Black grouper are significantly larger than reds, capable of surpassing 70lbs. Flounder, black drum, pompano and bluefish are being caught. Grouper fishing in miami, florida how to catch grouper. Included in the 3 grouper aggregate daily bag limit. We have two basic kinds of grouper here in the gulf of mexico waters. In atlantic state waters, it also includes tiger grouper, coney and graysby. The black grouper can occasionally be found in the north atlantic, theyre much more common further south in the florida keys, the bahamas, and the caribbean. So the mexican government decided to have a fixed annual closed grouper season veda. The commercial harvest season for gag, red and black grouper in all gulf waters off florida, except monroe county waters, closes on feb. By lynn waddell get a taste of old dixie at cypress restaurant in tallahassee. Most grouper spawn between january and may, some yearround, so the closure corresponds with the groupers life cycle. Fwc approves gag, black grouper size limit florida. Gulf grouper aggregate bag limit all species of grouper in the gulf are included in a 4 fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of grouper species.
Florida black grouper all acqua pazza recipe food network. George goes fishing for black grouper in islamorada. Recreational harvest of shallowwater grouper red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, and yellowmouth grouper will be permitted all year unless you are fishing beyond 20 fathoms. An increase in the black grouper recreational minimum size limit from 22 inches total length to 24 inches total length. Florida grouper season varies with multiple grouper species found in shallow water during the cooler months and deeper water during the warmer months. Grouper fishing reopens may 1 in the florida keys anglers grouper fishing in florida state and federal waters of the atlantic, including state waters off monroe county florida keys, will be able to take home some of their catch starting may 1, when the season for several species reopens to recreational and commercial harvest. Once the season opens, most grouper species can be speared or caught on hook and line, as long as they are the allowable species and the correct length. Gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, snowy grouper and more, plus hogfish are now back on the keeper list for south atlantic anglers until jan.
The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc recently announced that it is going to change how gag and red grouper are managed in gulf of mexico state waters the changes include additional protections for gag grouper while increasing the bag limit for red grouper. They can grow to well over 4 feet and easily top 100 pounds. There is an annual shallowwater grouper spawning season closure january 1 through april 30. Black grouper in our area spawns each year around march at predictable times and in predictable places. Zero bag limit for captain and crew of forhire vessels applies to gag, black, and. Annual shallowwater grouper spawning season closure january 1 through april 30. New grouper size limit approved for 2016 pensacola. The average catch in florida is around half that length, weighing between 5 and 20 pounds. Howto catch articles and videos, wheres the bite, regulations, and more. Black, gag and red grouper are the most popularly and readily available grouper species in the keys.
More videos will be coming out soon, so stay posted. Black grouper season and closure spearfishing mexico. Groupers fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Grouper season opens wednesday after fourmonth closure. Atlantic grouper aggregate bag limit all species of grouper plus golden tilefish in the atlantic are included in a 3 fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of groupergolden tilefish species. Black grouper are solitary fish until spawning season, may through august, where they aggregate and spawn in huge numbers. It has an olive or gray body, with black blotches and brassy spots. Prohibition on recreational and commercial harvest or possession of. Grouper fishing clearwater beach i the best clearwater. Jun 15, 2017 the black grouper must measure 24 inches or larger to be a fish that can be kept during the florida keys and key west fishing season. Florida keys angler lands large black grouper as season opens.
Maximum of 1 gag or black grouper but not both per personday. Seasons if no seasonal information is provided, the species is open yearround. Reef fish florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020. Grouper are thickbodied bottom dwellers that make for some of the best florida keys fishing. Grouper fishing in florida involves a variety of species. Red grouper are our most common and the season for catching them is the longest, lasting from january to october with talk of keeping them open year round a possibility. Black grouper are excellent tablefare and may be prepared many different ways. There are many ways to cook black grouper and all of them are fantastic.
The excharter boat captain was fishing off islamorada when he. Jul 11, 2016 george goes fishing for black grouper in islamorada. A lengthening of the gag recreational fishing season from july 1 december 2, to june 1 december 31. Blacks are not dumb, and require more time and effort to hook and land. Black grouper order fresh fish online eaton street seafood.
East coast anglers should mark your calendars for may 1, this is when gag grouper and black grouper season opens from the keys to duval county jacksonville area. Eggs are fertilized externally, and float with the currents. Gulfside, black grouper is open yearround, but the related species, gag, closes january 1. Grouper season opens wednesday after a fourmonth closure, and many south florida anglers and divers will head offshore to try to catch or spear what is considered to be one of the regions best. How to catch big black grouper as you can see by the title of the youtube video above the black grouper truly is the king of the reef. Florida saltwater fishing regulations reef fish eregulations. When gag and black grouper season opens later this year they will have a minimum size limit of 24 inches in both federal and florida state. The charter captain and crew are not allowed to bring home gag, black, or red grouper. Red and black grouper season closes in gulf of mexico. Young black grouper feed on crustaceans, mostly shrimp. Mar 17, 2020 east coast anglers should mark your calendars for may 1, this is when gag grouper and black grouper season opens from the keys to duval county jacksonville area. The state of florida has an aggregate daily bag limit of four grouper per person.
