fight ferociously when hooked.
5. Trolling, drift fishing, bottom fishing, and bottom bouncing are some of the fishing methods used by anglers to catch rock hind.
6. Crabs, squid, mackerel, and sardines are some of the baits to use when learning how to catch rock hind.
7. Jigs work well when fishing for rock hind and implementing bottom bouncing.
8. Rock Hinds usually hunt for prey at the bottom at dusk.
9. Rock Hinds are known for going to their hideouts around structures when hooked. This can easily break the line. Therefore, when you feel the bite and noticed that the line is caught by some object, stop pulling. Your best strategy is to let the rock hind try to free itself until it gets tired.
10. Don’t grab rock hinds by their gill covers, especially if it is a large one as the gill covers are jagged sharp and the rock hind has a lot of strength.
The Bottom Line
Rock Hind is a fish in the grouper family that is often found at the bottom preying on crabs, small fish, and squid. It is elusive and fights hard when caught. Trolling, drift fishing, bottom fishing, and bottom bouncing are some of the fishing methods used when learning how to catch rock hind. If you fish for grouper, you can read how to catch grouper, how to catch black grouper, and how to catch gag grouper to learn more tips to catch more grouper.
