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. We tapped floridas official chef justin timineri for a handful of recipes, each using fresh florida ingredients, for the perfect summertime seafood dish. The species is most abundant along floridas east and west coasts, and. Every friday morning, captain dylan hubbard of hubbards marina joins good day to fill viewers in on his fishing forecast as we head into the weekend. Annual shallowwater grouper spawning season closure january 1 through april 30, except for red grouper in federal waters off the coasts of north carolina and south carolina, which remains closed until june 1. Crystal river big gag grouper and red snapper fishing on. Fishing regulations and seasonal closures gulf of mexico. Fwc says these further changes will make state protections consistent with gag and red grouper federal rules in.
The fwc approved new florida grouper regulations on february 10, 2016. Grouper season is open may 1 while tuna fishing stays strong its time to break out the bottom fishing gear and try to tag a gag grouper. 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. Stay up to date on fishery announcements and closures. Mar 17, 2020 for gag grouper fishing in the gulf, its important to note what county youre embarking from. We made a 2 hour run offshore into the gulf of mexico and fished in 150 feet of water. May 24, 2018 the recreational gag grouper season for both state and federal waters will open on june 1 and hopefully remain open until the end of the year. Federal fishing regulations gulf of mexico fishery. Several species of atlantic grouper red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby are closed jan.
June 1, 2019, for federally permitted headcharter boats american red snapper and gag grouper season opens. One of the fish we target in this area of florida most often is the grouper. Gag grouper season open in certain florida counties grand. Florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020 eregulations. Gag grouper opening day offshore fishing in florida mahimahi. It was opening day of the gag grouper season and we were ready to go after some big rusty bellies. Please cheeck for more dates of 2014 gulf open season. 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 december 31. Prohibition on recreational and commercial harvest or possession of. Gag grouper season open in certain florida grand view. The state of florida has an aggregate daily bag limit of four grouper per person. We have a very unique fishery that allows us to catch quality gag grouper in less than 20 ft of water.
Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key west. Reef fish florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020. Mar 22, 2019 gag grouper season open in certain florida counties gag grouper is one of the most popular saltwater fishing species anglers enjoy catching each year in the gulf of mexico. The gag and red groupers and the jewfish a species permanently closed to all harvest are the most widely distributed species. 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. The gag grouper season in the remainder of gulf of mexico state waters and federal waters is open june 1 through dec. Tampa bay and the west coast of florida is home to some of tbe best gag grouper fishing available. The same day, several species of grouper will also close to recreational and commercial harvest in. Gag grouper mycteroperca microlepis is a highly prized catch in the florida keys. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend 200 miles into the gulf of mexico. Monroe county state waters follow atlantic grouper rules. 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. Gag grouper is managed under an individual fishing quota ifq program. Grouper season opens wednesday after fourmonth closure.
Included with 4 per harvester per day grouper aggregate. Howto catch articles and videos, wheres the bite, regulations, and more. Note that gag grouper season is different in taylor, jefferson, wakulla and franklin counties than the rest of florida gulf state waters. Special seasons and limits help keep populations in check. Gag grouper will remain open in most gulf waters except state waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties through dec. Amberjack, greater early season closure bay scallops crab, stone closes may 16 opens oct. Reel time florida sportsman crystal river gag grouper on topwater season 4, episode 8 rtfs. When thats not working ill go to bait, he explained. Groupers fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Grouper fishing charters clearwater fl fisheye sportfishing. In atlantic state waters, including monroe county, the season closes january 1 and reopens may 1.
Both the commercial and recreational fishing seasons are closed from january through april to protect all shallowwater grouper during their spawning season. Gag spawn in large groups along the continental shelf. For more information about grouper regulations, visit fwc grouper fishery information. The season in that fourcounty region opened april 1 and.
Gag grouper gulf of mexico fishery management council. Gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, snowy grouper and more, plus hogfish are now back on the keeper list for south atlantic anglers. There are a number of grouper species found in the waters of clearwater florida, gag, red, scamp and goliath grouper are the most common species that we fish for. For gag grouper fishing in the gulf, its important to note what county youre embarking from. Jul 18, 2018 a group of fishermen were able to witness a 500pound grouper s rare meal during a fishing trip off the coast of everglades city, fla. Note that there are some species of grouper that are open year round. Florida fish and wildlife announced that open season will start april 1 this year and remaining. Gag grouper possession in closed federal season florida. Mangrove snapper, available yearround as shallow as 10 or 15 feet, spawn in late summer in 50 to 70 feet. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in gulf.
Florida keys grouper season 2019 marathon islamorada key. The gulf of mexico fishery management council manages fisheries in the federal waters of the gulf of mexico exclusive economic. Gag grouper season will remain open for all state and federal waters of the gulf through dec. Open off florida for 2 day mini season the last consecutive wednesday and thursday in july. John martin and i, bob harbison, are both florida natives who have been fishing the waters of the sunshine state our entire lives.
To learn more about gag grouper season regulations, visit the grouper page on the florida wildlife and conservation commission website. Reel time florida sportsman yankeetown grouper on the. Goliath and nassau grouper are protected from harvest in florida waters. 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. For many people the idea of gag grouper and shallow water do not go hand in hand. In this 16 plus minute discussion i will cover some crucial intel on. Even so, the average catch is in the same 520 lb bracket as black grouper. There are a number of grouper species caught in florida. May 02, 2018 luiza catches gag grouper while jigging with a reeldiculous jig offshore fishing in florida. Gag grouper go shallow in winter and spring when fish you usually catch in 50 to 100 feet of water move to 20 to 30foot depths, where they are susceptible to trolled deepdiving plugs. Spawn between january and may with some of the more tropical species spawning yearround. The same day, several species of grouper will also.
