Red Grouper

Season in Big Bend

Peak months: Oct, Nov.

Steinhatchee: red and gag grouper in season in September and taken in shallower hard-bottom areas in October. Off Charlotte Harbor red grouper sit in 60 to 100 ft, too deep to chart there. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Shallow hard bottom off Steinhatchee in fall, live or cut bait (Sea Hag Marina).

Rests on the bottom near ledges and holes it digs out; eats any convenient prey, swallowing it whole (NOAA, FishBase).

What to look for

Low ledges and dug-out holes on hard bottom.

Bait

Live or cut sardines, Cut squid, Ballyhoo. Knocker rig: 1 to 2 oz slip sinker sliding down to a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook (Florida Sportsman)..

Leader

Common mistakes

• Letting the fish reach its hole after the bite

Landing

Lift hard right after the bite to keep it out of the rocks.

Handling

Unhook with pliers; release undersized fish quickly.

Keep or release

Check FWC rules in the regulations file.

Recipes for red grouper

Typical: About 20 in (50 cm) is a common length (FishBase). Large: Up to almost 50 in and over 50 lb (NOAA).

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)
• Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach: January 2026 fishing forecast for Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf (Angler knowledge)
• NOAA Fisheries: red grouper (Official source)
• FishBase species summary: Epinephelus morio (red grouper) (Official source)

All the fish of Big Bend