Head online and getting a fisherman’s forecast to save yourself some … Mycteroperca microlepis AKA: black grouper, gag Description: Gag grouper have long, compressed bodies and 11 to 14 rays in the anal fins.Their color varies and changes with the size of the fish. Also, conventional reels often have much higher line capacities, and since you're going to be fishing deep, you'll need as much line as possible. Click to Enlarge Picture of Gag Grouper. The State Reef Fish Survey replaced the Gulf Reef Fish Survey on July 1, 2020. If you're looking for a new fishing challenge that yields delicious results, use these tips on how to catch big grouper to make your next fishing trip more successful. This rig will catch a variety of species, including grouper. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 1. Spawn between January and May with some of the more tropical species spawning year-round. Bridling is a live bait rigging technique used by offshore anglers fishing for big game — marlins, tunas, sharks, etc. Gag Grouper are found near structure – any wreck or rocks, drop offs and steep walls around 50-60 feet deep are great places to find them. How-To Catch Articles and Videos, Where's the Bite, Regulations, and more! If you're going after grouper, it's possible that you'll be wrestling with a fish that weighs more than you. Grouper are found in abundance in the Gulf of Mexico, along the Atlantic Coast, and throughout the Caribbean, providing anglers with a wealth of opportunities to catch one of the tastiest fish in the sea. I realized there are abundant population of gag grouper there. Load up your conventional reels with heavy line, bridle rig your live baits, and don't forget to use circle hooks. While you can catch smaller grouper with spinning gear, conventional offshore tackle is what you need to catch the biggest grouper. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This could be anything from the shipping channels inside the bay to rock piles and ledges in the gulf. Doing even a few minutes of research can save you tons of time and frustration. Large gag are dark brownish-gray above and paler below, with traces of dark wavy markings on the sides. Tips For Inshore Gag Grouper & Quick Ways To Know If A Flat Has Redfish; How To Catch 24X More Inshore Saltwater Fish (Easy 10-Minute System) To see what Todd was talking about in action, check out this video from one of their epic days on the water. Plan Ahead. While you can catch smaller grouper with spinning gear, conventional offshore tackle is what you need to catch the biggest grouper. To catch big, heavy, powerful fish, your gear better be up to the task. Additional Grouper Resources. This one little trick could mean the difference between a grouper actually getting hooked or just stealing your bait. Share your gag fishing experience. Here are 5 easy tips to teach you how to catch Grouper in absolutely no time. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. There are times when artificial lures work great for catching grouper, but you'll have more success if you show up prepared with the freshest live bait you can find. Deep trolling large lures or jigs with a strip bait is popular in the Gulf of Mexico. State Record: 80 lb 6 oz, caught near Destin. Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) – Also known as just gag, gagger, charcoal belly, and I heard it called “Velvet Rockfish” one time by an old-timer. This keeps the entire hook exposed which greatly increases your hook up rates. How to Catch Gag Grouper: Live Bait and Cut-Bait. The leader is long, sometimes five or six feet long. This is – literally – our biggest tip for you. The more popular groupers include black, gag, red (AKA red hind), Warsaw, snowy, strawberry, Nassau, yellowfin, broomtail, and goliath, the largest of them all, capable of growing to 600 pounds. Both the commercial and recreational fishing seasons are closed from January through April to protect all shallow-water grouper during their spawning season. Members of the sea basses family, they are shaped much like a freshwater black bass. Fold in 1/2 and lay on a baking/cookie sheet. These are powerful fish when hooked, and heavy gear is required to prevent the fish from taking your line with him into a hole or under a ledge. Also, conventional reels often have much higher line … For bait we will use cut bait or live pinfish, threadfins and squirrelfish. Click here for the full course special offer: https://goo.gl/RQSfS9 In this video, Capt. Juvenile fish can be found on inshore grass flats and shoals. They can be caught on fresh cut bait like mullet or pinfish. The future of fishing shows (lots of change coming these next 5-10 years!) Gag are a fairly well researched grouper. Many young gag spend their first summer on oyster reefs feeding on small shrimp and other creatures. Grouper are required to be 24 inches to retain and the bag limit per … Holding your live baitfish in one hand, pierce the sharp end of the bridling hook through the baitfish, either just in front of the dorsal fin or just in front of the eyes. Snapper are good at 40 to 60 feet, oil rigs in shallow water to... Actually getting hooked or just stealing your bait 1, 2020, 2020 's Gulf coast, there rock... Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico northward to New England most catches are in. Snapper are good at 40 to 60 feet, 2020 takes you bait, either squid or fish... 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