Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper season. Florida saltwater fishing regulations reef fish eregulations. This new fall season was approved at the florida fish and wildlife conservation commissions fwc july meeting and is in addition to. 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. Fish key west florida as seen on espn key west grouper. Recreational and commercial harvest of lane snapper in gulf of mexico state and federal waters closed dec. Uptodate fishing calendar for florida s gulf coast region.
Feb 03, 2017 jim waymer, florida today published 2. Grouper numbers seem to have gradually increased since a nasty, lingering red tide outbreak in 2017 2018 did considerable damage to their stocks. Red grouper framework action gulf of mexico fishery. Grouper fishing gulf of mexico reef fishing clearwater reef. 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. They are latematuring, longlived, toplevel predators found in the gulf of california and the.
Anglers can harvest 2 gags within a 4 grouper aggregate gag, red, black. The gulf of mexico fishery management council manages fisheries in the federal waters of the gulf of mexico exclusive economic zone. The naplesmarco island area has terrific beaches and beach fishing. In february, they petitioned the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission to allow a limited open season on the goliath. They are also known to prey on juvenile hammerhead sharks. Snappers fwc florida fish and wildlife conservation. Warsaw grouper gulf of mexico fishery management council. Note that gag grouper season is different in taylor, jefferson, wakulla and franklin counties than the rest of florida gulf state waters. Grouper is not in season in the state of quintana roo in mexico from february 1st,2017 until march 31st, 2017. Many species are managed using seasonal closures to protect spawning aggregations of fish. Reef fish florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020.
The management boundary line is 25 degrees 9 minutes north latitude a line due west of cape sable. Dry tortugas snapper and grouper season 5, episode 10 rtfs duration. Gag grouper will close for recreational harvest in most gulf of mexico state waters and all gulf federal waters jan. Florida state waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles out and are managed by the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc. Recreational anglers are encouraged to use electronic charting equipment to plot the 20fathom break by entering the established coordinates listed on. Although it has been reported in the west indies, it appears to be rare there. Noaa fisheries announces the 2017 recreational red snapper. And, on january 1 the season for shallowwater grouper in atlantic state waters will close. Grouper fishing in shallow water off floridas gulf coast. Florida fishing calendar offshore hustler fishing charters. Gag grouper closed for recreational harvest in most gulf of mexico state.
Even though some of these species are seasonal in their presence, there are always many that are available and feeding. 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 minimum size limit for gag grouper is 24 inches total length, and the daily bag limit is two fish per harvester within the fourfish grouper aggregate bag limit. Apr 20, 2016 reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper and snapper season 6, episode 12 rtfs duration. See what seasons and months are best for different types of fish. Above that, i have a 4 to 8ounce slip sinker on a 12inch leader of 300pound monofilament. Nov 07, 20 shallowwater grouper also find soft plastics hard to pass up. Shallowwater grouper also find soft plastics hard to pass up. Florida gulf grouper recreational season closes feb.
Hogfish recreational season closes nov 1 in florida keys. Fishing regulations and seasonal closures gulf of mexico. Fishing seasons and species chart for southwest florida our fishing is excellent, and one of the many reasons is the exceptionally large number of species which regularly prowl our waters. Snook season closes in all florida keys waters may 1 2017. Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper and snapper season 6, episode 12 rtfs duration.
The species is now considered rare and endangered due to expanded fishing pressure. Atlantic grouper and atlantic hogfish seasons reopen may. 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 species. Having a boat docked so close to the gulf of mexico contributes to lower fuel consumption and shorter. The 2017 gulf of mexico federal red snapper recreational seasons open for the. Ct april 20, 2017 local diver finis calvert with a nice red snapper he shot during last years florida state waters red snapper season. 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. Florida keys grouper season 2019 marathon islamorada key. The gulf side gets a 40 day season and we get 2 windows with 25 mph ne winds. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state waters fwc. This is an annual closure and the season will reopen june 1, 2017. Reel time florida sportsman gulf coast grouper season 4.
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. Annual shallowwater grouper spawning season closure january 1 through april 30, except for red grouper in federal waters off the coasts of north carolina and south carolina, which remains closed until june 1. The gulf has fairly calm water most of the year except for our new 11 month recent hurricane season. Florida gag grouper 2017 fall season approved in gulf 4county region by tbc press on 071217 the florida fish and wildlife conservation commission fwc approved lengthening the gulf of mexico gag grouper recreational season in state waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson and taylor counties by opening the season sept. The gulf coast of florida offers some of the best grouper fishing around. The season for all other gulf state and federal waters is june 1 through december 31. Sunday january 1 greater amberjack season will open for recreational harvest in all gulf of mexico waters. The commission is considering changes to state regulations that would add september 1 december 31 to the recreational harvest season for gag grouper all waters of franklin, wakulla, jefferson, and taylor counties, including 19043736 65 2017 vol. Gulf grouper regulations apply to all state waters of the gulf except off monroe county where atlantic rules apply.
Dec 21, 2016 gag grouper will close for recreational harvest in most gulf of mexico state waters and all gulf federal waters jan. This species of grouper is a uniform dark reddishbrown color to black on its back and sides. Mar 27, 2017 sarasota, florida steve with a nice red grouper we normally hop aboard our boat at marina jack on sarasota bay. Gulf grouper are large fish that live in shallow, coastal areas during their first 2 years of their life, before moving on to rocky reefs and kelp beds. The 2020 gulf red snapper season for anglers fishing from private recreational vessels will be june 11 july 25 45. Hogfish recreational season harvest will close in state waters off floridas atlantic and southern gulf coasts nov. 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. The gulf of mexico fishery management council will make at least one more attempt at regional management of the red snapper fishery. Fwc staff is gathering input on a limited fall 2017 season in state waters that could provide harvest opportunities to anglers. Warsaw grouper is found in the western atlantic from massachusetts to florida, within the gulf of mexico, and south to venezuela and sao paulo, brazil.
Several species are migratory and move with the gulf stream that flows around the gulf coast down into south florida and up along its east coast. The fwc decided to not open a goliath grouper fishing season until more research into the health of the. The king of the reef catch clean cook black grouper florida keys fishing. This closure includes all state waters south of cape sable, which is on the gulf side of florida, and up the atlantic coast. Florida gulf of mexico snapper and grouper bottomfishing. Kings will be fun, the reds, trout and flounder are great in the creeks, but these restrictions on the most prevalent fish in our 1025 miles off fishery is a real bummer. This species of grouper is a uniform dark reddishbrown color to. The marina is located in downtown sarasota only a couple miles from the gulf of mexico. Snapper are managed differently in the gulf versus the atlantic and in state versus federal waters.
Florida saltwater fishing regulations 2020 eregulations. Noaa sustainable fisheries division gulf of mexico branch, together with the gulf of mexico. 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. Keyseast florida stock of hogfish in the south atlantic and gulf of. Monroe county is excluded from this season because it follows the atlantic state season. Several species of gulf grouper red, black, scamp, yellowfin and yellowmouth are closed feb. The final season will be approved at the february 2020 commission meeting. Federal fishing regulations gulf of mexico fishery. Gulf grouper are also likely protogynous hermaphroditic, which means that they mature as females and later transition into males. 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. Federal season length and the average state season length for west florida. During this closure, anglers can harvest grouper in open federal waters of the gulf and return to port in monroe county by traveling through closed state waters of the atlantic as long as the vessel proceeds. While grouper season has closed, gulf fishermen can now keep greater amberjack. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state.
Its a big bait, and you can let it sink right by a groupers nose and then twitch it. The gulf of mexico gag grouper recreational season in state waters off franklin, wakulla, jefferson, and taylor counties will be open for harvest september 1, through december 31. Now florida fishermen want to strike back at the goliath grouper. Gag grouper season starts july 1st for most of floridas gulf coast. These eight hour trips are available only on the 35 foot contender as to cut down travel time and maximize the day for fishing. Egmont key is one of the most interesting islands on floridas gulf coast. Gag season starts june 1 in gulf federal and most state waters may 30th, 2017 last update. Inline circle hooks, 10 to 30 for snapper, 40 to 80 for grouper bait.
The purpose of these rule amendments is to address state rules for reef fish species that are not federally managed. New fall season for gag grouper fin and field blog. Florida recreational saltwater fishing regulations tournament. See the dates when recreational anglers can fish for gulf of mexico red snapper in florida waters. Grouper fishing gulf of mexico reef fishing clearwater reef out on the reef. The 2017 recreational gag grouper season opened on june 1 in both florida state and federal waters in the gulf of mexico.
Due to the 2016 federal quota being exceeded, the gulf recreational gray triggerfish season has been closed in state and federal waters for all of 2017. Fishhawk charters carries a reef permit which qualifies for the 49 day red snapper season and grouper season. Several species of grouper, including black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind will close to recreational harvest from feb. Federal register snappergrouper fishery of the south. The gulf grouper is in a limited range and is severely declining through the gulf of california, mexico. State snapper season decided for florida published 6. Sep 03, 2017 grouper fishing gulf of mexico reef fishing clearwater reef out on the reef. Florida gag grouper 2017 fall season approved in gulf 4. Seasons if no seasonal information is provided, the species is open yearround. Fishing seasons and species chart for southwest florida. Sarasota, florida steve with a nice red grouper we normally hop aboard our boat at marina jack on sarasota bay.
As such, the 2018 quota is distributed across the 2017 2018 fishing year, the 2019 quota is distributed across the 20182019 fishing year, and the 2020 and beyond quota will be distributed for each subsequent fishing year, which now begins on august 1. Gulf grouper aggregate bag limit is 4 fish which means that no harvester can retain more than 4 gulf grouper in any combination of species. Increases in florida grouper gulf limits bdoutdoors. Goliath grouper are anything but gentle giants for florida. Several species of atlantic grouper red, black, yellowfin, yellowmouth, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney and graysby are closed jan. Uptodate fishing calendar for floridas gulf coast region. Gulf 4 per harvester grouper, scamp minimum size limits. Adult gulf grouper gather in large groups to reproduce once per year. Grouper fishing reopens may 1 in the florida keys 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. For the recreational sector, red grouper harvest is managed with seasonarea closures, a minimum size. Amberjack, triggerfish and gag grouper season changes in. Female gulf grouper become sexually mature when they are 6 years old.
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