Gag

Season in Tampa Bay

Peak months: Jan, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Reel Coquina St. Pete chart: gag 3 stars January, October to December, 2 stars February to April and September, 1 star May to August (the chart notes gag harvest is closed part of the year). Much of this is a boat fish on hard bottom. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Mostly by boat on hard bottom and ledges; harvest closed much of the year (Reel Coquina).

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.

Recipes for gag

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

• Reel Coquina Fishing Charters (Capt. Pablo Koch-Schick, St. Petersburg), June 4, 2026: St. Pete monthly fishing calendar with star ratings and water temperatures (Angler knowledge)
• Florida Museum, Discover Fishes: gag grouper (Official source)
• NOAA Fisheries: gag grouper (Official source)

All the fish of Tampa Bay