Fish guide
Gag
Mycteroperca microlepis. Also called Gag grouper, Gray grouper.
Showing the fish for Nature Coast and Big Bend, FL.
Season in Big Bend
Peak months: Oct, Nov.
Steinhatchee: grouper more active and in shallower hard-bottom areas in October; trolling plugs over hard bottom in September. Harvest seasons apply. (Our inference)
Season by region
| Charleston | JFMAMJJASOND |
|---|---|
| Georgia | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Northeast Florida | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Florida Keys | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Tampa Bay | JFMAMJJASOND |
| Big Bend | JFMAMJJASOND |
Where to find them
Shallow hard bottom off Steinhatchee in fall; troll lipped plugs or fish live pinfish, squid or sardines (Sea Hag Marina).
On the bottom near rock, ledges, reefs and wrecks; adults in groups of 5 to 50 or alone (Florida Museum).
What to look for
Ledges and hard bottom on the depth finder.
Bait
Live pinfish, Live pogies (menhaden), Live mullet, Pigfish, Cigar minnows, Threadfin herring, Grunts. .
Leader
Common mistakes
- Keeping small inshore gag; they are juveniles
Landing
Turn the fish up quickly before it reaches cover.
Handling
Unhook with pliers; release undersized fish quickly.
Keep or release
Check FWC open season in the regulations file.
Typical: unknown. Large: More than 3 ft and up to 50 lb (NOAA); maximum 4.75 ft and 80.5 lb (Florida Museum).
Limits
FishOS has not checked the FL limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before you keep a fish.
Sources
- Visit Natural North Florida, Sept 5, 2018: Steinhatchee fishing forecast for September and October (Capt. Rick Davidson, Sea Hag Marina) (Angler knowledge)
- Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gag grouper (Official source)
- NOAA Fisheries: gag grouper (Official source)
Is gag worth it today?
The planner rates it for your exact time with the live tide, weather and water temperature.
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