Damn Good Gag Grouper Fishing Charters

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Gag Grouper Fishing Charters

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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
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Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Bradenton

Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

100% (9) Guided by Taylor
24 ft 1 - 12 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Gulf Breeze

Gulf Breeze Offshore Fishing

100% (19) Managed by Travis
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Pensacola

Bottom Fishing - 36' Yellow Fins

100% (8) Managed by Richard
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Run And Gun Destin - 26' Mako

100% (39) Guided by Zach
26 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore, Flats in Clearwater

Clearwater Classic

100% (6) Guided by William
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $600
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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 Key West

Dry Tortugas Trip

100% (51) Managed by Justin
35 ft 1 - 12 People From $3,750
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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

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great trip Taylor!! He was a great captain! We caught LOTS of fish. Super knowledgeable and such a pleasure to be around. We will definitely be calling him when we come back to Florida again. Top notch experience! Caught mackerel, trout, groupers, Jack fish, lady fish, lizard fish, catfish and we saw a dolphin. Thank you for a great experience!

    Laura Q. | November 24, 2025

    Trip: Inshore Fishing Charter Bradenton

  • ★★★★★
    Excellent day on the water with Logan and Austin. We will enjoy another day on the water with Logan and Austin in the spring. Both knowledgeable fishermen and great people.

    Earl S. | November 1, 2025

    Trip: 4 - 8 Hour Trips With Capt. Logan

  • ★★★★★
    We had the BEST time fishing with Captain Wayne and deck hand/first mate Corey. We caught tons of fish and had the most peaceful boat ride! Corey and Wayne were both the BOMB! Corey was so knowledgeable about the types of fish and was so quick to help and answer questions! Captain Wayne took us the some great fishing holes and made sure that we were safe! The worst part of the trip was when fishing time was over! We will be back!!!!

    Becky B. | August 29, 2025

    Trip: PCB Best Deep Sea Fishing 5 Stars

  • ★★★★★
    Captain Frank did a great job of putting us on fish. It was obvious he was committed to ensuring we had a great experience. His first mate Zack also worked hard for us. All in all a great 4 hours of fishing.

    Doug M. | August 7, 2025

    Trip: Islamorada Reef And Wrecks

  • ★★★★★
    Chris and his deck hand, Mike, were absolutely amazing! Put us on some great fish and were freakin awesome dudes. Super down to earth and made the trip very enjoyable. Will 100% be booking a trip with them again!

    Landon W. | August 7, 2025

    Trip: Gulf Of America Fishing! 🎣🎣

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