Gag grouper season will open june 1 for recreational fishing across most state waters of the gulf of mexico, and across all federal waters in the gulf. Jan 26, 2016 black grouper in our area spawns each year around march at predictable times and in predictable places. When gag and black grouper season opens later this year they will have a minimum size limit of 24 inches in both federal and florida state waters. Jan 02, 2020 grouper season is closed until may 1, so no gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, snowy grouper or hogfish, among others, may be harvested. This was from our first day, where we caught a handful of yellowtail snapper, red. The black grouper is a large marine fish, growing up to 150 cm 5 ft in length and 100 kg 220 lbs in weight. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on the map below into a route. The black grouper must measure 24 inches or larger to be a fish that can be kept during the florida keys and key west fishing season. As a diver and fishermen i have seen these fish in an out of the water and can tel you there is nothing smarter and more powerful on florida s reefs tha. Grouper fishing charters in the florida keys hawks cay.
Florida keys angler lands large black grouper as season. One of the most popular ways to cook this fish is to cut it into fingers and fry it. The season runs until december 31, and each angler can collect one or the other each trip within the 3 grouper aggregate. It is also often broiled with butter and topped with parmesan or garlic. Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key. Shallowwater grouper season closes february 1 in gulf state waters and reopens april 1. Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 nautical miles. Key colony is very close to marathon florida and has some amazing reef and bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. Florida keys grouper season 2019 for many, may 1st is just the start of spring, but for avid fishermen in the keys, may 1st means grouper season is open. This phenomenon is known by local fishermen as the correcao. The king of the reef catch clean cook black grouper. In a large ovenproof saute pan, heat the grapeseed oil over mediumhigh heat to nearly smoking. Black grouper are solitary fish until spawning season, which is usually from may through august, where they aggregate and spawn in huge numbers. Grouper season closes in february and march, but opens back up in april and remains open for the rest of the year.
East coast anglers should mark your calendars for may 1, this is when gag grouper and black grouper season opens from the keys to duval. Black grouper fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. The dixie flair comes naturally to chef david gwynn, a tallahassee native, and the chic assembly comes from his studies at top culinary schools and experience in highend kitchens. Black grouper fishing islamorada quality black grouper. At cypress restaurant up in tallahassee, the southern cooking is authentic yet sophisticated. Apr 24, 2015 most grouper spawn between january and may, some yearround, so the closure corresponds with the groupers life cycle. Scroll down for regulations by coast and by species. Check out myfwc for the complete list of regulations. The new rules apply to black and gag grouper in the gulf waters of florida. And, on january 1 the season for shallowwater grouper in atlantic state waters will close.
Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key west. Fish key west florida as seen on espn key west grouper. Some consider the black grouper as the best eating species out of the entire grouper family. Recipes for cooking black grouper as well as other types of fish can be found on our weekly recipes page. In the florida keys, good grouper spots can be found just a few miles from. Craig takes guests far offshore into federal waters, which follows florida regulations on bag limits, but federal regulations on harvest seasons. A well lit up black grouper is a great photo opportunity.
State waters in the gulf start from shore and extend out 9 nautical miles. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on. Grouper season is closed until may 1, so no gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, snowy grouper or hogfish, among others, may be. Fwc approves gag, black grouper size limit florida fishing. Fishing for black grouper in key west because of its size and its tendency to dart back into the rocks once hooked, the black grouper can be a bit of a challenge to land. Dec 22, 2011 florida recently announced that it will increase the recreational red grouper bag limit in gulf of mexico state waters excluding monroe county on december 30 from two fish to four. Most grouper species are protogynous hermaphrodites born as females but can later become male. Black grouper have large, powerful jaws that they use to ambush their. The red grouper must measure 20 inches or larger to be a fish that can be kept. Thanks for watching dont forget to subscribe, like, comment, and share this video. Fishing species common to southwest florida backwater. Shark are also in the florida waters all year long, including in the spring.
The recreational harvest season for gag grouper from all gulf waters off the coast of florida closed on feb. Grouper season opens may 1 florida keys weekly newspapers. That is only about one month a year and in 2016 it lasts from february 15th until march 31st. Flounder, black drum, pompano and bluefish are being.
Second dorsal, anal and caudal fins black on outer third part of fin. Florida keys grouper season 2019 marathon islamorada key. Grouper fishing from a boat typically involves baits fished near the bottom, with heavy tackle and heavier to bring grouper to the surface. Florida gulf gag grouper closures continue bdoutdoors. Black grouper are solitary fish until spawning season, may through august, where. The best black grouper recipes on yummly blackened grouper, caribbean curry grouper with okra, grouper in crab sauce with black quinoa and pickled fennel.
Excellent, but large individuals may contain ciguatera toxin and elevated mercury levels. Shallowwater groupers in gulf state waters include gag, red, black, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers, scamp and rock and red hind. Black grouper considered one of the besteating fish in the ocean. Several species of gulf grouper red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth are closed feb. One of the largest species of grouper in the atlantic, black grouper are loved by commercial crews and recreational anglers alike. Apr 27, 2016 an increase in the black grouper recreational minimum size limit from 22 inches total length to 24 inches total length. Florida sportsmans 50 favorite sportfish of florida. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in gulf. Fwc says these further changes will make state protections consistent with gag and red grouper federal rules in. May 29, 2018 key colony is very close to marathon florida and has some amazing reef and bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. The fwc approved new florida grouper regulations on february 10, 2016. As a diver and fishermen i have seen these fish in an out of the water and can tel you there is nothing smarter and more powerful on floridas reefs tha. The minimum size limit for recreational harvest has been set at 24 inches. All species must be landed with head and fins intact.
Beyond 20 fathoms, the february 1 through march 31 recreational closed season remains in effect. There are several different species that youll find both close to and away from the shores, including hammerhead, mako and blacktip. Increases in florida grouper gulf limits bdoutdoors. The gag grouper must measure 24 inches or larger to be a fish that can be kept during the florida keys and key west fishing season.