Florida grouper season dates, size limits, and bag limits change by coast, by species, and sometimes mid-year by executive order. Here are the current Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic rules for gag, red, black, scamp, and the rest, plus the gear you need on board.
Florida Grouper Season and Fishing Regulations
Florida Grouper Fishing Rules for Recreational Anglers
Florida grouper season dates, size limits, and bag limits differ between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, and they change often enough that last year's numbers can get you a ticket this year. Gag is the clearest example: its season is short, it is set each year by executive order or federal announcement, and it runs on different dates on each coast.
Grouper are some of the most popular fish in Florida, hard-pulling bottom fish that are also excellent on the table, and that popularity is exactly why the rules are tight. This page breaks down the current grouper seasons, size limits, aggregate bag limits, and gear requirements for both coasts.
The rules here reflect FWC's grouper regulations as checked in October 2026. Seasons are often set or changed by executive order, so verify current rules at myfwc.com before every trip.
Florida's Diverse Grouper Species: Know Your Target
Before heading out on your grouper fishing in Florida adventure, it's important to correctly identify your catch. Here are the key grouper species found in Florida waters:
Protected Grouper Species in Florida
Nassau Grouper: Harvest completely prohibited throughout all Florida waters due to population concerns.
Popular Harvestable Grouper Species in Florida Waters
Florida's waters hold several grouper species that recreational anglers can legally harvest under species-specific rules:
- Gag grouper: a favorite target and excellent table fare
- Black grouper: often confused with gag; see the identification notes below
- Red grouper: most common in Gulf of Mexico waters, with reddish-brown coloring
- Scamp: smaller, and highly prized for its eating quality
- Yellowfin grouper: identified by the yellow outer edge of the pectoral fins
- Yellowmouth grouper: recognized by the yellow around the inside and corners of the mouth
- Rock hind and red hind: smaller spotted groupers found on reefs
- Coney and graysby: small reef groupers that are legal to harvest
- Yellowedge and misty grouper: deep-water species
- Warsaw grouper and speckled hind: large deep-water species with vessel limits, and prohibited in Atlantic federal waters
- Snowy grouper: a deep-water species with a short Atlantic season
Sharpen Your Grouper Fishing Skills
Captain Dan Clymer reveals shallow water gag grouper tactics for Florida reefs. This video covers live bait selection, artificial lure techniques, boat positioning strategies, bottom fishing methods, trolling approaches, and casting techniques for catching grouper in 20 to 60 feet of water.
Grouper bottom fishing productivity depends on targeting natural reefs and wrecks where fish concentrate rather than random bottom. Kevin Adney's drift management approach keeps baits working productive structure zones systematically, but success requires understanding how current affects drift speed and positioning presentations where grouper ambush prey rather than sweeping past strike zones or hanging in barren areas between structure features.
Inshore gag grouper fishing in Florida's shallow waters demands finesse with light tackle using 10 lb braid or heavier setups with diving plugs based on conditions and structure. Captain William Toney's local expertise reveals when jig heads allow delicate presentations versus when diving plugs trigger reaction strikes, plus understanding tide and current effects on fish positioning requiring anchoring strategies for effective presentations.
Shallow water gag grouper demand casting lure approaches different from deep fishing because clear conditions allow fish to inspect offerings closely around structure. Captain William Toney's fourth-generation Florida expertise reveals which lure profiles and colors trigger strikes, how boat approach affects spooking wary predators, and technique for extracting powerful grouper from structure before they reach safety.
Required Gear for Florida Grouper Fishing
Grouper are reef fish, and Florida's reef fish gear rules apply whenever you fish for them. The requirements differ slightly between state and federal waters.
Required Gear for Gulf of Mexico Grouper Fishing
- Circle hooks: non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with natural bait. In state waters they must also be non-offset.
- Dehooking device: required on board.
- Descending device or venting tool: rigged and ready for use.
Required Gear for Atlantic Coast Grouper Fishing
- Hooks north of 28° N latitude: non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when fishing with natural bait.
- Hooks south of 28° N latitude: non-stainless steel hooks when fishing with natural bait.
- Dehooking device: required on board.
- Descending device: in state waters, a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use. In Atlantic federal waters, the rule lists a descending device on board and readily available.
These requirements exist to improve the survival of released grouper, many of which come up from depth with barotrauma. Check FWC's gear rules page for the full list before you fish.
Florida Grouper Bag Limits: Understanding Aggregate Restrictions
The most important concept in Florida grouper fishing is the aggregate bag limit: a cap on the total number of grouper you can keep per day, no matter which species make up the total.
- Gulf of Mexico: 4 grouper total per person per day
- Atlantic: 3 grouper and tilefish combined per person per day
Individual species limits sit inside those totals. In the Gulf of Mexico, for example, you can keep only 2 gag or 2 red grouper per person, and those count toward your 4.
