Black Grouper - The black grouper is one of the Florida Keys prized game fish. This large marine fish can grow up to 100 pounds, but mostly you will find fish in the 20-60 lb range. They have a dark skin with black and brassy spots that run along their body. They are typically found on locations with bottom structure; such as reefs, wrecks and drop offs. They are perhaps one of the tastiest fish found in the Florida Keys, and just about every restaurant carries a dish or two of this delectable fish. The black grouper is a solitary fish that feeds on just about anything it can inhale; including fish, shrimp, and lobsters. Fishing for black groupers is always action pack; once you hook a black you need to put the heat on him otherwise he will “rock you up”. That is, get you tangled on the bottom our wreck and eventually breaking you off. Typically, you fish for these game fish with live or dead baits with heavy leader and tackle. We use Shimano Taiga 50’s with medium duty custom rods. During the winter months in Key Largo you can catch smaller black groupers in the shallow patches while trolling at slow speeds with an assortment of artificial lure rigged with and without bait. Black grouper can be caught year round in the Florida Keys.
Gag Grouper – The gag grouper is very similar to the black grouper and is often confused with the blacks. They are not as dark and have less noticeable patterns on their body. The gag grouper doesn’t grow as big as its cousin. Normally these fish are found North of Key Largo, but we do catch are share here in the Keys. Typically these fish are found in the same locations and their diets are very similar to other groupers.
Red Grouper – The red grouper is a brownish red with unorganized patterns on its body. The red grouper doesn’t grow nearly as big as the black or gag and is a bottom dwelling fish, usually found on hard bottom, while younger fish can be found on the patches and inner reefs of Key Largo. Their diet consists of the same as the black and gags groupers, and is perhaps one of the easy groupers to catch. Fishing for these game fish, usually involves dead bait on a leader with the appropriate amount of weight.
Snowy Grouper -
