

Proper tackle is required when grouper fishing Many anglers consider them to be the best eating of all the grouper species. Most scamp grouper are caught in 100 feet of water or deeper. They are usually found a fair distance offshore and usually do not migrate in close. Scamp grouper are the smallest of the four major grouper species. They are similar in markings to gag grouper, but are actually fairly easily identified. Black grouper have the reputation of being the hardest fighting of the grouper species. They can be located quite shallow around the coral reefs in the Bahamas. There preferred depth range is 60 feet to 150 feet.īlack grouper, also known as true Blacks, are found more in the southern parts of Florida and the Caribbean. Red grouper are often found in large schools in the spots. This bottom, often called Swiss cheese bottom, can be difficult to locate on a sonar as there is no relief above the bottom. Red grouper are known to prefer hard bottom areas, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico. While found inshore occasionally, especially juveniles, most red grouper are encountered by anglers fishing offshore. Red grouper are another prolific and widely distributed grouper species. Gag grouper generally prefer natural ledges and wrecks. Mature gag grouper will also move close to shore in the fall, and will even move into larger bays such as Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor. As a mature, gag grouper move from the backwater areas to the offshore structure. They are also the species that will most often be encountered by anglers fishing inshore waters. Gag grouper are the most widely distributed of the four main grouper species. Goliath grouper are a fish deserving of its own article, so those will be discussed at a later date. These include gag grouper, red grouper, scamp grouper, and black grouper. In this article, the four primary grouper species that anglers will have the most access to will be covered. There are many different grouper species that are found throughout North America. Offshore anglers will find grouper on a hard bottom areas, natural ledges, wrecks, and artificial reefs.ĭifferent grouper species behave differently This includes docks, bridges, and jetties inshore. The vast majority of grouper will be caught close to some type of hard structure. However, grouper can be caught on submerged grass flats, especially juveniles that are moving out towards open water. It is rare for anglers to encounter them over open sandy bottoms. Grouper are one of the most structure oriented game fish found anywhere. Grouper will always be found close to structure Jim is sharing these tips which he has learned out on the water with anglers in the hopes that they will become more successful. Grouper are without a doubt the most highly coveted species on the West Coast of Florida.

He mostly fishes inshore these days, however spent years as a mate and Capt. Jim Klopfer is a fishing guide in Sarasota, Florida. It is 23,000 words long and covers tackle, tactics, and species.Ĭapt. Each tip will be covered in detail in the sections below.Īnglers can purchase Capt Jim’s E-book, “ Inshore Saltwater Fishing” for $5 by clicking on the title link. These 13 grouper fishing tips will help anglers catch more of these highly desirable bottom fish throughout their range, no matter what body of water or depth is being fished.

Live bait fish will produce for grouper fishing.Frozen bait can be the best choice for grouper.Boat positioning is crucial to grouper fishing success.Proper tackle is required when grouper fishing.Different grouper species behave differently.The 13 productive grouper fishing tips are Grouper are a hard fighting species that many anglers consider to be the finest eating fish that swims! They are found throughout the Caribbean and along the United States coastline from Texas to the mid Atlantic. Grouper are an extremely popular bottom fish. This post will highlight 13 productive grouper fishing tips.