FWC also requires participation in its State Reef Fish Survey to fish for grouper in Florida waters. Check myfwc.com for who needs to sign up and how.
Gulf of Mexico Grouper Regulations
These rules cover Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, excluding the state waters of Monroe County, which follow Atlantic rules.
Gulf Gag Grouper Regulations
- Gag grouper size limit: 24 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: 2 per person, within the 4-grouper aggregate
- Gag grouper season: short, and set each year by executive order to match the federal season. In 2026 it ran September 1 through 30, with harvest closed the rest of the year.
- Captain and crew: charter captains and crew may not keep gag
Gulf Black Grouper Regulations
- Black grouper size limit: 24 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: up to 4 per person, within the 4-grouper aggregate
- Season: open year-round in state waters. In federal waters, closed February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms, and "The Edges" area is closed January 1 through April 30.
- Captain and crew: in state waters, charter captains and crew may not keep black grouper
Gulf Red Grouper Regulations
- Red grouper size limit: 20 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: 2 per person, within the 4-grouper aggregate
- Season: open year-round in state waters. In federal waters, closed February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms, and "The Edges" is closed January 1 through April 30.
- Captain and crew: in state waters, charter captains and crew may not keep red grouper
Gulf Scamp Grouper Regulations
- Scamp size limit: 16 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: up to 4 per person, within the 4-grouper aggregate
- Season: open year-round in state waters. In federal waters, closed February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms, and "The Edges" is closed January 1 through April 30.
Other Gulf Grouper Species Regulations
Yellowfin grouper: 20 inches total length. Up to 4 per person within the aggregate. Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters, closed February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.
Yellowmouth grouper: 20 inches total length in state waters, no minimum in federal waters. Up to 4 per person within the aggregate. Same seasons as yellowfin.
Rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowedge, misty, and snowy grouper: no minimum size. Up to 4 per person within the aggregate. Open year-round.
Warsaw grouper and speckled hind: no minimum size. 1 of each per vessel per day, within the aggregate. Open year-round.
Atlantic Coast Florida Grouper Regulations
These rules cover Atlantic state and federal waters, including all state waters of Monroe County on both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico sides.
Atlantic Gag Grouper Regulations
- Gag grouper size limit: 24 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: 1 gag or black grouper per person, within the 3-fish aggregate
- Vessel limit: 2 gag per vessel per day, whichever is more restrictive
- Gag grouper season: opens May 1 in state and federal waters and closes when NOAA Fisheries projects the recreational catch limit will be reached. In 2026 it closed August 2, with FWC matching the federal closure announced in NOAA Fisheries' 2026 South Atlantic gag season bulletin.
- Captain and crew: for-hire captains and crew may not keep gag
Atlantic Black Grouper Regulations
- Black grouper size limit: 24 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: 1 gag or black grouper per person, within the 3-fish aggregate. In federal waters, a vessel limit of 2 black grouper per vessel per day also applies, whichever is more restrictive.
- Season: May 1 through December 31
- Captain and crew: for-hire captains and crew may not keep black grouper in federal waters
- Biscayne National Park: special regulations apply
Atlantic Red Grouper Regulations
- Red grouper size limit: 20 inches total length
- Daily bag limit: up to 3 per person, within the 3-fish aggregate
- Season: May 1 through December 31
- Biscayne National Park: special regulations apply
Other Atlantic Grouper Species Regulations
Scamp, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper: 20 inches total length. Up to 3 per person within the aggregate. Open May 1 through December 31.
Rock hind, red hind, coney, and graysby: no minimum size. Up to 3 per person within the aggregate. Open May 1 through December 31.
Yellowedge and misty grouper: no minimum size. Up to 3 per person within the aggregate. Open year-round.
Warsaw grouper and speckled hind: in state waters, 1 per vessel per day of each species, no minimum size, open year-round. In federal waters, harvest is prohibited.
Snowy grouper: no minimum size. 1 per vessel per day, within the aggregate. Open May 1 through June 6 in state and federal waters.
January through April closure: red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, and graysby are closed January 1 through April 30 in all Atlantic state and federal waters, including Monroe County state waters on both sides. Anglers who harvest these species in open federal Gulf of Mexico waters may return to a Monroe County port through closed Atlantic state waters if they go directly to port without stopping to fish.
Gulf vs. Atlantic Florida Grouper Regulations: Quick Comparison Table
Biscayne National Park: Special Florida Grouper Regulations
When grouper fishing in Biscayne National Park, in the Atlantic waters of Miami-Dade County, special regulations apply to:
- Black grouper
- Red grouper
- Rock hind and red hind
- Coney and graysby
These rules can be more restrictive than general Atlantic regulations. Check FWC's Biscayne National Park regulations before fishing in the park.
When does grouper season open in Florida?
