Can I Fish For Grouper Right Now?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Seasons –

If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round

.

When can you fish for grouper in Florida?

This fishery is usually at its peak from

October through December

but we can catch grouper inshore year round. Typically, we use 3 different techniques for catching the gags inshore, bottom with bait, trolling shallow diving plugs, and casting plugs to the fish.

Is grouper season open in the Gulf?

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), recreational harvest of gag grouper opens

June 1 through Dec. 31

in all federal and most state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

What is the best month to catch grouper?

The best time of year to fish for gag grouper in the shallows would be from

October through the end of the season in December

, however, they can be caught all year long. Since these fish are so strong on their initial run we use extremely heavy tackle to keep them out of the structure and into your cooler.

Is grouper season open in Florida?


1–April 30

. Gulf – Open year-round.

Can you keep red grouper right now?

NOAA Fisheries is announcing the closure of the Gulf of Mexico recreational red grouper season. The closure becomes effective

September 15, 2021

. This is the first time we have closed the recreational red grouper sector in-season since 2015. The season will reopen January 1, 2022.

What fish are in season right now in Florida?

Fish Season Best Dolphin April-September May-June Tarpon Year Round June – October Grouper Jan 1 – May 31 November – March Kingfish September-April December – March

Can you catch grouper in Florida?


One of the most popular species of saltwater fish to catch in Florida is Grouper

. Florida Grouper fishing usually takes place in deeper water, over structure and reefs, but is also highly popular as an inshore species.

What is the best grouper to eat?

The smaller size impacts the taste of the red grouper as it has a milder, sweeter flavor. It is the preferred choice by chefs across the U.S. The

black grouper

has a firmer texture and yields more edible fish content than the red variety. Fresh is always best!

Can you catch grouper at night?

Most Grouper are sight predators. Without some sort of lighting, they don't hunt. You may catch grouper during a full moon or under lights, but are

typically not active at night

.

Where is the best place to catch grouper?

The best grouper fishing takes place in

120 to 180 feet of water over wrecks or hard bottom (rocks or reef)

. The Gulf of Mexico is a really large area, so what a lot of guys will do is keep their bottom machines on whenever they're running while watching for good bottom.

Can you keep a Goliath Grouper?

Since 1990, keeping goliath grouper — an aptly named fish that can grow to 800 pounds —

has been illegal in Florida

. But there has been years of debate from recreational and commercial anglers that the species has rebounded to the point where the voracious eaters are becoming a nuisance.

Is grouper season open in the Keys?

Grouper fishing in the Florida Keys and Key West is open to recreational anglers from

May 1st until December 31st

. Note that there are some species of grouper that are open year round. However, the most common grouper species that Keys anglers are targeting are the Black Grouper, the Gag Grouper, and the Red Grouper.

Can you catch grouper inshore?

Inshore grouper fishing is a lot of fun. Most fishermen think of grouper as a species that you have to go way offshore to catch.

There are a lot of big grouper inshore in some very surprising places

. You can find them under docks, around bridges, inshore rock piles, mangroves, inlets….

How do you fish for grouper?

Is grouper a healthy fish?

Grouper, like other fish,

serves as an excellent source of some vitamins and minerals and also contains low amounts of minerals such as sodium

. A serving of one fillet supplies 25 percent your vitamin D needs, 15 percent of your iron, 20 percent of your magnesium and small amounts of the B-complex vitamins.

Where can I find grouper in Florida?

Miami.

“The Magic City” Is arguably the best place to fish for Grouper in South Florida

. There are hundreds of wrecks and reefs available for Grouper fishing, especially if you're after rare ones like Snowies and Scamps. Of course, the regular Red, Black, Gag, and Goliath Grouper are also available.

What is gag grouper season in Florida?

Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state Gulf of Mexico waters and all federal Gulf waters

June 1, and will remain open through Dec. 31

. Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties opened April 1 and will remain open through June 30.

What fishing season is it in California?

Regular or In-Season: Bona fide trout fishing season is the

last Saturday in April (dubbed “Fishmas”) through November 15th

every year.

What size grouper can you keep?

The minimum size limit for gag grouper is

24 inches total length

and the daily bag limit is two fish per harvester within the four grouper aggregate bag limit. Charter captains and crew have a zero bag limit.

How many red grouper can you keep in Florida?

The following regulations apply to Red Grouper in federal waters (3-200 nautical miles) off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and East Florida. This means that an angler may harvest or possess a total of

3 grouper per person per day

, in any combination of species listed below.

What fish are in season in the Gulf right now?

Fishing Regulations

( 5 )

Commercial Seasonal Closure and Current Status
Gray Snapper None Greater Amberjack Mar 1-May 31 Goliath Grouper HARVEST PROHIBITED Gray Triggerfish June 1 – July 31

What is the best time to fish today?

  • Early Morning. 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
  • Late Morning to Afternoon. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Afternoon to Dusk. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What fish is running in Florida?


Yellowtail, mutton, grouper, kingfish, sailfish, tuna, and even red snapper

are all active and ready to catch. Making June a great month if you are looking for unique varieties and not really into typical fish.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.