Can you keep grouper in Florida?

Gulf Grouper Aggregate Bag Limit - all species of grouper in the Gulf are included in a 4 fish per har- vester per day aggregate bag limit in any combina- tion of grouper species. Seasons – If no seasonal information is provided, the species is open year-round.

When can you keep grouper in Florida?

Gag grouper season opens June 1 and ends Dec. 31. Angling seasons for a handful of fish species will be starting and ending soon. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), recreational harvest of gag grouper opens June 1 through Dec.

Is grouper illegal to own in Florida?

What to do when you've caught a goliath grouper? Harvest and possession has been prohibited in both state and federal waters off Florida since 1990. Must be immediately returned to the water free, alive and unharmed.

Can I fish for 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.

Is grouper season open in Florida?

Monroe County: Several species of Atlantic grouper (red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby) are closed Jan. 1 - April 30 in all state and federal waters of the Atlantic including all state waters off Monroe County (Atlantic and Gulf sides).

You could soon hunt goliath groupers in Florida

What size grouper is legal in Florida?

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.

What is the best month to catch grouper?

Grouper are one of the most popular gamefish in Florida coastal waters. Knowing the best time to come visit Florida and chase these moster brawlers can make all the difference in the world. Generally speaking, the best time to catch grouper is from May to October.

Can you catch grouper from the shore in Florida?

Bottom fishing for Florida Grouper works great in both nearshore and offshore waters around wrecks and reefs. You'll normally either anchor the boat to take advantage of a productive spot or drift to cover larger areas of the structure.

How far offshore can you get grouper?

A good rule of thumb is that the deeper the water the bigger the grouper. This will keep a lot of boats fishing between 25 and 50 miles offshore but it is a long run for most people. The most fished and prolific area is from 12 to 20 miles offshore in about 60 to 80 feet of water.

Is grouper a protected fish?

The large size, slow growth, low reproductive rate, and spawning behavior have made the goliath grouper especially susceptible to overfishing. The goliath grouper is totally protected from harvest and is recognized as a “Critically Endangered” species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Are grouper endangered in Florida?

Until 2018, goliath groupers were classified as critically endangered throughout their range, in tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters, in large part because of overfishing. In Florida, where they're mainly concentrated on reefs around the southern coast, fishing for the species hasn't been allowed since 1990.

Are Goliath groupers legal in Florida?

Since 1990, keeping goliath grouper — an aptly named fish that can grow to 800 pounds — has been illegal in Florida.

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.

Is red grouper season closed in Florida?

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.

Where is the best place to catch grouper Florida?

Pensacola has one of the largest man-made reefs in the world just offshore, so it's the perfect place to find and catch grouper. The Oriskany Memorial Reef is also called “the Great Carrier Reef”, and it provides groupers with tons of cover to hide from their prey – this attracts plenty of groupers for you to catch.

How deep do you fish for grouper?

When you're grouper trolling, you should do it in water that is 30 to 60 feet deep. You'll have no trouble setting the hook even though it's that deep. The stretch is going to give your fish some leeway anytime it strikes your moving lure, so it's not cutting the mouth of the fish.

How long does it take to reel in a grouper?

James said it took 120-minutes to reel in the giant fish. It was estimated to be around 300 pounds. They say they caught the goliath about 40-miles off the coast of Fort Myers Beach just after dusk on Monday.

What kind of grouper is in Florida?

Black Grouper

The average catch in Florida is around half that length, weighing between 5 and 20 pounds. A 40 lb fish is considered a real trophy. Black Grouper live around rocky bottoms and reefs on both sides of the Sunshine State.

What do grouper eat in Florida?

Goliath groupers are opportunistic predators and feed mostly on slow-moving, bottom-associated species. Calico crabs make up the majority of their diet, with other invertebrate species and fish filling in the rest, according to FWC.

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.

How much is a goliath grouper permit?

A required recreational goliath harvest permit and tag, issued via a random-draw lottery, to legally harvest a goliath ($150 for residents, $500 for non-residents). Limiting harvest to one fish per person per open season with permit and tag, non-transferable. A March 1 through May 31 season.

Can u eat gag grouper?

Grouper. There are more than 400 different species of grouper in the sea, but the most popular Florida favorites are Black Grouper, Red Grouper and Gag. This type of fish has a very mild flavor (somewhere in between seabass and halibut) with a light, sweet taste and large, chunky flakes, almost like lobster or crab.

Is grouper fish healthy for you?

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.