Gag Grouper Season Opened June 1st in St. Pete Beach

Gag Grouper Season Opened June 1st in St. Pete Beach

Table of Contents

Gag Grouper season has opened in St. Pete Beach! Since June 1st, locals and tourists have been enjoying the chance to hook onto a beast!


Our private deep-sea fishing charters provide a fantastic, bucket-list day out on the water. Advance booking is advised, as our remaining spots are going fast!

How to Book a Gag Grouper Fishing Charter in St. Pete Beach, FL?

To book a Gag Grouper Fishing Charter in St. Pete Beach, FL:

The Bucket-List Experience!

Think you’re tough enough to win a tug-of-war with one of the Gulf’s biggest Grouper? Prove it!

Gag Grouper season in St. Pete Beach means it’s time for a bucket list experience!

Our fishing charters are action-packed! Departing from St. Pete Beach, you’ll witness the local area from a unique perspective as we glide out to deeper waters.

On the way, we’ll lure in small fish, which we’ll later use as bait. Then, once we’ve arrived at the Gag Grouper hotspots, we’ll get to work!

With our bait and gear ready, you’ll use a variety of tricks to attract these incredible fish.

When they bite, your rod will bend and send your heart pounding!

Known for their strength, Gag Grouper are not for the faint of heart. Who knows, you might even catch a Goliath Grouper!!

Our Captains will be with you every step of the way on our private deep-sea fishing charters, providing you with expert advice… and a helping hand when you look like you’re about to get pulled over the gunnels of the boat.

Once the Gag Grouper surfaces, you’ll get a photo to show off for a lifetime! Let’s go fishing!

When is Gag Grouper Season in St Pete Beach, FL?

  • Gag Grouper season for recreational fishing in St. Pete Beach, Florida, opens between June 1 and December 31.
  • Minimum size limit: 24 inches total length
  • Bag Limit: 2 fish per person within the 4 Grouper aggregate bag limit which include: Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Black Grouper, Yellowfin Grouper, Yellowmouth Grouper, Scamp, Snowy Grouper, Yellow Edge Grouper and Warsaw Grouper
  • Must have a recreational fishing permit – such as by using a Florida fishing charter.
  • Must use non-stainless steel circle hooks if using natural baits.
  • At least one dehooking device is required to remove hooks.

Can You Eat Gag Grouper in Florida?

Yes! We’re allowed to bag two Gag Grouper per trip as part of our four Grouper aggregate.

One of the best things about Gag Grouper is their melt in the mouth taste!

The flakey, soft texture has a subtle flavor that is delicious with dressings, marinades and flavorings. Local restaurants in St. Pete Beach will be happy to prepare your Gag Grouper catch.

Why Gag Grouper?

You may have seen us rave about Tarpon and Red Snapper in recent months, so what makes Gag Grouper so great? Of course everyone has their favorite fish, but Groupers offer something unique.


Growing to around 5-50lbs, Gag Grouper provide both fight and fine dining in one species! They’re a favorite for fishing charter Captains throughout Florida.

Grouper is a big, thick-bodied fish that provides for meaty, big meals. As bottom dwellers, they’re usually found in deep-sea waters, but we’ve also had experience finding Gag Grouper spots in shallower waters.

Gag Grouper Appearance

  • Gag Grouper are also called ‘Gray Grouper’ due to their gray to light brown skin, with wavy dark markings. Some people describe it as ‘marbled’.
  • They also look very similar to Black Grouper, with the primary difference being a bone in their cheeks.
  • This bone, called the ‘preopercle’, is shaped like a boomerang. On Gag Grouper it’s angular with a serrated spur. On Black Grouper, the bone is rounded and even.
  • Long, compressed bodies.
  • Coloring varies with size – larger ones have darker tops and paler bellies. Smaller Gag Grouper are usually much lighter and have dark marks on their sides.

Gag Grouper Biology Facts

  • Gag Grouper grow slowly, up to over 50 lbs and over 3 ft in length!
  • Gag Grouper have been recorded living for over 30 years.
  • They begin life as females, before changing to males around the age of 8 (this is called ‘protogynous hermaphrodites’).
  • They release between 60,000 and 1.7 million eggs every time they spawn.
  • Feeding on a variety of small fish, shrimp, crabs and squid is their food source.
  • Sharks and other large fish species prey on adult Gag Grouper.

