The month of January is a great time for grouper but do not forget about the snapper.Mangroves,lanes and tasty yellowtails are schooling up on the wrecks,reefs and natural hard bottom areas off the coast.The first key to catching these smart and wary fish is to down size your tackle.Look at the water if it looks clear you may go down to 14lb leader.I like light braid as a main line on a spinning reel,but you must top shoot this with at least 12ft.of 14-20lb flouro.Try fishing without a chum bag first, maybe dice up some sardines and disperse lightly.This will help to not over feed the fish.Another key is never stop your bait from sinking to the bottom.They will see that and refuse the bait.Like I said they are very smart fish.As far as bait is concerned a small jig head,size depends on the current.Typically 1/8 to a 1/2 will work fine.Bring plenty snapper are like grouper they like to cut you off in their homes.Just tip that jig with a live shrimp or a chunk of sardine and if the bite is hot you should fill your coolers.