Damn Good Gag Grouper Fishing Charters

Check real-time availability and compare rates on gag grouper fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

Choose a Date
4.94/5 Average Rating

Damn Good Guides

Experts Available 24/7

100% Weather Guarantee

Top Cities for Gag Grouper Fishing

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Gag Grouper Fishing Charters

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Panama City

Luxury Sportfishing - Ballistic II

96% (27) Managed by Justin
57 ft 1 - 17 People From $1,500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

PCB Full Day Trip - 32' Scarab

100% (1) Managed by Eric
32 ft 1 - 4 People From $1,560
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in St. Petersburg

Book Hook Cook Experience EPIC

100% (21) Managed by Ron
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $3,499
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Mount Pleasant

Ocean Trophy Quest

100% (16) Guided by Tim
32 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,575
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in St. Petersburg

St. Pete Deep Water Bottomfishing

100% (2) Guided by Dan
28 ft 1 - 4 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Destin

Offshore Fishing Trip Destin

NEW Guided by Brady
52 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,400
See All Gag Grouper Trips

Everything to Know About Booking a gag grouper fishing charter

What are the best gag grouper fishing charters?

The best gag grouper fishing charters are:

What is a Gag Grouper?

Gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), also known as velvet rockfish or charcoal belly, are a member of the grouper family. They have a mottled-gray coloring with spots ranging from worm-like, boxy, or even “kiss-shaped” covering their stocky body and large head.

They are often confused with other members of their family, especially the black grouper. They can be most easily distinguished by their coloring, as well as the shape of their preopercle. The preopercle is the middle bone of the gill cover, which with gag groupers are noticeably notched with a very lobed appearance, whereas black groupers have a very rounded preopercle with no lobe below it.

Also, like many of their grouper family, they will use their swim bladder to make low grumbling sounds when they feel threatened.

How big do Gag Grouper get?

Over their average lifespan of 16 years, gag groupers can grow up to over four feet and weigh over 50 pounds. However, the average male grouper will reach maturity at eight years old at around 39 inches, and the average female will mature at age five to six, and at about 26 to 30 inches long.

Males over the age of the weight of 30 pounds are called black bellies, and are considered trophy catches.

What's the biggest Gag Grouper ever caught?

The world record gag grouper, according to the IGFA, weighed in at a whopping 80 pounds and six ounces. Caught in Destin on October 14th, 1993 by Bill Smith.

Smith was using mingo snapper as bait, and after a 20 minute fight, was able to wrangle in the mammoth grouper. He then took it to the Marina Point Destin, where they were able to officially weigh it in for the record.

Where is the best place to catch Gag Grouper?

Gag grouper can be found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. The highest north they are found is in Bermuda, North Carolina, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and sometimes juveniles will be found as far north as Massachusetts. Further south they can be found in Brazil.

They can be found either solitary or in groups of 5 to 50 fish in depths from 30 to almost 150 feet, often among oil rigs and reefs. They also will migrate in late winter to offshore spawning grounds as low as 230 feet.

When should I catch Gag Grouper?

Cooler weather brings gag grouper closer to shore, where they will spawn from January to March on the coasts of the Atlantic and within the Gulf. October through December will be a good time to catch them migrating inwards, and throughout the summer you will need to head to some deeper waters.

However, depending on the area you head towards, you will need to be wary of season closures. In Atlantic waters, the season is closed from January 1st to April 30th. In the Gulf (except for a select few states and counties), they are open from July 1st until December 2nd.

How do you catch Gag Grouper?

Of all methods, jigging is far and away the most effective way to catch gag grouper. Use depth sounders to find rocky outcrops and irregular bottoms where gags gather, and then anchor nearby to fish, or begin trolling. Recommended baits are live pinfish, frozen herring, squid, scad, porgies, sardines, smaller snapper, crabs, shrimp or grunts, the smellier the better.

Remember that gag grouper are strong, and have an instinct to bite and drag their prey into hiding areas within rocks and coral, making your line very susceptible to being cut. It is crucial to get the fish up off the ground as quickly as possible.

Are Gag Grouper good to eat? What are the best Gag Grouper recipes?

Gag groupers are an excellent fish to eat, often one of the favored groupers. They have a firm white flesh, with very little red. Many say that filleting and baking the grouper is the best preparation, and the less ingredients the better. Just some simple olive oil, lime, parsley, salt and pepper is recommended.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Chase and House were amazing!! Chase put us on great red snapper right out of the gate and House was more than accommodating. Literally can not say enough good things about this trip as a whole. The boat was a very comfortable size and exceptionally well appointed. The air conditioned cabin with a bathroom came in very handy for the little kids who gave out on fishing before everyone else. They had everything from a fridge and microwave to a grill out on the deck. We were an inexperienced group but with Chase and House helping out we managed to catch our limit in no time. Very hospitable and friendly people and we will absolutely be scheduling with them again. Thanks again guys!!

    Megan C. | June 14, 2025

    Trip: Orange Beach Bottomfishing Blast

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great experience! Bryan and his first mate took great care of us. Made sure to put us on fish quickly and adjusted the trip to take care of our son who got a little seasick.

    David R. | June 8, 2025

    Trip: 4 Hour Bottom Fishing - 38’ Custom

  • ★★★★★
    Fun time! Cap’n Nick worked hard to get us as many fish as we could.

    Marcus K. | June 5, 2025

    Trip: Tampa Bay Fishing - 22’ Aguasport

  • ★★★★★
    We had a fabulous time.. Chris was the best… thank you

    Sonni S. | June 2, 2025

    Trip: Destin Offshore Hook-Up

  • ★★★★★
    My family and I went out with Doug and his son Jon. it was a wonderful experience; the boat had a bathroom and air conditioning that is very hard to find on most fishing excursion boats. While Doug captained the boat his son kept all the rods baited and cast, all we had to do was reel them in. They knew exactly where to go, we caught plenty of fish and Jon filleted and cleaned them even advised us how to cook them. With their years of experience and knowledge I would only go with them again and advise anybody to do the same.

    Roy C. | June 2, 2025

    Trip: Pensacola Deep Sea Fishing

States

Cities

Other Fishing Species

Tour Species

Featured Cities

What's biting?

View Gag Grouper Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

See All Gag Grouper Trips