Gag

Inshore gag here are juveniles; the adult fishery is on reefs about 15 to 20 miles off St. Augustine (Florida Sportsman), beyond shore and nearshore range. Release juveniles.

Season in Northeast Florida

FWC: juvenile gag live in inshore seagrass beds; adults on offshore rocks and reefs. Off St. Augustine the gag fishery is on 65 to 80 ft reefs about 15 to 20 miles out, from late February or March into summer (Bolin, Florida Sportsman), which FishOS does not chart. Inshore months follow the juvenile pattern. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Rocky bottom, ledges, reefs and wrecks; juveniles around docks, oyster beds and grass in the estuary.

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

Inshore gag along the Atlantic coast are usually juveniles; release them. Rules differ by state and by federal season; see the regulations file. Florida Museum notes ciguatera has been reported but is very rare.

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

• Florida FWC: Where to Saltwater Fish (species and seasons by county, Nassau to Monroe) (Official source)
• NOAA Fisheries: gag grouper (Official source)
• Florida Sportsman (Frank Bolin, 2011): gag grouper on the 80 ft reefs off St. Augustine (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gag grouper (Official source)

All the fish of Northeast Florida