Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on the map below into a route. Plantation on crystal river, 9301 west fort island trail, crystal river, florida. Fishing regulations and seasonal closures gulf of mexico. Protect the critically endangered goliath grouper from killing in florida july 4, 2017 in the earlier part of the last century, atlantic goliath groupers were abundant from florida to brazil and throughout the gulf of mexico and caribbean sea. Both red and gag grouper can be caught on a wide variety of baits including trolled lipped plugs and natural bait like live pinfish, squirrel fish, squid, spanish sardines or any cut bait that you can get down to them. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission is considering opening up a. The annual nassau grouper closed season begins december 1, 2017 and runs until february 28, 2018. Anglers can harvest 2 gags within a 4 grouper aggregate gag, red, black. With a vast array of ever changing regulations, few season openers are as highly anticipated as grouper season in florida. Anglers targeting grouper in florida state and federal waters of the atlantic, including state waters off monroe county, will be able to take home some of their catch starting may 1, when the season for several species reopens to recreational and commercial harvest. Fishing in cedar key is good depending on what and where. Florida s fishing industry has dealt with its fair share of problems, with oil spills and grouper shortages. Hogfish recreational season closes nov 1 in florida keys.
Fwc considers opening up a limited season for the first time in nearly 30 years. Florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020 eregulations. Note that there are some species of grouper that are open year round. The commission is considering changes to state regulations that would add september 1. That was the word handed down by the florida fish and wildlife. Almost 30 people, mostly recreational anglers, took the survey at a florida fish and wildlife conservation commission public input hearing in a library meeting room in east naples. Reef fish florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state waters fwc. The reef grouper are still elusive but they are in 45 to 70 feet on live bottom areas.
Several species of gulf grouper red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth are closed feb. H spearing prohibited must remain in whole condition removal of gills and guts allowed. Florida s goliath groupers are worth more as friends than food. Yesterday while reef fishing we caught a limit of flag sized yellow tail snapper, and caught 4 groupers on the bottom with live bait. The debate on whether or not to open a taxable mini season for goliath grouper.
Definitely demonstrates why you should always be checking your surroundings. She offered tile fish instead which was actually very good but what the heck in all my years of coming to sanibel, i never realized grouper is a seasonal fish. Players can simply ask the retailer for grouper and the terminal will print four individual quick pick tickets for the next available drawing. Anglers grouper fishing in florida state and federal waters of the atlantic, including state waters off monroe county florida keys, will be able to take home some of their catch starting may 1, when the season for several species reopens to recreational and commercial harvest. In february 2017, a population assessment for red grouper in the south atlantic determined that the population is overfished the number of fish in the water is too low, undergoing overfishing fish are being removed too quickly from the population, and. The final rule establishes a commercial trip limit for red grouper harvested in the south atlantic federal waters of 200 pounds gutted weight. The gag grouper season shuts down january 1st, but we have been catching them in 40 to 60 feet of water. Nassau grouper, no possession or harvest is allowed.
One of the few usable clips from our outing for the opening of the atlantic grouper season 2017. Grouper is not in season in the state of quintana roo in mexico from february 1st, 2017 until march 31st, 2017. These eight hour trips are available only on the 35 foot contender as to cut down travel time and maximize the day for fishing. Florida keys grouper season 2019 for many, may 1st is just the start of spring, but for avid fishermen in the keys, may 1st means grouper season is open. Gag grouper season starts july 1st for most of floridas gulf coast. Noaa fisheries announces changes to management of red grouper. The answer to your question is best answered by copy we found on the official site of the great florida fish and wildlife state organization. Breef the bahamas reef environment educational foundation calls on everyone to respect the closed season and choose an alternative during the spawning period. I dont think it should be completely open season where you could. Where to see goliath grouper on floridas atlantic coast. Fishhawk charters carries a reef permit which qualifies for the 49 day red snapper season and grouper season.
Two commercial fishing seasons for snowy grouper with 70% of the commercial annual catch limit allocated to season 1 and 30% to season 2, with a transfer of remaining quota from season 1 to season 2. Florida recently announced that it will increase the recreational red grouper bag limit in gulf of mexico state waters excluding monroe county on december 30 from two fish to four. The fwc decided to not open a goliath grouper fishing season until more research into the health of the. However, the fwc will consider a potential limited gray triggerfish season for fall 2017 at an upcoming meeting in an effort to provide fishing opportunities to gulf anglers. See a video of a goliath grouper swallowing a shark whole here. Franklin, wakulla, taylor and jefferson counties are excluded from this opening because they have their own season from april 1june 30 and sept. Warsaw grouper, no possession or harvest is allowed. Florida goliath grouper catch reopen season fwc eat.
Season grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is open to recreational anglers from may 1st until december 31 st. Monroe county is excluded from this season because it follows the atlantic state season. Note that gag grouper season is different in taylor, jefferson, wakulla and franklin counties than the rest of florida gulf state waters. Apr 27, 2016 the 2020 gag grouper season in the gulf of mexico for federally permitted charter boats opens june 1st till midnight december 31 2020.
The gag grouper recreational harvest season in gulf of mexico state waters, not including franklin, jefferson, wakulla and taylor counties, opened june 1 and will remain open through dec. Grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is open to recreational anglers from may 1st until december 31 st. This is an annual closure and the season will reopen june 1, 2017. And, on january 1 the season for shallowwater grouper in atlantic state waters will close. The season is currently set to remain open through december 31, but could. Check back often to see whats running, fishing season updates, photos of the latest fishing trips and news about charter boat huntress. Aug 23, 2017 gentle giants of the sea congregate on floridas atlantic coast. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on. State waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties are open from april 1 through june 30 only and are not open during the june 1 through. This particular species of notorious bottom feeders are known. With 55 species to manage in just the snapper grouper complex alone, it can be difficult to keep track of when fishing is open or closed for certain species. State waters in the atlantic are from shore to 3 nautical miles out. Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state and all federal gulf of mexico waters june 1, and will remain open through dec. In the meantime, no hunting or eating grouper for us.
All of our boats are out today and all of them will be on the reef and the deep water ready to catch the tastiest fish in the ocean. Florida keys grouper season 2019 marathon islamorada key. Goliath grouper are anything but gentle giants for florida. Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state gulf of mexico waters and all federal gulf waters june 1, and will remain open through dec. Total length is the straight line distance from the most forward part of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together while the fish is lying on its side.
I dont think it should be completely open season where you could harvest a zillion of them, simmons said. Floridas goliath groupers are worth more as friends than food. When it comes to fishing during gag grouper season, we have all the information you need. Florida saltwater fishing regulations reef fish eregulations. Blueline tilefish, closed effective september 1, 2019.
Groupers fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Thunder coast custom spearguns is a custom speargun and diving accessories manufacturer and distributor. Gulf grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the gulf except off monroe county where atlantic rules apply. Hogfish recreational season harvest will close in state waters off floridas atlantic and southern gulf coasts nov. Grouper goliath fishing in south florida fishingbooker. Deep drop rigs line leaders hooks snapper grouper tilefish florida sport. With the new year comes several changes in florida saltwater fishing regulations. Fwc gathering input on changes to this season state waters off the coast of franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties will open to recreational harvest of gag grouper starting april 1. The 2017 recreational gag grouper season opened on june 1 in both florida state and federal waters in the gulf of mexico.
State waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties are not currently scheduled to open for gag fishing july through december. Jun 01, 2017 the 2017 recreational gag grouper season opened on june 1 in both florida state and federal waters in the gulf of mexico. We did catch 3 mutton snapper and a cobia on the bottom yesterday as we were not targeting grouper, but today. The fwc completed a stock assessment in 2016 and in 2017 directed staff to. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state. Protect the critically endangered goliath grouper from. Grouper season is limited, available now through sunday, june 25, 2017, at the lottery. Gag grouper are now out of season around the entire florida coastline. Does that mean i have been eating frozen grouper every march for 15 years. This closure includes all state waters south of cape sable, which is on the gulf side of florida, and up the atlantic coast. Ct april 20, 2017 local diver finis calvert with a nice red snapper he shot during last years florida state waters red snapper season. Florida goliath grouper catch reopen season fwc eat endangered. Monroe county state waters follow atlantic grouper rules. Closed season starts on the 1stbaby nassau groupers on the.
Gentle giants of the sea congregate on florida s atlantic coast. Feb 06, 2020 the final rule extends both the commercial and recreational red grouper spawning season closures january through april through the month of may, in federal waters off north carolina and south carolina. Jun 03, 2017 welcome to gag grouper season 2017 folks. Harvesting a grouper from florida keys waters becomes legal monday but taking a snook becomes a violation. Snapper aggregate bag limit within state waters of the atlantic and gulf, all species of snapper are included in a 10 fish per. Took our time getting to 60 feet but on the first spot we put 8 nice red grouper in the boat right off the bat. Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key west. The harvest of these species of grouper will remain open until december 31.
However, the most common grouper species that keys anglers are targeting are the black grouper, the gag grouper, and the red grouper. Jul 03, 2017 join in on the talk with all 9 regional captains, our experts to help plan your fishing this weekend. Myfishcount also allows anglers to report trips where anglers intended to fish but could not due to poor weather or other reasons. Fish key west florida as seen on espn grouper season open. Grouper season opening 2017 florida bahamas caribbean spearfishing. Closed season starts on the 1stbaby nassau groupers on. South atlantic snappergrouper fishery management plan noaa.
Gulf grouper aggregate bag limit all species of grouper in the gulf are included in a 4 fish per harvester per day aggregate bag limit in any combination of. Grouper fishing in the florida keys and key west is governed under the atlantic grouper fishing regulations pursuant to florida wildlife regulations. We sure wish the state would provide budgets so that fwc. Join in on the talk with all 9 regional captains, our experts to help plan your fishing this weekend. One of the very few usable clips from our outing for the opening of the atlantic grouper season 2017. By annie roth, graduate student, scientific communication. Once the season opens, most grouper species can be speared or caught on hook and line, as long as they are the allowable species and the correct length. Over 850 anglers made myfishcount member profiles and over 700 trips were reported using the app. Recreational regulations florida fish and wildlife. They said the massive fish lurks underwater, pouncing. This is a list of the in season actions related to the south atlantic snapper grouper fishery management plan, such as fishery closures or triplimit changes, that occurred in the 2020 calendar year. These species are closed annually during their spawning season from jan.
May 01, 2017 grouper season is limited, available now through sunday, june 25, 2017, at the lottery. Grouper fishing from a boat typically involves baits fished near the bottom, with heavy tackle and heavier to bring grouper to the surface. Yes gag grouper season is open and smoking hot and heres a few things to get you started. With grouper season about to close we got the kids out one last time. But as matthew seeger reports, an article from florida taxwatch exposes another problem ecological damage caused by a hungry little troublemaker known as the lionfish. Goliath grouper will not be open to harvest yet tcpalm. Fishing for black grouper in key west because of its size and its tendency to dart back into the rocks once hooked, the black grouper can be a bit of a challenge to land. The black grouper can occasionally be found in the north atlantic, theyre much more common further south in the florida keys, the bahamas, and the caribbean.
Mar 30, 2017 the gag grouper season in the remainder of gulf of mexico state waters is open june 1 through dec. The florida fish and wildlife conservation commission is considering opening up a limited goliath grouper season for the first time in nearly 30 years. Amberjack, triggerfish and gag grouper season changes in. Popular with anglers looking for grouper goliath fishing charters in south florida step aboard a sea born fx25, originally built in 2017 and powered by a 300 hp yamaha engine. Apr 20, 2017 state snapper season decided for florida published 6. Know your gag grouper season dates when you fish boat. Dec 22, 2011 florida recently announced that it will increase the recreational red grouper bag limit in gulf of mexico state waters excluding monroe county on december 30 from two fish to four. Gag grouper will close for recreational harvest in most gulf of mexico state waters and all gulf federal waters jan. The fish key west florida august 2017 fishing report. Anglers grouper fishing in florida state and federal waters of the atlantic, including. Gag grouper this is an annual closure and the season will reopen june 1.
The commission gave final approval on regulation changes to fishing for. For more information about thunder coast custom spearguns, getting your own custom gun or about any. Noaa fisheries announces changes to management of red. Destin harbor, destin, florida 32541 2017 the huntress charter fishing destin fl deep sea fishing in destin, fl. A proposal to reopen goliath grouper season for the first time in more than 20 years received overwhelming support in a survey fishermen took wednesday. Jan 05, 2017 with the new year comes several changes in florida saltwater fishing regulations. July 4, 2017 in the earlier part of the last century, atlantic goliath groupers were abundant from florida to brazil and throughout the gulf of mexico and caribbean sea. Snook season closes in all florida keys waters may 1 2017. At a top cruising speed of 53 knots, you will be handling your first catch before anyone else has left the dock. Imagine my surprise when the waitress told us that grouper is seasonal and we are now out of season.
Florida recreational saltwater fishing regulation chart. Grouper fishing regulations in the florida keys and key. Feb 03, 2017 will florida allow goliath grouper fishing. Term used by fishery managers to describe several species of fish that tend to live and are frequently. We did catch 3 mutton snapper and a cobia on the bottom yesterday as we were not targeting grouper, but today is a different story. Goliath grouper are anything but gentle giants for florida fishermen wvideo. July 1 december 31 all species must be landed with head and fins intact.