Grouper closures start january 1 florida sportsman. A fishery may close when the quota or annual catch limit is projected to. Gag grouper opening day offshore fishing in florida mahi. Jul 10, 2015 it was opening day of the gag grouper season and we were ready to go after some big rusty bellies. 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. Thunder coast custom spearguns is a custom speargun and diving accessories manufacturer and distributor. Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key. 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 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. Check out myfwc for the complete list of regulations. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in.
For counties of franklin, wakulla, taylor and jefferson in the panhandle area from apalachicola to steinhatchee there is open season in state waters from april 1 to june 30, and again from september 1 to december 31. The new rules apply to black and gag grouper in the gulf waters of florida. Residents of the westcentral florida coast in franklin, wakulla, jefferson or taylor county can start fishing for gag grouper on wednesday. Gag grouper hold close to some bridges in the area. Annual shallowwater grouper spawning season closure january 1 through april 30. Gag grouper will close to recreational harvest in gulf state and federal waters jan. For counties of franklin, wakulla, taylor and jefferson in the panhandle area from apalachicola to steinhatchee there is open season in state waters from april 1 to june 30. American red snapper and gag grouper season opens florida. Tampa bay grouper spots and tips how to find and catch. The minimum size limit for recreational harvest has been set at 24 inches. Fishing for gag grouper in the gulf of mexico bradenton herald.
Western boundary of the 4county gag grouper recreational harvest region. If you are in possession of gag grouper in federal waters while federal season is close but while state season is open and you get pulled over by fwc in federal water can they write you a state violation when in fact the season is open in state waters and you are currently in federal waters. Reel time florida sportsman crystal river gag grouper on. The caudal tail and anal fins of the gag have white margins, while the black grouper does not. Florida sportsmans 50 favorite sportfish of florida. Gag grouper florida fish and wildlife conservation. Red grouper regulations south atlantic fish management council.
Increases in florida grouper gulf limits bdoutdoors. Grouper fishing charters, clearwater fl grouper fishing charters in the gulf of mexico. There are a number of grouper species found in the waters of clearwater florida, gag, red, scamp and goliath grouper. Florida gulf of mexico snapper and grouper bottomfishing. The minimum size limit for gag grouper is 24 inches total length, and the daily bag limit is two fish per harvester within the fourfish grouper aggregate bag limit. Adult gag grouper live in similar places to most grouper species. Monroe county follows the atlantic season for gag grouper and is currently open. However, the most common grouper species that keys anglers are targeting are the black grouper, the gag grouper, and the red grouper. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state. The changes include additional protections for gag grouper while increasing the bag limit for red grouper. This fishery is usually at its peak from october through december but we can catch grouper inshore year round. Fwc approves gag, black grouper size limit florida fishing. Grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is open to recreational anglers from may 1st until december 31 st.
Jul 28, 2014 with gag grouper season in full swing, we wanted to serve up some options for the plate. Dec 22, 2011 season closures for red and gag grouper, as well as other shallowwater groupers, are also nearing. Franklin, wakulla, taylor, and jefferson counties are excluded from this opening because they have their own season from april 1june 30 and september 1december 31. Anyone commercially fishing for gag grouper must possess allocation and follow established protocols. The species is found in the gulf of mexico but not in the west indies. A number of gear requirements and restrictions help reduce bycatch and protect habitat. The season is subject to close if the catch limit is. 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. For more information about thunder coast custom spearguns, getting your own custom gun or about any. However, they are not uncommon in shallow water grass bottom right out to 200 plus feet of water where they may be found frequenting ledges, reefs, and wrecks.
Grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is open to recreational anglers from may 1st until december 31st. Florida saltwater fishing regulations reef fish eregulations. A minimum size limit to prevent harvest of immature gag. Noaa sustainable fisheries division gulf of mexico branch, together with the gulf of mexico fishery management council, manages fisheries in federal waters of the gulf of mexico. Gag grouper regional season about to open tampa bay times. Reel time florida sportsman crystal river gag grouper on topwater season 4, episode 8 rtfs duration. Most of the other species nassau, red hind, rock hind, black, yellowfin and scamp live in and around the coral reefs of extreme south florida. The gag grouper is the most widely distributed grouper in the region, with adults present from north carolina to brazil over low and highprofile hard bottom in waters 60500 feet deep. Gulf state waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties. Dry tortugas snapper and grouper season 5, episode 10 rtfs duration. Dec 26, 2018 gag grouper will close to recreational harvest in gulf state and federal waters jan. Gag grouper season open in gulf 4county region coastal.
Never engage in any recreational fishingwhether from a boat or the shoreunless you have a valid florida fishing license on your person. The charter captain and crew are not allowed to bring home gag, black, or red grouper. Hogfish fishing offshore tampa bay florida and gag grouper. Gag and red grouper are the most widely distributed of the florida groupers. State waters in the gulf start from shore and extend out 9 nautical miles.
Jul 03, 2014 to learn more about gag grouper season regulations, visit the grouper page on the florida wildlife and conservation commission website. Participation mandatory to fish for grouper in gulf waters. Females spawn multiple times per season, releasing between 60,000 and 1. 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. Apr 30, 2020 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 gag grouper recreational harvest season in gulf of mexico state waters, not including franklin, jefferson, wakulla and taylor counties, opened june 1 and will remain open through dec. Gag grouper fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Franklin, wakulla, taylor and jefferson counties are excluded from this opening because they have their own season from april 1. Recreational regulations florida fish and wildlife. Reel time florida sportsman yankeetown grouper on the troll season 3 ep. They eat a variety of fish, crabs, shrimp, and squid.
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