Another good technique is to try artificial lures. Big metal jigs, large soft plastic lures and heavy spoons can be dropped to snapper depth, jerked upwards, and allowed to flutter back down. The triggers might still attack, but they can't eat metal, and their small mouth will keep them off the hook. Sometimes it is best not to hook to the rig or anchor over structure. A controlled drift begun upcurrent of triggerfish in- festations will allow baits to reach bottom unmolested.
Some anglers use downriggers to control the fishing depth, or to slow troll bait or lures.
Anchoring upcurrent and drifting a deep chum trail can bring fish to the boat - away from pesky surface feeders. Besides being tough fighters on light tackle, triggers are excellent eating. The firm, white flesh is even preferred to snapper by several experienced fishermen I know. Because the skin of these creatures is about equal to that of the average African bull elephant, and the bone structure could support highway overpasses, many anglers get discouraged by the relatively small amount of meat a trigger yields. While triggerfish are considered pests by most Gulf Coast fishermen, they are not without their advocates.