Red Grouper

The red grouper is one of the most important species of fish caught off the southeast coast of the Unite States.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A RED GROUPER

Color is variable and can change, however the head and body are generally dark brown with a reddish cast, shading to pink or reddish below, with pale poorly defined pale areas and small black spots around the eye. The lining of the mouth varies from scarlet to orange. The soft dorsal, caudal and anal fins are dark with narrow white edges. This species is distinguished from Nassau grouper by its lack of a black saddle spot on the top of the tail just behind the dorsal fin and its straight first dorsal fin.

 

WHERE TO CATCH RED GROUPER

Red grouper occur in the western Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Bermuda with strays occurring as far north as Massachusetts. Juveniles may be found in shallow water, but adults are mainly found resting in potholes on, or edges close to, rocky flat bottoms in depths up to 1000 ft. Red grouper rarely occur around coral reefs. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

COASTAL WATERS                  MAN-MADE STRUCTURES

NIGHT FISHING                   ROCKY SEA FLOOR

JETTIES AND BREAKWATERS         MANGROVES

REEFS, WRECKS, AND SHOALS

 

HOW TO CATCH RED GROUPER

Like other grouper, the red is usually caught while bottom fishing with cut or live bait. Unlike other grouper that are associated with reefs, reds can be taken on relatively light tackle. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

DRIFT FISHING            BOTTOM BOUNCING      SALTWATER JIGGING

CHUMMING                 STILL FISHING

 

RED GROUPER LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

CUT BAIT     SALTWATER LIVE BAIT     SQUID     JIGS    SHRIMP