More Gag Grouper Facts

  • Adult Gag Grouper can be found in depths of up to 500 feet, alone or in schools as big as 50 fish!
  • Spawning season and peak spawning times vary throughout the region, with spawning aggregations offshore in winter and early spring.
  • Females form migration groups to head offshore to males when it’s spawning time.
  • The scientific name for a Gag Grouper is ‘Microlepis’ – meaning ‘Small Scales’, in reference to their very small scales.

St. Pete Beach Gag Grouper Fishing Report

Although Gag Grouper season is highly variable throughout the year, the general fishing report is as follows:

  • January: Closed Season
  • February: Closed
  • March: Closed
  • April: Closed
  • May: Closed
  • June: Closed
  • July: Good
  • August: Good
  • September: Great
  • October: Good
  • November: Fair
  • December: Fair

Where Is The Best Place to Catch Grouper in Florida?

St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach are among some of the best Gag Grouper fishing spots in Florida! Schools of Gag Grouper are found every summer a few miles from shore. But it’s not just about the fish!

The sub-tropical climate and unspoiled waters of St. Pete Beach make for ideal conditions for fishing fans, families and anglers of all skill levels.


Plus, St. Pete Beach and the surrounding areas have great waterfront choices when it comes to restaurants and bars to close out your unforgettable day!

Book a St. Pete Beach Gag Grouper Fishing Charter Now!

CALL or TEXT: (727) 433-4200 today to book a Gag Grouper fishing charter in St. Pete Beach!

Booking in advance is highly recommended, as we are set to sell out soon. Our remaining spots are going fast!

YACHTFISH provides private Gag Grouper Fishing Charters from St. Pete Beach. St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach and Tampa Bay.

Sharing is Caring...
Facebook
Twitter
Print
Pinterest
About the Author...
Social Media

Social Media

Related Posts...
Your St. Petersburg Fishing Charter Captain

GOOGLE REVIEWS
from our happy Guests

EPIC trip! We booked the 6-hour shark option out of St. Petersburg. Capt. Nick Diaz was excellent! We ended up with a giant Hammerhead Shark just shy of 10ft. That's exactly what we were hoping for!! Dragged her around from the boat for a while and then got her up... read more
Courtney McCord Avatar
Great day out on the water. Captain Patrick and Sam were dialed into the "secret spots" to fish as they grew up fishing these waters. We all had fun! Caught Trout, Snook, & Grouper
Nicole Metropulos Avatar
We had a great time. Captain Jessie was great. He really knew where the fish were
Nathan Danielson Avatar
My grandson is 13 and loves to fish. He took this Charter and had the time of his life. He caught a couple shark Stingray and some good eating fish. It was a lifetime experience for him and he would do it all over again. Pat and Sam took great... read more
Barb Szpara Avatar
Absolutely Amazing time I’ve been on lots of charters from Alaska to Florida . Captain Patrick and captain Sam worked so hard to get us on fish will Absolutely book again . You can tell they love to fish like fishing with buddy’s
Joe Christiansen Avatar
Captain Nick was awesome!! He went out of his way to make sure my wife and I had a good time
Jared Anderson Avatar
Took my son on charter while down for spring break. Awesome trip with captain Ethan. What a world class experience. Non stop action and would definitely recommend.
Sean Leininger Avatar
We had a great inshore trip with Ethan on 3/14/23. We didn’t spend the entire trip driving around and caught fish wherever we were. Personally, I think these trips are best when you have a captain that’s vocal and interactive. One that wants to have... read more
Wayne Webb Avatar
Patrick and Sam were awesome. Got us in the fish in no time. They were more than accommodating, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There were 5 of us on the boat besides them and everyone spent ample time reeling in the fish. Easily caught our limit. Thank again Patrick and Sam.... read more
Steve Lambert Avatar
Had a great day on the water. The boat was first class and offered a smooth ride. Our guide Martin was very knowledgeable and worked hard to get us on some fish.
scott smith Avatar