It depends on the coast and the species. In the Gulf of Mexico, most grouper are open year-round in state waters, with a federal-waters closure from February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. Gulf of Mexico gag has its own short season set each year, which ran September 1 through 30 in 2026. On the Atlantic, most grouper are open May 1 through December 31, gag opens May 1 and closes when the catch limit is projected to be reached (August 2 in 2026), and snowy grouper runs May 1 through June 6. Seasons can change by executive order, so check myfwc.com before you go.
What is the minimum size limit for gag grouper in Florida?
24 inches total length in both Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters.
How many grouper can I keep in Florida?
In the Gulf of Mexico, 4 grouper per person per day in aggregate. On the Atlantic, 3 grouper and tilefish combined per person per day. Species limits inside those totals are lower for some fish, including gag.
Can I keep goliath grouper in Florida?
Only with a permit. FWC issues 200 goliath harvest permits each year by random drawing, with applications accepted October 1 through 15. Permit holders may keep 1 goliath between 24 and 36 inches total length from March 1 through May 31, using hook and line only, and must tag and report the fish. Several areas, including all federal waters, remain closed. See MyFWC.com/Goliath for the current program details.
What grouper fishing gear is required in Florida?
When fishing for grouper with natural bait, use non-stainless steel circle hooks (non-offset in state waters and in the Atlantic north of 28° N; south of 28° N on the Atlantic, non-stainless steel hooks of any type). Carry a dehooking device, and have a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready. In Atlantic federal waters, the requirement is a descending device on board and readily available.
Tips for Successful and Responsible Florida Grouper Fishing
Proper Identification for Similar Species
Many grouper look alike, especially as juveniles, and a misidentified fish can mean an illegal one. Gag and black grouper are the most common mix-up, and our Florida grouper species identification breakdown walks through the features that separate them. Scamp and yellowmouth are another pair to watch: yellowmouth carry yellow around the mouth. Nassau grouper, which are protected, have a black saddle on the tail stalk that red grouper lack.
Best Practices for Catch and Release
When releasing grouper:
- Use tackle heavy enough to keep fights short
- Keep fish in the water when you can
- Support fish horizontally when handling them
- Use a descending device on fish showing signs of barotrauma
- If a fish is hooked deep in the throat or gut, cut the line as close to the hook as you can instead of trying to remove it
Staying Current with Florida Grouper Regulations
Grouper rules change with stock assessments and are often adjusted by executive order mid-year. Before every trip:
- Check MyFWC.com for the latest regulations
- Check NOAA Fisheries for federal-waters seasons and closures
- Ask local bait shops or charter captains about recent changes
- Follow FWC's announcements for executive orders
Enjoying Sustainable Florida Grouper Fishing
Florida's grouper fishery is one of the state's most valuable marine resources. Knowing the Florida grouper season, size limits, and bag limits for your coast lets you fish it hard and fish it legally.
The rules on this page reflect FWC's regulations as checked in October 2026 and will change. Always verify current rules before you fish, at MyFWC.com or by calling the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Whether you are grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico or along Florida's Atlantic coast, careful handling and honest limits keep these fish abundant.
For more Florida regulations, see our breakdown of Florida mangrove snapper regulations.
To put these rules to work on the water, read our article on shallow water grouper fishing on Florida's Nature Coast.
Grouper Fishing Resources
Few experiences in offshore fishing match the raw power of a large grouper hooked tight to structure. Florida's wreck ecosystem holds multiple species at different depths and different sections of every wreck. Here is how experienced captains read that structure, select the right rigs and live baits, and win the fight before the fish reaches cover.
June grouper fishing in Florida's Big Bend reaches peak season with Captain William Toney's proven cut bait techniques. Learn why cut bait outperforms live bait for gag grouper in warm water, plus essential tackle setups and timing strategies for consistent Big Bend grouper fishing success this summer.
Reef fishing tactics for snapper, grouper, amberjack, and tilefish. Learn how to read bottom on your sounder, choose the right rig for the conditions, present bait at the correct depth for each species, and fight fish away from heavy structure. Instruction from captains who fish these reefs professionally.
A 4/0 hook that works on scamp gets straightened by a big black grouper on a ledge. Match the circle hook to the fish, the bait, and the law, and stop losing the grouper you worked to hook.
Crystal River, Florida offers unparalleled shallow water grouper fishing unlike anywhere else on the Gulf Coast. Trophy gag grouper thrive in waters as shallow as 8-10 feet, creating an accessible yet thrilling experience. October through December delivers peak action when cooling temperatures bring these powerful predators inshore, making this Florida's premier grouper destination.
Gag season in the Gulf of Mexico can be as short as a month, and Atlantic gag can close by summer. Know the season, the size limit, and the aggregate bag before you drop a bait on Florida grouper.
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