Essential Florida Grouper Fishing Rules for Recreational Anglers

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything recreational anglers need to know about Florida grouper regulations, including grouper size limits, seasonal closures, bag limits, and gear requirements for all harvestable species. By following these guidelines, you'll help ensure sustainable fishing practices while avoiding potential fines and penalties.

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

Goliath Grouper: Previously fully protected, now available for limited recreational harvest through the special Goliath Harvest Program. To target this massive species legally, you must obtain a permit through MyFWC.com/Goliath.

Popular Harvestable Grouper Species in Florida Waters

• Gag Grouper: A favorite target with distinctive markings and excellent food value
• Black Grouper: Often mistaken for gag grouper but with subtle identification differences
  
• Red Grouper: Commonly found in Gulf waters with a distinctly reddish coloration
  
• Scamp Grouper: Smaller but highly prized for exceptional taste
  
• Yellowfin Grouper: Easily identified by bright yellow fins and tail
  
• Yellowmouth Grouper: Recognized by the yellow coloration inside its mouth
  
• Rock Hind/Red Hind: Smaller grouper species popular among inshore anglers
  
• Coney/Grasby: Lesser-known but legally harvestable species
  
• Yellowedge/Misty Grouper: Typically found in deeper offshore waters
  
• Warsaw/Speckled Hind: Large, deep-water species with strict vessel limits
  
• Snowy Grouper: Another deep-water species with specific harvest restrictions
  

Essential Equipment for Florida Grouper Fishing Success

When grouper fishing in Florida, specific gear requirements must be followed to ensure compliance and promote fish conservation:

Required Gear for Gulf of Mexico Grouper Fishing

• Non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when fishing with natural bait
• Dehooking device for safely removing hooks
  
• Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use
  

Required Gear for Atlantic Coast Grouper Fishing

• When using natural baits north of 28° N. latitude: non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks
• When using natural baits south of 28° N. latitude: non-stainless steel hooks
  
• Dehooking device on board
  
• Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use
  

Florida Grouper Bag Limits: Understanding Aggregate Restrictions

• Gulf of Mexico: 4 grouper total per person per day
• Atlantic Ocean: 3 grouper/tilefish total per person per day
  

This approach prevents overharvesting while still allowing for a diverse catch. Remember that these limits apply to the total combined catch of all grouper species.

Gulf of America Grouper Regulations 2025

The Gulf of America (excluding Monroe County state waters) has specific recreational regulations for each grouper species. Here's what you need to know about grouper fishing in the Gulf:

Gulf Gag Grouper Regulations

• Florida Gag Grouper Size Limit: 24" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Florida Gag Grouper Season: The 2025 season is to be determined
  
• Special Notes: Charter captains and crew may not retain their limit
  

Gulf Black Grouper Regulations

• Black Grouper Size Limit in Florida: 24" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: Up to 4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: State waters: Open year-round. Federal waters: Closed February 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. "The Edges" area closed January 1-April 30
  
• Special Notes: In state waters, charter captains and crew may not keep their limit
  

Gulf Red Grouper Regulations

• Red Grouper Size Limit in Florida: 20" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: 2 per person within 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: State waters: Open year-round. Federal waters: Closed February 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. "The Edges" area closed January 1-April 30
  
• Special Notes: In state waters, charter captains and crew prohibited from keeping their limit

Gulf Scamp Grouper Regulations

• Florida Scamp Grouper Size Limit: 16" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: Up to 4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: State waters: Open year-round. Federal waters: Closed February 1-March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms. "The Edges" area closed January 1-April 30
  

Other Gulf Grouper Species Regulations

For Yellowfin, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind/Red Hind, Coney/Grasby, Yellowedge/Misty, and Snowy Grouper:

• Size limits vary by species (check the detailed tables below)
• Daily Bag Limit: Up to 4 per person within 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Most are open year-round in state waters
  

• No minimum size limit
• Daily Bag Limit: 1 of each per vessel within the 4-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: Open year-round
  

Atlantic Coast Florida Grouper Regulations 2025

The Atlantic regulations (including all state waters of Monroe County) differ significantly from Gulf regulations. Here's your guide to grouper fishing in Florida's Atlantic waters:

Atlantic Gag Grouper Regulations

• Florida Gag Grouper Size Limit: 24" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: 1 gag OR black within the 3-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Florida Gag Grouper Season: 

1. State waters: May 1-December 31 
2. Federal waters: May 1-June 25 See the Federal Bulletin

• Special Notes: Vessel limit of 2 gag per vessel per day; charter captains and crew prohibited from keeping their limit
  

Atlantic Black Grouper Regulations

• Black Grouper Size Limit in Florida: 24" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: 1 gag OR black within the 3-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: May 1-December 31
  
• Special Notes: Vessel limit of 2 black per vessel per day; special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park
  

Atlantic Red Grouper Regulations

• Red Grouper Size Limit in Florida: 20" total length
• Daily Bag Limit: Up to 3 per person within 3-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: May 1-December 31
  
• Special Notes: Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park
  

Other Atlantic Grouper Species Regulations

Most other Atlantic grouper species follow these general guidelines:

• 20" minimum size limit for Scamp, Yellowfin, and Yellowmouth
• No minimum size for Rock Hind/Red Hind, Coney/Grasby, and Yellowedge/Misty
  
• Daily Bag Limit: Up to 3 per person within 3-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: Most open May 1-December 31
  

• State waters: 1 per vessel per day of each species, no minimum size
• Federal waters: Harvest prohibited entirely
  

• No minimum size
• Daily Bag Limit: 1 per vessel per day within 3-grouper aggregate limit
  
• Season: State waters (May 1-June 30); Federal waters (May 1-June 8)
  

Gulf vs. Atlantic Florida Grouper Regulations: Quick Comparison Table

Biscayne National Park: Special Florida Grouper Regulations

When grouper fishing in Florida's Biscayne National Park, located in the Atlantic waters of Miami-Dade County, special regulations apply to:

Tips for Successful and Responsible Florida Grouper Fishing

Proper Identification for Similar Species

• Gag vs. Black Grouper: Gag has a distinct tail margin; black has square-edged blocks in pattern
• Scamp vs. Yellowmouth: Scamp has elongated tail rays; yellowmouth has distinctly yellow mouth
  
• Red vs. Nassau: Red has reddish color; Nassau (protected) has distinctive black saddle mark
  

1. Use appropriate tackle to reduce fight time
2. Keep fish in the water when possible
   
3. Support fish horizontally when handling
   
4. Use descending devices for fish showing signs of barotrauma
   
5. Cut the line close to the hook if the fish is deeply hooked
   

Enjoying Sustainable Florida Grouper Fishing

Seth Horne In The Spread,
Chief Creator