Captain Brandon Simmons is a fishing guide based at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, specializing in reef fishing techniques including mutton snapper fishing using sand ball chumming methods. In this How 2 Tuesday episode, Brandon reveals why most reef fishermen are only chumming the top three or four feet of the water column—and missing the trophy fish waiting on the bottom. He walks through his exact sandball mixing technique, explains the critical consistency that makes it work, and shares why a simple gaff is better than any fancy mixing tool. If you've been putting out a chum bag and wondering why you're only catching yellows, this conversation will change your offshore game.
How do you make sandballs for reef fishing?
To make sandballs for reef fishing, thaw a five-pound block of chum completely the night before in a bucket. Mix in play sand using a gaff to combine thoroughly, adding water as needed to reach a sticky, peanut butter-like consistency. The mix should hold together when formed into balls but slowly disintegrate as it drops through the water column to the bottom.
Who is Captain Brandon Simmons?
Captain Brandon Simmons is a fishing guide based at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. He specializes in reef fishing techniques, particularly mutton snapper fishing using sand ball chumming methods to target bottom-dwelling species.
This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Captain Brandon and Tom trust to keep their boats running strong in the harsh saltwater environment of the Florida Keys. Visit Star brite today.
Why Most Reef Fishermen Are Only Fishing the Top of the Water Column
When you drop a chum bag in the water, Brandon explains, you're creating a slick that mostly stays in the top three or four feet depending on current. That's great for bringing up yellowtail snapper, and some guides even add oats to get those fish feeding in a frenzy. But what about everything else down below? The mutton snapper, black grouper, and goliath grouper hanging on the bottom never see that chum. Brandon's sandball technique solves this by creating a vertical chum line that disintegrates from the surface all the way to the reef, triggering feeding activity at every depth. The difference in what shows up is dramatic. Brandon explains the full water column strategy starting at 2:04.
The Secret to Perfect Sandball Consistency
Brandon is specific about one thing: consistency is everything. Too watery and your sandballs fall apart before they reach the bottom. Too dry and they won't hold together at all—just wet sand crumbling in your hands. The sweet spot, he says, is like peanut butter, maybe chunky peanut butter. To get there, you need to start your prep the night before your trip. Brandon walks through his exact process: setting out a five-pound chum block to thaw completely, mixing in play sand from the store, and adding just enough water to hit that sticky texture that holds a ball but breaks down slowly on the descent. The complete mixing technique starts at 4:41.
Hear Captain Brandon explain why a gaff beats every other mixing tool
Why a Gaff Is the Best Tool for Mixing Sandballs
Tom and Brandon discuss various mixing methods during this conversation, and Brandon is clear about what works best. A paddle or any blade-type tool is too much—it can't get to the bottom of the bucket effectively. They even joke about using a drill with a drywall mixing attachment, but Brandon points out that might throw the mixture everywhere. The humble gaff, it turns out, is perfect. You can drive it straight down into the bucket, pull up from the bottom, and thoroughly combine the chum and sand without any drama. It's one of those cases where the old-school method that guides have been using for years is actually the most effective tool for the job. The tool discussion happens at 5:53.
Get the Best Fishing & Outdoor Content
Weekly insights on fishing strategy, conservation, and the disciplines that transfer across pursuits.
SubscribeHow to Fish Sandballs for Mutton Snapper
Once your sandball mix is ready, Brandon's deployment technique is straightforward but specific. He starts by throwing a few "freebies"—sandballs with no hook—to get the fish eating and establish the feeding pattern. Then comes the money ball: you form a sandball around your baited hook, whether that's a chunk of ballyhoo or another bait, and drop it over the side on free spool. Brandon says when they're biting good, it happens fast. The fish have already been feeding on the free sandballs hitting the bottom, so when they see yours coming down, they move right over and hit it. The cloud effect created by the sand disintegrating also marks up the water just enough to make the bite easier to trigger. Brandon's complete deployment strategy starts at 3:24.
