Big Bend Florida
Sportsman Guide
Fishing Tactics
Gag Grouper
The Gag Grouper is by far the most common grouper caught while
fishing the Big Bend area of Florida. They are normally found on
rocks and structure i.e. live bottom offshore. Nothing real hard
about catching them at all. They will eat just about anything put in
front of them when the bite is on. Pinfish, scaled sardines (fresh or
frozen), cut bonita strips, lizard fish, sand perch, and blue runners
are all popular and effective baits. The Mann stretch lures also work
great in the spring and fall and are one of the better ways of
covering lots of water and finding fish holding structure. Use circle
hooks 11/0 Mustads, leave the rod in the holder and let the fish hook
itself. Remember the battle is won in the first few seconds, either
you get the fish off the rock or he will cut you off.
Family
Serranidae, SEA BASSES AND GROUPER
Mycteroperca microlepis
Description: brownish
gray in color with dark worm-like markings on sides; strong serrated
spur at bottom margin of preopercle, less noticeable in large
specimens; fins dark, with anal and caudal having white margin. Often
confused with black grouper; tail of gag is slightly concave, black is
square; gag has white margin on anal and caudal fins, black does not;
under 10 pounds, gag's spur on preopercle is distinctive, where black
is gently rounded.
Similar Fish: black
grouper M. bonaci.
Where found: adults
OFFSHORE over rocks and reefs; juveniles occur in seagrass beds
INSHORE.
Size: common to 25
pounds.
*Florida Record: 71
lbs., 3 ozs.
Remarks: forms
spawning aggregations in water no shallower than 120 feet in Middle
Grounds area, January through March; current reseach to identify
similar aggregations off Atlantic coast is ongoing. Young gags are
predominantly female, transforming into males as they grow larger;
feeds on fish and squid.
* The Florida records
quoted are from the Department of Environmental Protection's printed
publication, Fishing Lines and are not necessarily the most current
ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.
Regulations
Min. Size Limits:
24" Atlantic & Monroe County, 22"
Gulf
Closed Seasons: None.
Daily Rec. Bag Limit:
2 per person per day Atlantic &
Monroe Cty. 5 per person per day Gulf
Remarks:
Included in 5 per person per day grouper
aggregate bag limits.
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