Epinephelus morio
Common grouper species in Gulf waters. Reddish-brown coloration.
Year-round fishing available. Spring and fall transitions are most active.
Bottom fishing with live baitfish around structure. Vertical jigging. Slow-crawled soft plastics near bottom.
20" minimum, grouper aggregate bag limits apply.
Fish structure in 40–100 feet of water. They school — multiple fish at same spot.
Curated picks for Red Grouper fishing in Florida
Reliable, tough conventional reel for offshore bottom fishing.
Red grouper live on structured bottom 40–200ft — you need a quality conventional.
Cut squid is universally effective on grouper and most reef species.
Red grouper respond to scent — squid drifted to the bottom rarely goes untouched.
Lightweight circle hook ideal for finesse bottom presentations.
Circle hooks are required on federally managed grouper — self-setting means fewer dropped fish.
Heavy egg sinkers to pin your bait on the bottom in current.
Red grouper sit tight to the bottom — your bait has to be right on the structure.