This short How 2 Tuesday is packed with actionable technique
Under 8 minutes of pure fishing strategy
Key Takeaways
- Traditional chum bags only fish the top three or four feet of the water column, leaving trophy bottom fish like mutton snapper and grouper out of the feeding zone
- Sandballs create a vertical chum line that disintegrates from surface to bottom, triggering feeding at every depth and bringing in species you'd never reach with a chum bag alone
- The critical consistency is like peanut butter—sticky enough to hold together but soft enough to break down slowly during the drop
- Start prep the night before by setting out a five-pound chum block to thaw completely in a bucket, then mix with play sand and water
- A simple gaff is the best mixing tool—paddles can't reach the bottom effectively and drills might throw the mix everywhere
- Drop free sandballs first to establish the feeding pattern, then form sandballs around baited hooks and free spool them to the bottom
- When the bite is on, it happens fast—fish see your sandball coming down through the cloud and move right over to hit it
Final Thoughts from Tom
I love these short How 2 Tuesday episodes because they're pure technique—no fluff, just actionable strategy you can use on your next trip. Brandon breaks down the sandball method in a way that makes it immediately implementable, and his emphasis on consistency is the kind of detail that separates guys who catch fish from guys who don't.
What strikes me most about this technique is how much you're leaving on the table if you're not doing it. You're literally only fishing a fraction of the water column with a chum bag, and all those trophy muttons and big groupers are sitting down there wondering why dinner never arrives. The sandball method changes that completely.
If you're a reef fisherman and you're not using sand in your chum routine, this short episode will level up your game immediately. Brandon's a great guide and he knows this fishery inside and out. Listen to the whole thing and then go mix up a bucket for your next offshore trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sandball technique for reef fishing?
The sandball technique involves mixing chum with sand to create balls that sink through the entire water column rather than floating on the surface like traditional chum bags. This delivers chum from the surface to the bottom, attracting deeper-dwelling species like mutton snapper and grouper.
How do you prepare sandballs for mutton snapper fishing?
Set out a five-pound chum block in a bucket the night before to thaw completely. Mix in play sand using a gaff, adding water to reach a peanut butter-like consistency that holds together but breaks down during descent. The mix should be sticky enough to form balls but not so dry it crumbles or so wet it falls apart immediately.
Why are sandballs better than regular chum bags for reef fishing?
Regular chum bags only disperse chum in the top three or four feet of water, primarily attracting surface and mid-water species. Sandballs sink while disintegrating, creating a vertical chum line that reaches bottom-dwelling trophy fish and triggers feeding activity throughout the entire water column.
What is the best tool for mixing fishing sandballs?
A gaff is the most effective tool for mixing sandballs. It can reach the bottom of the bucket and pull up the mixture thoroughly without the issues of paddles or drill attachments, which either can't get proper depth or throw the mixture around.
How do you fish with sandballs for mutton snapper?
Start by dropping several free sandballs without hooks to establish a feeding pattern. Then form sandballs around baited hooks with chunks of ballyhoo or other bait and free spool them to the bottom. When fish are actively feeding on the freebies, they'll quickly hit the baited sandballs as they descend.
Related Episodes
More Florida Keys reef techniques from experienced guides
Deep dive into targeting trophy mutton snapper
Complete guide to chumming strategies for various offshore species
Sponsors
The marine care products Captain Brandon and Tom rely on to keep their boats running strong in harsh saltwater conditions. From boat care in a bucket to salt off spray, Star brite supports marine conservation through Project Sea Safe.
Shop Star briteTitle sponsor of How 2 Tuesday. The pliers Tom trusted in the Seychelles and uses every day on the water.
Build Your Danco KitCaptain Brandon Simmons - Fishing guide at Hawks Cay Resort, Florida Keys
Tom Rowland - Host, Tom Rowland Podcast
Download the Tom Rowland Podcast Knot Guide and master the essential knots every angler needs.
Captain Brandon Simmons
Captain Brandon Simmons is a professional fishing guide based at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. He specializes in reef fishing techniques with particular expertise in mutton snapper fishing using advanced chumming methods including the sandball technique. Brandon guides clients through the productive waters of the Middle Keys, targeting everything from mutton snapper to grouper on the offshore reefs. To book a trip with Captain Brandon, call Hawks Cay Resort at 1-800-305-7665.
Listen or watch on your favorite platform:
