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Gag Grouper

Florida targeted fish

Gag Grouper

Mycteroperca microlepis · gag, charcoal belly

Nearshore ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom in 20–80 feet, plus the deeper gulf in summer.

Season on this coast

Nearshore gags in cooler months; the offshore bite depends on the federal/state season.

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  • Slow
  • Fair
  • Good
  • Prime

How to fish them

Anchor uptide of a ledge and drop a live pinfish. When they are shallow in winter, heavy jigs along rock piles off the beaches also score. Horse them off the bottom immediately.

Typical size. Legal fish start at the current FWC minimum (often 24 in+). Quality fish 10–20 lb.

Bait

  • Pinfish
  • Grunt
  • Large swimbaits
  • Live sardines

Regulations

Gag is one of the most tightly managed gulf fish. Seasons open and close — do not guess. Confirm state and federal rules the morning you leave the dock.

Captain’s brief

What’s biting, and where to start

Sign in and ask for a one-page briefing for a city, a month, and a target fish. Written for this coast — not a generic chatbot.