These coordinates approximate the 20fathom depth contour. June 1 marked the opening of gag grouper season for gulf. There are a number of grouper species found in the waters of clearwater florida, gag, red, scamp and. Tampa fishing report, wednesday, april 5, 2017, florida fishing report tampa fishing. Federal fishing regulations gulf of mexico fishery. As the coastal water temperature drops through the fall and winter, the florida fishing scene starts to wane a bit, but theres still plenty of fish to be caught. The gag grouper recreational harvest will close in gulf state and federal waters jan.
Florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020 eregulations. Several species of gulf grouper red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth are closed feb. Grouper fishing charters, clearwater fl grouper fishing charters in the gulf of mexico. And, on january 1 the season for shallowwater grouper in atlantic state waters will close. Note that gag grouper season is different in taylor, jefferson, wakulla and franklin counties than the rest of florida gulf state waters. Gag grouper season open in certain florida counties. Even though some of these species are seasonal in their presence, there are always many that are available and feeding. 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. These eight hour trips are available only on the 35 foot contender as to cut down travel time and maximize the day for fishing. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend to the 200 mile limit of the gulf of mexico. Gag grouper opened for recreational harvest in most gulf of mexico state waters and all gulf federal waters on july 1. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in gulf local. A proposed 20 gag grouper season in state waters will be discussed at the february florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc meeting in orlando. Scroll down for regulations by coast and by species.
Grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is open to recreational anglers from may 1st until december 31 st. The gulf covers most of floridas west coast, from pensacola in the panhandle to the start of the everglades at the tip of the peninsula. Anyone commercially fishing for gag grouper must possess allocation and follow established protocols. Florida gulf gag grouper closures continue bdoutdoors. The gag grouper season in state waters, not including franklin, jefferson.
Red grouper are distributed from north carolina to brazil, including the gulf of mexico and the caribbean. Commonly known as grey grouper, these guys are a staple of reef fishing trips around the gulf and up the atlantic. Gag grouper will close to recreational harvest in gulf state and federal waters jan. 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. Angler boasts a big red snapper caught aboard a fishing charter with miss nautica in destin, fl. The same day, several species, including many grouper, will close to recreational and commercial harvest in. Gag grouper is managed under an individual fishing quota ifq program.
Reef fish florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020. Florida recently announced a regional recreation harvest season for state waters off the coast of franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties. Fishhawk charters carries a reef permit which qualifies for the 49 day red snapper season and grouper season. In federal waters, gag grouper which is also part of the shallowwater grouper complex will remain. Note that there are some species of grouper that are open year round. Gag grouper fall season opens in gulf 4county region fwc. Florida fishing calendar st pete beach fishing charters. Gag grouper gulf of mexico fishery management council. Recreational regulations florida fish and wildlife. 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. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on. The northern red snapper is a species of snapper native to the western atlantic ocean including the gulf of mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with reefs. Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper season. 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.
The gag grouper season in the remainder of gulf of mexico state waters and federal waters is open june 1 through dec. Zero bag limit for captain and crew of forhire vessels applies to gag, black, and. Florida lawmakers have since instituted certain rules to help in growing the population back to normal numbers. How to catch gag grouper in the fall and winter months anglr. Recreational and commercial fishermen are required to use dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species. Federal fishing regulations gulf of mexico fishery management. 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.
The species is most abundant along floridas east and west coasts, and throughout the gulf of mexico. Fishing for gag grouper in the gulf of mexico bradenton. The shrimp fishery is the most important fishery in terms of landings revenue in both the gulf and south atlantic. Gag grouper season open in certain florida grand view. The fwc approved new florida grouper regulations on february 10, 2016. Check out myfwc for the complete list of regulations. The gulf of mexico fishery management council manages fisheries in the federal waters of the gulf of mexico exclusive economic zone. Gag grouper season to open for recreational fishing in gulf. Offshore species, live on rocky bottom, commonly weigh up to and exceeding 100 lbs.
Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key. Seasons if no seasonal information is provided, the species is open yearround. The gulf covers most of floridas west coast, from pensacola in the panhandle to the start of. Pinkish in color, found offshore bottom fishing, can weigh up to 20 lbs. All species must be landed with head and fins intact. State waters in the gulf start from shore and extend out 9 nautical miles.
February fish closures for gulf, florida salt water. Four florida counties to open gag grouper season on april 1. 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. Fishing regulations and seasonal closures gulf of mexico. Atlantic state waters are from shore to 3 nautical miles. 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. Fishing seasons and species chart for southwest florida our fishing is excellent, and one of the many reasons is the exceptionally large number of species which regularly prowl our waters. The gulf of mexico is a unique body of water that provides commercial and recreational anglers plenty of fishing opportunities. Inline circle hooks, 10 to 30 for snapper, 40 to 80 for grouper bait. Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast hogfish and grouper season 3, episode 8 rtfs duration.
Grouper fishing florida s gulf coast the gulf of mexico is a unique body of water that provides commercial and recreational anglers plenty of fishing opportunities. The state of florida has an aggregate daily bag limit of four grouper per person. Several species are migratory and move with the gulf stream that flows around the gulf coast down into south florida and up along its east coast. Noaa sustainable fisheries division gulf of mexico branch, together with the gulf of mexico.
The new rules apply to black and gag grouper in the gulf waters of florida. A few small grouper are fun to catch and fight, and give notice of what the giants can do when hooked. The 2020 gag grouper season in the gulf of mexico for federally permitted charter boats opens june 1st till midnight december 31 2020. A lengthening of the gag recreational fishing season from july 1 december 2, to june 1 december 31. The same day, several species of grouper will also close to recreational and commercial harvest in. Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission subject. Gag grouper caught in state gulf waters from shore to 9 nautical miles out between april 1 and june 30 off the fourcounty open region can be brought to land on the gulf county side of indian. For gag grouper fishing in the gulf, its important to note what county youre embarking from. The season for all other gulf state and federal waters is june 1 through dec. Two catch share programs contribute to the landings and revenue of commercial fisheries in the gulf. Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper and snapper.
Grouper fishing in shallow water off floridas gulf coast. Florida gulf of mexico snapper and grouper bottomfishing. Angler kevin muldoon works the gulf of mexico from clearwater to venice fishing the bottom for grouper and snapper. Fwc says these further changes will make state protections consistent with gag and red grouper federal rules in. Offshore bottom fish found on wrecks and rocky reefs, commonly weigh up to 40 lbs. Fishing seasons and species chart for southwest florida. Increases in florida grouper gulf limits bdoutdoors. The minimum size limit for recreational harvest has been set at 24 inches. Uptodate fishing calendar for floridas gulf coast region. One of the fish we target in this area of florida most often is the grouper.
Over the years, red snapper has been overfished due to its inherent value. 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. Snappers groupers other reef fish coastal migratory pelagics shellfish. Grouper fishing charters clearwater fl fisheye sportfishing. Shallowwater grouper also find soft plastics hard to pass up. Only take what you are going to eat, and a lot of fish are better off as sportfish, even if.
The gulf of mexico fishery management council has chosen to increase the recreational minimum size limits for gag and black grouper from 22 inches total length to 24 inches total length. If landings reach the recreational acl, harvest will be prohibited for the remainder of the fishing year. 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. See what seasons and months are best for different types of fish. 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. Lots of scamp grouper, big snapper, and porgies are mixed in at that depth as well, reports capt. However, the most common grouper species that keys anglers are targeting are the black grouper, the gag grouper, and the red grouper. Gulf grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the gulf except off monroe county where atlantic rules apply. Gag grouper season will open june 1 for recreational fishing across.
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